534 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



and 2m. to Sin. broad. The leafits (pinnules), usually spear-shaped, of a soft, 

 papery texture and dark green, are cut down nearly to the rachis (stalk) into 

 oblong, toothed segments. The sori (spore masses), disposed in two rows 

 near the midribs, are covered with a firm, smooth involucre. — Hooker, S'pecies 

 Filicum, iv., p. 125. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 441. 



N. (Eunephrodium) incisum — Eu-neph-ro'-di-um ; in-ci'-sum (cut), 

 Baher. 



This stove species, native of the West Indies and New Granada, is of 

 medium size and of peculiar appearance, on account of its narrow-oblong 

 fronds, 1ft. or more long and fin. to IJin. broad, being provided with 

 triangular or spear-shaped lobes, often not reaching more than one-third down 

 to the rachis (stalk). These fronds, of a somewhat leathery texture, finely 

 hairy on their under-surface, and borne on tufted stalks 2in. to 4in. long and 

 scaly below, are very gradually narrowed towards their base so as to form 

 a scarcely-cut wing to the stalk. The nearly marginal sori (spore masses) are 

 covered ^vith an involucre of a very fugacious nature. — Hooker, Species 

 Filicum, iv., p. 65. 



N. (Lastrea) insigne— Las'-tre-a ; in-sig'-ne (remarkable), Baker. ' 



A greenhouse species, native of 'New Granada, with fronds Ift. long and 

 about 9in. broad, furnished with opposite, stalkless leaflets 4in. to 5in. long, 

 cut down two-thirds of the way to the rachis (stalk) into close, oblong, blunt 

 lobes, the lower ones being deflexed (thrown back). The fronds are of a thin 

 texture, naked on both sides, and their sori (spore masses), disposed along 

 the mid vein, are covered with a very small, slightly hairy involucre. — Hooker, 

 Synopsis Filicum, p. 262. 



N. (Lastrea) intermedium— Las'-tre-a ; in-ter-med'-i-um (intermediate), 

 Baker. 



This greenhouse species, also known as N. Blumei, is a native of India 

 and Japan; it is a very striking plant, of easy culture. The somewhat 

 triangular fronds, 2ft. to 3ft. long and 1ft. to lift, broad, are borne on stout, 

 erect stalks 1ft. to 2ft. long, densely clothed at the base with long, silky 

 scales of a peculiar bright brown colour. The lower leaflets, spear-shaped and 



