384 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



L. capensis — ca-pen'-sis (from tlie Cape). A variety of L. procera. 



L. caudata — eau-da'-ta (having a tail), Baker. 



This stove species, native of the Andes of Ecuador, has the general 

 appearance of the better-known L. jyrocera., from which, however, it is 

 distinguished at first sight by the proliferous character of its barren fronds, 

 which are 2ft. or more long, 4in. broad, gradually narrowed below, and 

 elongated and rooting at their extremity. These fronds are produced from 

 an elongated stem or trunk densely clothed at its summit with spear- 

 shaped scales of a dark brown colour, and are borne on strong, erect 

 stalks 2in. to Sin. long, scaly below ; they are furnished with numerous 

 leaflets of a leathery texture and bright green colour, all quite distinct, 

 suddenly narrowed to the midrib, but not stalked at the base, where they 

 are slightly auricled (eared) on the lower side, and suddenly narrowed at 

 the point. The lower leaflets are blunt and gradually dwindle down to 

 mere auricles or lobes ; those above the centre of the frond gradually grow 

 smaller and more blunt to where it takes root. The fertile fronds, of 

 similar shape but not proliferous, are furnished with narrow, contracted 

 leaflets Sin. to 4in. long and disposed at least ^in. apart. — Hooher., 

 Synopsis Filicum, p. 179. 



L. chilensis — chil-en'-sis (Chilian). A variety of L. procera. 



L. ciliata — cil-i-a'-ta (ciliated, fringed), Moore. 



This very distinct, stove species, native of New Caledonia, is a general 

 favourite on account of its rapid growth and compact, yet elegant habit. 

 Its barren fronds, 8in. to 12in. long, broadly egg-shaped, and borne on 

 comparatively slender stalks clothed with blackish scales, are produced 

 from a single crown at the summit of a slender stem or trunk 6in. to 

 Sin. high and IJin. thick. They are simply pinnate (only once divided 

 to the midrib) and furnished with oblong leaflets of a cheerful, light 

 green colour, the lower ones distant and narrowed below, the upper ones 

 more closely set and frequently with a broad, rounded auricle (ear) at the 

 base on the lower side, bluntish, and rendered very attractive by the 

 hair-like teeth with which they are bordered on each side. The fertile 

 fronds, although of the same shape and drooping habit as the barren 



