MARATTIA. 



441 



with brownish scales of a chaffy nature. The lower leaflets, 1ft. to l^ft. long, 

 are often 1ft. broad, and their oblong- spear -shaped pinnules (leafits), which are 

 4in. to Gin. long and about lin. broad, have their base heart-shaped or 

 shghtly rounded, and their edge either entire or finely toothed. The leaflets 

 are of a somewhat leathery texture and very dark green, with both 

 surfaces naked ; and the rachises (stalks) of the leaflets are shghtly winged 

 towards their extremity. The synangia, situated at a short distance from the 

 edge, are about -|in. long, deeply cleft, with the sides ultimately spreading. — 

 Hooker^ Synoijsis Filicum, p. 441. Nicholson^ Dictionary of Gardening^ 

 ii., p. 327. 



M. Cooperii — Coo'-per-i-i (Sir Daniel Cooper's). 



For the name of this bold and essentially distinct species we can find 

 no authority. It is a native of New Caledonia, and, although unsurpassed 

 for decoration in a warm conservatory, where it is most effective, still remains 

 rare in cultivation. Its magnificent, massive, decompound (much -divided) 

 fronds, 2jft. to 3ft. long and 2ft. broad, rise from between two horny-looking 

 appendages of a peculiarly rough nature, and are borne on succulent, blackish, 

 round stalks 2ft. to 3ft. long, of a somewhat dull colour and wrinkled 

 appearance, singularly contrasting with the smooth or shiny appearance of 

 the leafy portion of the fronds. These fronds are bipinnate (twice divided 

 to the midrib) in young specimens, but in plants that have attained their 

 full development they are distinctly tripinnate and furnished with oblong 

 pinnules (leafits) that are pointed at the extremity, deeply but irregularly 

 toothed on the margins, of a leathery texture and dark green colour. The 

 synangia, disposed in close rows near the margin of the leafits, have their 

 sides vertical, and show from six to twelve capsules on each side. 



Of all the Marattias in cultivation, M. Cooperii is perhaps the one most 

 subject to the ravages of thrips and scale ; but it may easily be kept clean, 

 as it will endure fumigation without sufiering in the least. 



M. (Gymnotheca) Douglasii — Gym-noth-e'-ca ; Doug-las'-i-i (Douglas's), 

 Baker. 



This gigantic species, native of the Sandwich Islands, produces fronds 

 6ft. to 8ft. long, borne on thick, smooth stalks 3ft. to 5ft. long. The lowest 



