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THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS 



probably tlie most accommodating of all the Golden Grymnogrammes as regards 

 temperature, as it makes itself at home equally in a good greenhouse or in 

 a stove. Its fronds, also, are produced in greater abundance than those of 

 most other G-ymnogrammes, and are of a bright -shining green above, which 

 forms a very pleasing contrast with the yellow colour of their under-side. 

 It is a native of Peru. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 105. 

 Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, i., t. 4. 



G. t. Steltzneri— Steltz'-ner-i (Steltzner's), Koch. 



In this variety the fronds are more elongated, frequently 2ft. long, and 

 flaccid ; the leaflets, which are set a little distance apart, are narrow-spear- 

 shaped, and their under-side is thinly covered with a coating of dark yellow 

 powder. The extremity of the frond and that of the leaflets are frequently, 

 though not regularly, forked or even shghtly crested. The most distinctive 

 character, however, resides in the nature of the stalk and rachis, which are 

 covered with short, brown hairs. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 385. 



G. (Eugymnogramme) tomentosa — Eu-gym-nog-ram'-me ; to-men- 

 to'-sa (tomentose, woolly), Desvaux. 

 A stove species, native of Brazil and Peru, somewhat resembling G. rufa, 

 from which, however, it is readily distinguished through its fronds, 6in. to 

 12in. long, being invariably bipinnate (twice divided to the midrib) when 

 fully developed. These fronds are borne on firm, erect stalks 6in. to 12in. 

 long, of a chestnut-brown colour, and densely covered with reddish-brown 

 hairs. The upper leaflets, which are distinctly stalked, are rounded or heart- 

 shaped at the base, and entire or lobed ; the lower ones, Sin. to 4in. long, 

 are furnished with several i^innules (leafits) of similar shape. The texture 

 is soft and papery, and the copious sori (spore masses), which are very 

 narrow, obliquely branched, and of a reddish-brown colour, extend all along 

 the veins of the under- surface. — Hooler, Species Filicum, v., p. 144. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 105. Loive, Ferns British and Exotic, i., t. 6b. 



G. (Leptogramme) Totta — Lep-tog-ram'-me ; Tot'-ta (from Hottentot 

 Country), Schlechtendahl. 

 This somewhat strong-growing and very distinct, stove species, also 

 known as G. Lowei, has a very wide range of habitat, being a native of Cape 



