NEPHRODIUM. 



531 



and very fleshy caudex (stem) rarely measuring Gin. above the ground, are 

 borne on tufted stalks 1ft. or more in length. The long, rough, black or 

 very dark, chaffy scales with which these stalks are densely clothed, give 

 a most conspicuous appearance to the whole plant, which is also rendered all 

 the more decorative by the way in which the fronds are disposed, forming as it 

 were a natural vase of beautiful dark green colour. The pinnaa (leaflets), 4in. 

 to Sin. long and nearly lin. broad, are cleft into broad, blunt lobes, reaching 

 from a quarter to one-third of the way down to the midrib (Fig. 130) ; and 

 the large and conspicuous sori (spore masses) are disposed along the midvein. 



Fi^. 130. Frond of Nephrodium hirtipes 

 nat. size). 



A singular character, quite peculiar to this plant, is that during the winter 

 the stalks get very soft and brownish at their base, and the fronds have then 

 a tendency to fall around the plant ; in that state, however, they retain their 

 colour and freshness for several months if only held up by a little black 

 thread, which can easily be concealed from view. — Hooker., Species Filicum^ 

 iv., p. 115, t. 249. Nicholso7i, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 441. Beddome., 

 Ferns of Southern India, t. 96. 



N. (Lastrea) hirtum — Las'-tre-a ; hir'-tum (hairy), Hooker. 



A pretty, stove species, native of the West Indies, seldom more than Ift. 

 high, including the wiry, brown, densely shaggy stalks, 4in. to 6in. high, 



2 M 2 



