NEPHRODIUM. 



537 



segments are spear-shaped, as are also the final lobes, near the border of which 

 the small sori (spore masses), covered with a minute, fugacious involucre, are 

 disposed in two rows. — Hooker^ Synopsis Filicum, p. 499. 



N. (Sagenia) latifolium— Sag-e'-ni-a ; la-tif-oF-i-um (broad-leaved), Baker. 



This stove species, native of the Polynesian Islands, and better known in 

 gardens under the name of Sagenia irregularis^ has fronds 2ft. to 3ft. long 

 and Ift. to lift, broad, borne on ebeneous (blackish), glossy stalks Ift. or 

 more in length. Their apex or summit is deeply pinnatifid, showing spear- 

 shaped, sharp-pointed lobes cut down nearly to the midrib ; below this there 

 are from three to five leaflets on each side, the lowest much the largest, being 

 8in. to 12in. long and 6in. to Sin. broad, of a soft, papery texture, the greyish 

 colour showing up conspicuously the main veins, which are distmct to the 

 edge, and a network of fine veinlets upon which the sori (spore masses) are 

 disposed in rows, principally close to the main veins. — Hooker, Synopsis 

 Filicum, p. 298. 



N. (Lastrea) latifrons— Las'-tre-a ; la'-tif-rons (large-fronded). Hooker. 



This stove species, native of the Sandwich Islands, in habit somewhat 

 resembles some of the large forms of our common N. Filix-mas. Its somewhat 

 triangular fronds, 2ft. to 3ft. long, borne on strong, upright stalks about 1ft. 

 long and densely clothed with light brown, deciduous scales, have their leaflets, 

 the lowest of which often measure Ift. in length and 6in. in breadth, divided 

 into sharp-pointed, spear-shaped pinnules (leafits) cut down about half-way to the 

 midrib into blunt lobes about Jin. broad. These lobes are of a soft, papery 

 texture, bright green and smooth on their upper surface, while their under- 

 surface, on which fine glands may be observed, is of a mealy appearance. 

 The large and conspicuous sori (spore masses) are covered by a broad, smooth 

 involucre. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 138. 



N. (Lastrea) lepidotum— Las'-tre-a ; lep-id-o'-tum (scaly). A variety of 

 -A^. dilatatum. 



N. (Lastrea) lepidum— Las'-tre-a ; lep'-id-um (pretty), Baker. 



This remarkably elegant, greenhouse Fern (see Plate), which originated 

 at the Pine-Apple Nursery, Edgware Road, London, may be a distinct species. 



