LO MARIA. 



377 



their way every year to our metropolitan markets. The slower-growing, but 

 very compact, L. ciliata and L. discolor nuda are also highly decorative. 



Although they will not bear being kept dry, Lomarias do not require so 

 much water at the roots as do the majority of other Ferns. They should 

 be potted somewhat loosely, for they dislike the soil being pressed hard into 

 the pots. An excellent way of making use of them is planting them in 

 dead Tree-Fern stems. Remove the decayed or partly-decayed matter from 

 the centre of the stems, and scoop them out sufficiently to accommodate a 

 solitary plant with a little mould round it, in order to give it a start ; after 

 that, keep the stem constantly moist, and the result will be that in a short 

 time the roots of the transplanted Lomaria will have taken possession of the 

 dead stem, in which they run apace. The plant will have the appearance 

 of a handsome Lomaria with a stout stem of its own, and, if properly managed, 

 will remain for years in excellent condition. A few species are naturally of 

 arborescent habit, but this is rather the exception than the rule. 



Lomarias are almost invariably increased by means of their spores, which 

 are abundantly produced and germinate very freely. 



Principal Species and Varieties. 



L. acuminata — ac-u'-min-a'-ta (taper -pointed), Baker. 



This greenhouse species, of medium dimensions, native of Norfolk Island, 

 is intermediate between L. attenuata and L. lanceolata. Its barren fronds, 

 borne on nearly chestnut-coloured stalks 2in. to oin. long, are oblong-spear- 

 shaped, being narrowed gradually from the middle to both ends, IJft. to 2ft. 

 long, and 4in. to Gin. broad. They are furnished with from thirty to forty 

 pairs of spear-shaped and taper-pointed leaflets about ^in. broad, adnate 

 (attached to the midrib) through their whole length by their enlarged base. 

 The texture is somewhat leathery, and both surfaces are of a dark green 

 colour. In the fertile frond the leaflets are distant (distinctly separate), the 

 central ones being oin. to 4in. long. — Hooker., Synopsis Fill cum, p. 481. 



L. acuta — ac-u'-ta (acute, sharp), Desvaux. 



A stove species, of large dimensions, native of Peru and New Granada. 

 Its stout, upright fronds, 2ft. to oft. long, borne on strong, erect stalks 4in. 



