476 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



divided nearly to the midrib), and borne on nearly naked stalks of a blackish 

 colour. They are composed of a terminal pinnatifid leaflet and four pairs of 

 lateral ones, the lowest stalked and cut down to the rachis (stalk) below 

 into spear-shaped pinnules (leafits). The fronds are of a parchment-hke 

 texture, dark green on both surfaces, and the small and numerous sori (spore 

 masses) are disposed in two series on each side of the midrib —ZTooyfcer, 

 Synopsis Filicum, p. 504. 



N. (Sagenia) Barteri— Sag-e'-ni-a ; Bar'-ter-i (Barter's), Baker. 



This strong-growing, stove species, native of Fernando Po, produces from 

 a creeping rhizome (prostrate stem) fronds 2ft. to 3ft. long, 1ft. to lift, 

 broad, borne on straw-coloured, naked stalks 1ft. or more long. They are 

 composed of an entire, oblong terminal leaflet 9in. to 12in. long, Sin. to 4in. 

 broad, sharp -pointed at the extremity, and gradually narrowed to the base, 

 and three or four pairs of similar lateral ones, all simple, the lowest slightly 

 stalked. The fronds are of a somewhat leathery texture, with main veins 

 distinct to the edge and Jin. apart ; and the rather small sori (spore masses), 

 disposed in two regular rows near the midveins, are covered with a minute 

 involucre of a fugacious nature. — Hooler, Synopsis Filicum, p. 299. 



N. (Lastrea) Beddomei— Las'-tre-a ; Bed-do'-me-i (Beddome's), Baker. 



A stove species, closely related to the better-known N. noveboracense, 

 but smaller, of a more slender nature, and of a firmer texture. — Hooker, 

 Synopsis Filicum, p. 267. 



N. (Lastrea) Bergianum— Las'-tre-a ; Berg-i-a'-num (Berg's), Baker. 



This greenhouse Fern, of medium dimensions, native of Cape Colony and 

 Natal, and which. Baker says, is perhaps a variety of N. patens with lower 

 leaflets gradually reduced, has fronds l^ft. to 2ft. long, 6in. to lOin. broad, 

 and borne on stalks 6in. to 12in. long, of a naked or finely hairy nature. 

 The leaflets, of a soft, papery texture, oin. to oin. long and fin. broad, are 

 cut down nearly to the rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) into close, entire 

 lobes, more or less hairy on their under-side. The sori (spore masses), 

 disposed along the midvein, are covered with a small involucre of a fugacious 

 nature. — Hooker, Synojjsis Filicum, p. 269. 



