CHAPTER XL 



MOHRIA, Swartz. 

 (Moh'-ri-a.) 



Frankincense Fern. 



EDICATED to the memory of Daniel Mohr, a German botanist, 

 who died in 1808, this genus is monotypic (comprising but 

 one species, the African M. caffrorum^ better known in 

 gardens under the name of M. thurifraga). In Hooker and 

 Baker's " Synopsis Filicum " Mohria forms Genus 66, and is 

 a small division of the sub-order Schizceacece, combining the capsules peculiar 

 to the plants comprised in the sub-order with the habit of Cheilanthes. Thus 

 the sori (spore masses), which are disposed near the edge of the pinnules 

 (leafits) and situated at the end of the forked veins, are enclosed in a two- 

 valved, stalkless, nearly round capsule, opening vertically on the exterior side, 

 and crowned by a complete, operculiform (lid-shaped) ring. By this means 

 a distinct border of round prominences is formed along the edge of the frond 

 on the under- side. 



Culture. 



M. caffrorum is of very easy culture : all that it requires in the way of 

 soil is a mixture of about equal parts of peat, leaf mould, and sand, with the 

 addition of small pieces of sandstone or soft brick-dust. Syringing overhead 

 must be carefully avoided, or it will cause the fronds to turn brown and decay 

 in a short time. The plant is essentially a greenhouse subject, and should 

 receive all the light possible. 



