MARATTIA. 



439 



a fleshy nature, and deciduously scaly. The lower leaflets are the largest, and 

 the ultimate divisions or segments, which are Jin. to fin. long, Jin. broad, of 

 a soft, papery texture, oblong in shape, blunt or pointed, with a wedge-shaped 

 base, sometimes smooth, but usually finely toothed on their margins (Fig. 110), 

 are quite unique in the genus. The same remark apphes to the rachises 

 (stalks of the leafy portion), which through their entire length are furnished 

 with a very distinct and conspicuous wing. The synangia, which are copious 

 and nearly marginal, have their sides erect and their attachment oblong or 

 roundish. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 442. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, ii., p. 327. 



Fii. no. (/) Upper Portion oj Frond and (2) Pinnule of l^arattia alata 

 (1, much reduced ; 2, nat. size). 



The spores of M. alata are produced freely ; but, unfortunately, these 

 seem to require for their germination, and especially for their full development, 

 some kind of treatment apparently yet unknown to our cultivators. They 

 have been tried by us at ditFerent periods, in various ways, and on diverse 

 sorts of materials, but always with the same unsatisfactory results, never 

 reaching above the prothallium stage : in this state some of them once 

 remained during three years, gradually spreading, though not shomng any 

 signs of fronds, until at last they fell a prey to a fungoid growth which 

 completely destroyed them. 



