G YMNOGRA MME. 



267 



collections. Its beautiful fronds, deltoid and quadripinnatifid (in shape of 

 the Greek delta, A, and four times divided half-way to the midrib), are borne 

 on glossy stalks 6in. to 9in. long and of a bright chestnut-brown colour ; 

 they are about 1ft. each way, their lower leaflets, which are the largest, 

 being about 6in. long and again divided into overlapping pinnules (leafits), 

 which, in their turn, are cut into simple or forked segments (Fig. 68). These 

 fronds are of a thin, papery texture, and of a dark shining green above, 

 while their under- side is sUghtly dusted with white farinose powder, which 

 extends along the stalks and to the crown of the root. The sori (spore 

 masses) are disposed one to each ultimate segment. G. Pearcei is a gem 

 among the genus. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. SS-i. Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, ii., p. 105. 



G. P. robusta — ro-bus'-ta (stout, strong), Moore: 



Like the original species, from which it is an accidental seedHng, this 

 variety has somewhat deltoid fronds of a dark green colour and very finely 

 cut, but narrower at the base and more elongated towards the summit : in 

 other respects it is larger in all its parts. The lower portion of the stalks 

 and the crown itself are covered with white powder. Unlike most Grymno- 

 grammes, which have but a single crown, this variety forms a tuft of crowns 

 at the apex of the short stem, from which many stalks arise, giving the plant 

 a denser habit and the appearance of being better furnished than the original 

 type. Though this plant has been in cultivation for many years, it has never 

 been known to produce spores. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iv., p. 550. 



G. (Eugymnogramme) pedata— Eu-gym-nog-ram'-me ; ped-a'-ta (footed, 

 having feet), Kaulfuss. 

 A very distinct, stove species, easily distinguished by its pedate habit, 

 native of Mexico and Guatemala. Its fronds, produced from a creeping 

 rhizome (prostrate stem), and borne on fragile, glossy, chestnut-brown stalks 

 Gin. to 12in. long, are 4in. to Gin. each way. The lower leaflets are much 

 the largest ; the upper ones are spear -sha|)ed, with narrow-oblong, entire 

 or slightly -toothed lobes of a thin, papery texture ; both surfaces are slightly 

 hairy, especially on the midrib. The sori (spore masses), which are 

 confluent, form a conspicuous band just inside the margin. — Hooker, Species 

 Filicum, v., p. 131. 



