530 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



of a leathery texture and hairy on both surfaces, especially along the edge 

 and upon the midrib beneath ; they are produced from a creeping rhizome 

 (prostrate stem), and are borne on stalks 2in. to 4in. long and of a densely 

 hairy nature.— ZZ"oo/'er, Species Filicum, iv., p. 62 ; Second Century of 

 Ferns, t. 20. 



N. (Sagenia) heterosorum— Sag-e'-m-a ; het-er-os-o'-rum (having sori 

 of variable shape). Baker. 

 A stove species, native of Chittagong, with fronds 2ft. or more in length, 

 deltoid (in shape of the Greek delta. A), and once divided to the midrib. The 

 leaflets, conspicuously stalked, broadly strap-shaped, and irregularly lobed, are 

 gemmiparous (provided with leaf-buds in the axils), of a thin but firm texture, 

 and of a uniform bright green colour. The copious scattered sori (spore 

 masses) vary in shape and are often confluent (running into one another). — 

 Hooker, Synojms F/Iicuin, p. 504. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 47. 



N. (Eunephrodium) hirsutum— Eu-neph-ro'-di-um ; hir-su'-tum (hairy), 

 J. Smith. 



This large-growing, stove species, native of the Phihppine Islands, must 

 not be confounded with N. hirsutum of Don, which is synonymous with 

 N. odorat'um. In J. Smith's N. hirsutum, the fronds, 3ft. to 4ft. long, IJft. 

 broad, and borne on strong, grey, hairy stalks 1ft. or more in length, have 

 their leaflets very closely set and spreading, the largest sometimes measuring 

 lOin. in length. These leaflets are cut half-way down to the midrib into entire, 

 narrow-oblong lobes, the lower ones being provided with a gland beneath at 

 the base. The texture is somewhat leathery, and the sori (spore masses) are 

 disposed along the midvein. — Hooker, SjJecies Filicum, iv., p. 70, t. 240b. 



N. (Lastrea) hirtipes — Las'-tre-a ; hir'-tip-es (hairy-stalked). Hooker. 



This very handsome, hardy species, better known in gardens under the 

 name of Lastrea atrata, is a native of the Himalayas, where it is found up 

 to 6000ft. elevation, and, according to Beddome, it also grows in great 

 abundance on the Neilgherries at 4000ft. and upwards. The general habit of 

 the plant is that of our common N. Filix-mas ; but its gracefully-arching 

 fronds, 2ft. to 3ft. long. Sin. to 16in. broad, and produced from a short, thick, 



