532 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



on which the fronds are borne. These fronds, of a somewhat triangular shape, 

 4in, to 6in. high and 3in. to 4in. broad, have their lowest leaflets much larger 

 than the others ; and the lowest pinnules (leafits), also larger than the others, 

 are cut down to the rachis (stalk) below into spathulate (spoon- shaped), 

 usually entire, blunt lobes. The whole leafy portion of the frond is of a soft, 

 papery texture and bright green colour, and the small and abundant sori 

 (spore masses) are disposed at a little distance from the midrib. — Hooker, 

 Sj^ecies Filicum, iv., p. 128. 



N. (Eunephrodium) hispidulum — Eu-neph-ro'-di-um ; his-pid'-ul-um 

 (somewhat rough), Baker. 

 A stove species, of medium dimensions, native of the Philippine and 

 Malayan Islands ; it is closely related to N. Arbuscula, but has narrower and 

 more deeply-lobed leaflets. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 69. 



N. (Lastrea) hispidum — Las'-tre-a ; his'-pid-mn (hispid, rough). Hooker. 



This lovely, greenhouse species, native of New Zealand, is also 

 found, though rarely, in Australia ; it is a well-marked plant of medium 

 dimensions. The elegantly-arching fronds, 1ft. to IJft. long. Sin. to 12in. 

 broad, of a somewhat triangular shape, and produced from a stout, creeping 

 rhizome (prostrate stem), are borne on wiry, brown stalks Iffc. to IJft. 

 long, clothed wdth squarrose (rough), nearly black, narrow scales. The 

 spear-shaped leaflets have then- lowest pinnules (leafits) larger than the 

 others, each leafit being cut down to a winged rachis (stalk) into small, 

 oblong or linear (very narrow), sharply -toothed lobes of a leathery texture, 

 dark green colour, and particularly shining nature. The abundant and 

 conspicuous sori (spore masses) almost entirely cover the under-side of the 

 fertile fronds. — Hooker, SjJecies Filicum, iv., p. 150. Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, ii., p. 441. 



N. hispidum is particularly adapted for growing in a Fern-case in the 

 dwelling-room, where, in the company of Todeas and other Filmy Ferns, it 

 will be found to thrive admirably ; indeed, it is a plant rather difficult to 

 manage in the open house, unless a close and shaded corner can be devoted 

 to it. Either as a pot plant or planted out it forms a beautiful and 

 interesting object. 



