490 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS 



broad, gradually narrowed at both ends, entire (undivided) or slightly sinuated 

 (wavy-edged) ; they are of a somewhat leathery texture, with both surfaces 

 naked, and are borne on slender, naked stalks 2in. to 4in. long. The veins, 

 which are forked, are disposed in groups of two or three on each side. — 

 Hooker^ Species Filicum, iv., p. 63. 



N. (Lastrea) Currori— Las'-tre-a ; Cur-ro'-ri (Curror's), Baker. 



A stove species, of large dimensions, native of Equatorial Guinea, with 

 ample fronds deltoid (in shape of the Greek delta, A) and four times divided 

 nearly to the midrib. The lowest leaflets, produced on the lower side, are 

 oblong-spear-shaped, stalked, l|ft. to l^ft. long, 6in. to Sin. broad, and cut 

 into pinnules (leafits) which are further divided into close, broadly spear-shaped, 

 deeply-cleft lobes of a moderately firm texture, dull green on both sides, and 

 thinly clothed with shining, brown hairs. The sori (spore masses), of medium 

 size, are situated close to the midvein, and are covered with a smooth involucre 

 of a fugacious nature. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 500. 



N. (Lastrea) CUSpidatum— Las'-tre-a ; cus-pid-a'-tum (pointed). Baker. 



This greenhouse species, native of Ceylon, possesses qualities which 

 render it most valuable either as a pot plant or as a distinct subject 

 for the rockery. It is of compact habit and of easy culture, producing in 

 abundance from a decumbent, fleshy stem its handsome fronds 2ft. to 3ft. 

 long. Sin. to 12in. broad, borne on succulent, round stalks that are barely 

 Ift. long and densely furnished at the base with pale straw-coloured, chaffy 

 scales. The leaflets, spear-shaped and sharply toothed on the margins, are 

 of a somewhat papery texture and of a glossy dark green colour, which, 

 however, is relieved by the beautiful and refreshing claret- colour of the stalks, 

 the two tints forming a pleasing and most decided contrast. The sori (spore 

 masses), disposed in rows close to the midvein, are covered with a fugacious 

 involucre. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 234. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, ii., p. 440. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 118. 



N. (Eunephrodium) cyatheoides— Eu-neph-ro'-di-um ; cy-ath-e-o-i'-des 

 (Cyathea-like), Kaulfuss. 

 A very handsome, but rare, greenhouse species, native of the Sandwich 

 Islands and Sumatra. Its ample fronds, simply pinnate (only once divided 



