NEPHRODIUM. 



541 



four to eight lanceolate (spear -shaped) lateral ones on each side : these are 

 either entire or slightly lobed, the lowest pair being distinctly forked at the 

 base. The fronds are of a soft, papery texture, pale green, and usually naked 

 on both surfaces. The sori (spore masses), which are kidney-shaped and 

 disposed in two rows between each primary vein, are usually situated on the 

 middle of a veinlet. — Hooker^ Si^ecies Filicum, iv., p. 56. Loive^ Ferns British 

 and Exotic^ vi., t. 46. 



N. (Sagenia) mamillosum— Sag-e'-m-a ; mam-il-lo'-sum (nippled), Baler. 



A stove species, native of the Moluccas, and somewhat resembling 

 N. decurrens, from which species, however, it is easily distinguished through 

 its leaflets being undivided, and especially through the pecuhar nature of its 

 sori (spore masses), which are so deeply immersed in the frond as to make 

 the upper surface appear as if covered with minute nipples, — Nicholson^ 

 Dictionary of Gai^dening, iv., p. 578, 



N. (Lastrea) marginale — Las'-tre-a ; mar-gin-a'-le (having marginal 

 spore masses), Michaux. 

 This handsome, hardy species, which in general habit is about midway 

 between the typical form of N. Filix-mas and cristatum, is deserving of 

 a much more general cultivation than is the case at present. It is a native 

 of North America, where it is known under the popular name of " Evergreen 

 Wood Fern," and whence, according to Lowe, it was introduced into the 

 Royal Gardens, Kew, so far back as 1712. Eaton says it is one of the most 

 abundant and characteristic Ferns confined to North America ; it is found in 

 New Brunswick, Arkansas, and Central Alabama ; it w^as also gathered by 

 Drummond on the Saskatchewan and on the Rocky Mountains of British 

 America ; and Eaton further informs us that it grows " on rocky hill- sides in 

 rich woods, especially Avhere black leaf-mould has gathered between the masses 

 of rocks." The spear-shaped fronds, IJft. to 2ft. long and Bin. to Sin. broad, 

 are borne on stalks 6in. to 12in. long, clothed principally at the base with 

 shining scales of a Hght brown colour. They are bipinnate (twice divided to 

 the midrib), wdth leaflets Sin. to 4in. long, lin. to l^^^in. broad, of a more 

 leathery texture than those of most other species belonging to the genus, and 

 also of a darker green colour. The pinnules (leafits) are oblong, blunt at 



