356 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



L. (Synaphlebium) davallioides— Syn-aph-leb'-i-um ; dav-al-li-o-i'-des 

 (Davallia-like), Blume. 

 Tliis species, also known in gardens as Davallia Kunzeana^ is a native 

 of the Malayan Peninsula and Islands. It is of robust habit, its fronds, 

 which are formed of a long central point and two or three pairs of curved 

 branches 4in. to Sin. long, are produced from a short- creeping rhizome 

 (prostrate stem) and borne on firm, erect stalks 6in. to 12in. long. The 

 pinnas (leaflets) have their lower margin straight or slightly curved, while 

 the upper one shows four to six regular, rounded but not deep lobes, placed 

 close together but not overlapping, on the margin of which the sori (spore 

 masses) are uniformly disposed. The whole plant is of a very pleasing, lively, 

 tender green colour. — Hooker^ Sjjecies Filicum, i., p. 224, t. 68a. Beddome, 

 Ferns of British India ^ t. 141. 



L. (Isoloma) divergens — Is-ol-o'-ma ; di-ver'-gens (wide- spreading), 

 Wallich. 



A curious species, native of the Malayan Peninsula and Borneo, with 

 a creeping rhizome (prostrate stem) of a wiry nature, producing somewhat 

 sparingly fronds 6in. to 12in. long, l^in. to 2in. broad, and simply pinnate 

 (only once divided to the midrib), borne on stout, hard, ebony-black and 

 very glossy stalks 4in. to Gin. long. The numerous leaflets, of a coriaceous 

 (leathery) texture, bright green above and glaucous (bluish-green) beneath, are 

 of a peculiar shape, being obliquely truncate at the base below and auricled 

 (eared) at the base above, with their margin entire and bluntish at the point. 

 The sori (spore masses) are disposed in a continuous line along both edges. 

 Being of a pleasing colour, this species is very attractive. — Hooker, Species 

 Filicum, i., p. 210. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 280. Beddoine, 

 Ferns of British India, t. 250. 



« 



L. dubia — dub'-i-a (doubtful), Sprengel. 



A native of Venezuela, Guiana, and the Valley of the Amazon, producing 

 from a short-creeping rhizome (prostrate stem) fronds 4in. to Sin. long, IJin. 

 to 2in. broad, simply pinnate (only once divided to the midrib), and borne 

 on stalks closely set together, oin. to 6in. long, and of a wiry nature. The 

 pinnae (leaflets), lin. long and not more than ^m. broad, have their upper 



