424 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



with the secondary petioles, the latter being a connecting link between the 

 primary petioles and the leafy portions. 



All known Lygodiums were formerly divided into three sections : one 

 in which the fully -developed barren leaflets are either palmate (shaped like 

 the hand), as in L. palmatum., or dichotomously (repeatedly) forked, as in 

 L. dichotomum ; another in Avhich the fully-developed barren leaflets are 

 distinctly pinnate (once divided to the midrib), as in L. voluhile ; while in 

 the third one the veins, instead of being free, are anastomosing (intercrossing 

 each other), which character is well shown in L. retlculatwrn. According to 

 these special characters, the plants forming the genus Lygodium have been 

 called Hydroglossum by Presl, and Lygodictyon by J. Smith, but these 

 names, although still retained in some private collections, have now been 

 complet'cly abandoned for scientific purposes. 



Culture. 



To the particulars bearing on the habit and the mode of growth of 

 Lygodiums, as well as on the various uses to which they are specially 

 adapted, already pubhshed at pp. 57-59 of Vol. 1., we may here add that 

 they all luxuriate in rich, spongy soil of an open nature ; that which suits 

 them best being a mixture of peat or good leaf mould, loam, and chopped 

 sphagnum, in about equal proportions. It must also be borne in mind that 

 they require an abundance of water at the roots, and are greatly benefited 

 by frequent and copious syringings during their most active season, from 

 May to October. It is only when planted out that these singular Ferns 

 show themselves to advantage and attain their full development, and in 

 that condition they are also less liable to the attacks of garden pests than 

 when they have their roots bound in pots. Except when otherwise indicated, 

 all the species here described require stove treatment. 



Propagation is effected by means of spores, when the plants are required 

 in quantities, and such is the method usually adopted for producing strong, 

 healthy plants of L. japonicum {L. scandens of commerce), which species 

 is the most generally grown. Most of the other species are increased by 

 the division of the crowns, which operation may be safely done at any time 

 between March and September. 



