LINDSAY A. 



355 



and in Queensland. It is a distinct, Adiantum-like Fern, of a hardier 

 constitution than most other kinds. L. cultrata is a thoroughly evergreen 

 species, which, if a tolerably fair quantity 

 of humidity is kept up in the stove Fernery, 

 will soon make itself at home there, especially 

 if it can be planted on rockwork by the 

 water's edge. It is of itself very interesting 

 and ornamental, but its attractive powers are 

 still further enhanced by the delicious per- 

 fume emitted from its foliage, which some- 

 what resembles that of almonds or that 

 produced by the Peach-tree leaf on being 

 crushed between the fingers, and we have 

 heard it compared to the odour of the 

 Sweet-scented A^ernal Grass [Anthoxanthum 

 odoratum). Its jjerfume, whatever it is com- 

 pared to, is retained for several years when 

 the fronds are kept in a dry state. The 

 fronds are freely produced from a short - 

 creeping, underground rhizome (prostrate 

 stem), and borne on wiry, green stalks 3in. 

 to 6in. long ; they are simply pinnate (only 

 once divided to the midrib), 6in. to 12in. 

 long, and about lin. broad. The leaflets 

 are either opposite or alternate, |in. to fin. 

 long, about Jin. broad, closely set but not 

 imbricated (overlapping) ; they are of a 

 somewhat leathery texture and bright green 

 colour, and their lower margin is straight 

 or slightly curved, usually upwards ; their 

 upper edge, on which the oblong sori (spore 

 masses) are situated, is slightly lobed, so 



that the continuity of the line of fructification is broken (Fig. 89). — Hooker, 

 Species Filicum, i., p. 203. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 280. 

 Beddome, Ferns of Southern India, t. 23. Loive, Neiv and Bare Ferns, t. 16b. 



2 A 2 



Fi^. S9. Fronds of Lindsay a cultrata 

 (i nat. size). 



