MOHRIA. 



457 



Gin. to 9in. high, the barren fronds shorter and spreading, the fertile ones 

 standing upright and much more finely divided, being almost quadripinnatifid 

 (four times divided nearly to the midrib). Unfortunately, it increases but 

 slowly, for, although fertile fronds are freely borne, we do not know of 

 a single instance in which it has reproduced itself ; and Lowe, at p. 104 

 of his excellent book on " New and Rare Ferns," gives it as his opinion that 

 one of the greatest j)i*oofs that this charming Fern is only a variety of 

 M. thurlfraga^ is that spores carefully saved and sown have only produced 

 the ordinary form of M. thurifraga.'" Its propagation is therefore confined 

 solely to the division of the crowns — a very slow process, which no doubt 

 accounts for its remaining so scarce in collections. This variety is also said 

 to have a different scent, and to grow in more open places than the typical 

 species. — Hooker^ Synopsis Filicum, p. 436. Loioe^ New and Rare Ferns, 

 t. 42b. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 375. 



M. thurifraga — thu-rif'-rag-a (frankincense- scented). Synonymous with 

 M. caffrormn. 



MONACHOSORUM— Mon-ach-os-o'-rum. See Polypodium. 



