394 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



competing even with the most elegant Palms and other plants of graceful 

 habit. Besides being used as a decorative plant, L. gihha is also remarkably 

 well adapted for exhibition purposes, as it makes splendid specimens 4ft. to 

 5ft. across, and, being so regular in growth, is perfectly distinct from all 

 other Ferns. 



Considering the extent to which this species is grown, it is surprising 

 to find so few variations worth noticing amongst the numberless seedlings 

 raised every year. It is true that some of these are much coarser growers 

 and more relaxed in habit than the typical plant, in which the fertile fronds 

 are but sparingly produced, whereas they are abundant in the majority of 

 garden-raised subjects ; but even these are not permanent characters. The 

 only distinct and acknowledged varieties produced under cultivation are the 

 following : 



L. g. Bellii— BeF-li-i (Bell's), Moore. 



This variety, found among some seedlings in a London nursery 

 (Osborn's, we believe), is most effective and beautiful on account of its 

 fronds, which are in all respects as handsome as those of the typical 

 species, being furnished at their extremities with dense tassels and having 

 the points of all their leaflets provided with crests of a smaller size. 

 Although a very good grower, it remains very rare on account of the slow 

 process of propagation : being a naturally barren plant, it can only be 

 increased by offsets, which are now and then, but never plentifully, produced 

 along the stem, and which, when detached and carefully tended, soon make 

 little plants, always partaking of the characters peculiar to the mother 

 plant. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 294. 



L. g". crispa — cris'-pa (crisp, curled), Moore. 



In this form, of close and compact habit and of small dimensions, 

 which reproduces itself true from spores, the very pretty fronds, of an 

 upright and somewhat stiff habit, seldom reach more than Sin. in height, and 

 are disposed in a symmetrical, shuttlecock fashion ; they are pinnate (once 

 divided to the midrib), extremely dense, and beautifully curled at the 

 margins. The whole plant is of a deep sea-green colour. This variety 

 thrives best under greenhouse treatment. 



