HYPOLEPIS. 



341 



resembling in their numerous and finely-cut divisions those of a common 

 "Lace Fern" [Cheilanthes elegans) ; they are abundantly produced from 

 strictly underground rhizomes (stems), which are small and of wiry texture. 

 These fronds, which grow almost upright, seldom measure more than Gin. to 

 7in. m length, and their breadth varies from 2jin. to Sin. at their widest 

 part ; they are of a soft green colour when young, turning with age to a 

 darker green tint and a velvety texture ; and being borne on slender and 

 slightly hairy, short stalks, a delightful elFect is imparted. This plant 

 possesses the advantage of being perfectly hardy. In Messrs. Backhouse's 

 nursery, at York, it has stood uninjured for several winters on the outdoor 

 rockery. Being of small dimensions, and a capital grower, it may with 

 advantage be used for making edgings in the cool Fernery under glass. It is 

 also adapted for growing m hanging baskets of small dimensions ; but 



care must be taken not to allow it to get dry during the winter season, as 

 its slender rhizomes soon lose their \itality when the soil surrounding them 

 lacks moisture for any length of time. 



H. Bergiana — Berg-i-a'-na (Berg's), Hooker. 



This well-marked, greenhouse species is a native of South Africa, being 

 found in Cape Colony, KaiFraria, Natal, and Gambosi Land, and one of the 

 handsomest of its section. Its beautiful fronds, triangular in shape and 

 quadripinnatifid (four times divided nearly to the midrib), are of a peculiarly 

 upright habit ; they are from 1ft. to IJft. long, 6in. to 9in. broad, and borne 

 on strong, tufted, upright stalks IJft. to 2ft. long, dark chestnut-brown in 

 colour, and woolly throughout. The leaflets are also triangular, and their 

 pinnules (leafits), of a similar shape, are further divided into egg-shaped 

 segments |in. to fin. long and Jin. to Jin. broad, with oblong, bluntly- 

 toothed ultimate divisions, which give the plant a very elegant appearance. 

 The leafy portion of the fronds is of a peculiarly thin, papery texture, and 

 bright shining green in colour, and the rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) 

 is of a rigid nature, zigzag, dark brown, and woolly. The under-surface 

 of the frond is hairy throughout. The very small sori (spore masses), 

 produced in great abundance, are placed in the sides of the lobes of the 

 segments or ultimate divisions. — Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 67. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 170. 



