HEMITELIA. 



287 



Culture. 



With very few exceptions, the plants belonging to -this genus require 

 stove temperature — a fact which no doubt accounts for their not being more 

 generally found in cultivation than they are at present. Most of them are 

 strong growers, the trunks in many cases attaining 15ft. or more in height ; 

 they therefore require large structures to enable them to perfectly develop 

 their broad, shining fronds, which have an imposing appearance in a Fernery 

 planted in company with other kinds having more delicate or finely -divided 

 foliage. The beauty of the under- surface of the fronds is greatly enhanced 

 by the position of the sori, which usually form an almost uninterrupted line 

 round the leaflets. The plants are not by any means difficult to grow if 

 potted or planted in a mixture consisting of about equal parts of j)eat, loam, 

 and sand, and if their requirements are punctually attended to. Durmg the 

 growing season they require, not only a good deal of heat, but also a large 

 amount of moisture at the roots and along their trunks, most of which are 

 of a drier and more wooden nature than those of other Tree Ferns. 



Hemitelias are invariably propagated from their spores, which germinate 

 freely, though they may also be increased by means of lateral offsets, which 

 are occasionally produced along the trunks of certain species. 



Principal Species, 



H. andina — and'-in-a (from the Andes), Karsten. 



A sj)ecies of medium dimensions, native of the Andes of Columbia, with 

 fronds tripinnatifid (three times divided nearly to the midrib) and borne on 

 strong, naked stalks of a brownish colour. The leaflets, oblong-spear-shaped 

 and of a somewhat leathery texture, are IJft. to IJft, long ; they are divided 

 into hgulate pinnules (strap-shaped leafits) oin. to 3Jin. long, about Jin. broad, 

 and cut down to a broad wing, the lower ones being distinctly stalked. Both 

 surfaces are naked and bright green. The small and abundant sori (spore 

 masses) are situated close to the margin of the leaflets, and partly covered by 

 a distinct, smooth involucre. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 455. 



