LO MARIA. 



389 



and of good substance. In the fertile fronds, which are of similar shape 

 and size to the barren ones, but comparatively thicker and much heavier, 

 the leaflets are contracted, closely set, cut quite down to the rachis (stalk 

 of the leafy portion), and fertile throughout. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, 

 p. 481. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 294. Loive, Ferns 

 British and Exotic, iv., t. 51. 



This variety, which is readily propagated by means of spores, and is 

 extensively grown for decoration, has produced several sub-varieties, the 

 best of which, and indeed the only one worth cultivating for its own 

 decorative merits, is the one commonly known as 



L. d. 11. pulcherrima — pul-cher'-rim-a (very pretty). 



A garden name for an ornamental plant with a constitution equally as 

 good as that of the typical Fern from which it no doubt originated. From 

 L. d. nuda it differs in having the extremity of each leaflet somewhat crested 

 or forked, and the summit of the frond still more distinctly crested. It 

 should be kept as much as possible from artificial heat, the effects of which 

 are most pernicious to the young growth. 



L. diversifolia — di-ver-sif-oF-i-a (bearing various fronds). Baker. 



A stove species, native of New Caledonia, with barren fronds 6in. to 

 Sin. long, oin. to 4in. broad, borne on stout, erect stalks 4in. to 6in. long, 

 of a dark chestnut-brown colour, and scaly at the base. These fronds are of 

 a leathery texture and naked on both surfaces ; they are furnished with 

 narrow leaflets spreading horizontally, the largest IJin. long, less than ^in. 

 broad, cut down throughout half-way to the rachis (stalk of the leafy 

 portion) into egg-shaped lobes, abruptly terminating in a sharp-pointed 

 process. The fertile fronds are borne on a stalk fully Ift. long, and furnished 

 with very narrow leaflets Sin. to 4in. long and distantly placed. Both kinds 

 of fi'onds are produced from a stem or trunk densely clothed with long, 

 narrow scales of a dark brown colour. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 181. 



L. dura — du'-ra (hard), Moore. 



A greenhouse or hardy species, also known as L. rigida, native of the 

 Chatham Islands. It is allied to L. lanceolata and L. hlechnoides, but differs 



