288 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



H. apiculata — ap-ic-nl-a'-ta (sliarjD-pointed), Hooher. 



A native of Mexico and Brazil, closely related to the better-known 

 H. grafid/folia, from which it differs principally through having the lobes of 

 its leaflets mncronate (abruptly terminated by a hard, sharp point) at their 

 extremity. — Hooker^ Syiiopsis Filicum, p. 29. 



H. bella — beF-la (pretty), Reichenhach. 



A species of large dimensions, also known as Amjjhicosmia bella, native 

 of Caracas, with ample, pinnate fronds of a somewhat leathery texture, and 

 borne on strong stalks distinctly spiny at the base. Their leaflets, distinctly 

 stalked, 1ft. to l^ft. long, and l^in. broad, are- entire at their extremity, the 

 rest being cut half-way to the midrib into very blunt, broadly egg-shaped, 

 spreading lobes. The sori (sjDore masses) are disposed quite on the margin, 

 where they form a continuous single line, following the sinuous (wavy) 

 outline of the lobes to the extreme point of the leaflets. — Hooker, Synopsis 

 Filicum, p. 29. 



H. calolepis — cal-ol'-ep-is (having beautiful scales), Hooker. 



This large species, native of Cuba, derives its name from the white, 

 overlapping, satiny scales with which the base of the stalks of its fronds is 

 copiously clothed, and which are lin. or more in length, with a brown line 

 down the centre. Scales of the same nature and colour, but of much smaller 

 dimensions, are also noticeable on the midribs of the under-part of the ample, 

 bright gTeen, bipinnate fronds, the leaflets of which, l^ft. long and oblong-egg- 

 shaped, are divided into pinnules (leafits) 4in. to Sin. long, lin. broad, and 

 cut nearly to the midrib into numerous linear-oblong, blunt, coarsely-toothed 

 lobes remarkable by the forking of their veins. The small sori (spore masses), 

 disposed at the forking of the veins, mostly towards the midrib, are partly 

 covered by a broken involucre, which is most conspicuous at the lower side. — 

 Hooker, Synojjsis Filicum, p. 29. 



H. capensis — ca-pen'-sis (from the Cape of Cood Hope), R. Brown. 



This is the Amphicosmia capensis of Moore and the Alsop)]iHa capensis 

 of J. Smith, under which latter appellation it is more popularly known, and 

 is minutely described in Lowe's and other works. H. capensis is a very 

 interesting, gi-eenhouse species, native, as its name implies, of South Africa ; 



