LO MARIA. 



385 



ones, are much contracted, being furnished only with very narrow leaflets, 

 set far apart and sometimes pinnatifid (divided again nearly to the 

 midrib). See Coloured Plate. — Hooker., Synopsis Fil{cu7n, p. 175. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 293. 



L. ciliata is closely allied to the more popular L. gibba, also from 

 New Caledonia, but it is easily distinguished from the latter species, not 

 only through the fringe of its leaflets, but also, and principally, through their 

 characteristic termination, which is always emarginate (slightly notched, as 

 if a piece had been cut out) and frequently bifid (divided into two) 

 at their extremity. Under cultivation this useful species has produced 

 the following strong-growing variety : 



L. C. gigantea — gig-ant-e'-a (gigantic). 



This variety, for the name of which we can find no authority, 

 besides partaking of all the attractive and distinctive characters of the 

 species, is still more ornamental and of more robust growth ; and its 

 handsome fronds attain much larger dimensions, frequently measuring IJft. 

 and even l^it. in length. The stalks of the fronds are densely clothed 

 with long, narrow scales of a very dark colour, which greatly add to its 

 beauty, as they form a pleasing contrast with the pale green colour 

 peculiar to the leafy portions of the plant. Unfortunately, this variety has 

 never been known to reproduce itself from spores. 



Both L. ciliata and its variety gigantea should be kept in the drier 

 part of the house, as any little moisture allowed to settle on their 

 foliage causes the appearance of numerous black streaks, precursors of decay. 



L. Colensoi — Col-en'-so-i (Bishop Colenso's). Synonymous with L. Patersoni 

 elongata. 



L. (Plagiogyria) COStaricensis — Plag-i-og-y'-ri-a ; cos-ta-ri-cen'-sis 

 (from Costa Rica), Baker. 

 A stove species, with barren fronds above Ift. long, 6in. to Tin. broad, 

 abruptly narrowed at the base, and furnished with entire (undivided), 

 somewhat sickle-shaped leaflets less than Jin. broad, bluntish, and connected 

 at their base with the stalks, thus forming a narrow wing all along the 

 midrib of the leafy portion of the frond. The fertile fronds are IJft. long, 



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