342 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



H. Bergiana is singularly prolific, and the way in which it reproduces 

 itself most readily is very peculiar, and confined to this species : from its 

 tiny fibrous roots spring a quantity of small, seedling-like plants, which form 

 good-sized subjects much more quickly than seedlings proper. 



H. californica — cal-if-or'-nic-a (Californian), Hooker. 



This species, also named Aspidotis californica, and which has quite the 

 habit of the more finely-divided coriaceous species of Cheilanthes, is identical 

 with Cheilanthes californica of Mettenius. 



H. distans — dis'-tans (distant), Hooker. 



This pretty, greenhouse species, native of New Zealand, in its very 

 graceful habit resembles some slender forms of Asplenium [Athyrium) Filix- 

 foemina, and is particularly well adapted for growing in a Fern-case, where 

 its elegant foliage develops itself to perfection. The fronds, abundantly 

 produced from slender, creeping rhizomes (prostrate stems), and borne on 

 slender, flexuose (zigzag-bending) stalks about 6in. high, of a chestnut-brown 

 colour and slightly rough, are about 1ft. long, 4in. to 5in. broad, broadly 

 spear-shaped, and bipinnate (twice divided to the midrib). The leaflets spread 

 at right angles with the rachis (stalk of the leafy portion), and their oblong 

 pinnules (leafits) are cut about half-way down ; they are of a thin, papery 

 texture and of an intense dark green colour. The sori (spore masses), two 

 to four to a pinnule, are placed in the lower sinuses. — Hooker, Species Filicum, 

 ii., p. 70, t. 95c. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 170. 



H. hostilis — hos'-til-is (inimical), Presl. 



A stove species, of large dimensions, native of Jamaica, Cocos Island, 

 and Peru, of more delicate appearance than the popular H. repens, with 

 smaller and more deeply-divided ultimate lobes, in which respect, as well as 

 in general habit, it very closely resembles the South African H. anthriscifolia. 

 — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 130. 



H. millefolium — mil-lef-or-i-um (Milfoil-leaved), Hooker. 



This greenhouse species, native of New Zealand, is a much smaller plant 

 than the better-known H. tenuifolia. Its broadly-triangular fronds, Ift. or 

 more long and 4in. to Gin. broad, are borne on erect stalks about Gin. long, 



