282 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



addition of one part of chopped sphagnum. It is essential, on account of the 

 few roots which they produce, that these plants should be kept in pots of 

 comparatively small dimensions and that the drainage should be perfect. All 

 are liable to the depredations of the green-fly, which is easily destroyed by 

 slight fumigations ; occasionally, also, thrips may make their appearance on 

 the foHage, in which case the most efficacious treatment consists in a dip 

 in a slight solution of lemon oil. 



The plants are readily propagated from spores, which germinate freely, 

 and also by means of the young plants wliich most kinds produce at the 

 base and at the notches of the segments of the fronds, which, for that purpose, 

 should be firmly laid on a surface of the soil recommended above. 



Principal Species. 



H. citrifolia — cit-rif-or-i-a (Citrus-leaved), Hooker. 



This singular, stove species, native of the West Indies, which by its 

 mode of fructification connects the tribe GrammitidecE with that of Acrostichece, 

 has the habit of Antrophyuni., in which genus it is placed by Fee. Its singular, 

 pendent, oblong or somewhat spoon-shaped fronds, 6in. to 20in. long, lin. to 

 4in. broad, and narrowed gradually to both ends, are produced from a creeping 

 rhizome (prostrate stem), and borne on weak, compressed stalks varying from 

 ^in. to 9in. in length. These fronds are of a pale green colour, of a thick 

 but flaccid texture, and have the edge entire ; and their midrib, often lost in 

 the upper part, is winged on the back below. The loose and abundant sori 

 (spore masses) are |)lf^ced on the veins and also scattered in the spaces 

 between them. This is the Anetium of Splitgern. — Ilookei^, Species Filicum, 

 v., p. 193. 



H. COrdata — cor-da'-ta (heart-shaped), Roxburgh. 



This very distinct, stove species (Fig. 74), native of Ceylon, Moulmein, 

 the Philippines, and also of various parts of Peninsular India, where, according 

 to Beddome, it is a common Fern in dry localities in the plains and low 

 mountain tracts, being seldom found at great elevations, is so very unhke any 

 other known Fern in general outline that it forms a striking contrast with 

 its associates wherever it is introduced. Its fronds, which are produced from 



