NEPHRODIUM. 



549 



N. m. cristatum — cris-ta'-tum (crested), Moore. 



The fronds of this variety, which was originally found in Monmouthshire, 

 are somewhat smaller than those of the normal form, and terminate in corymbs 

 (agglomerations) of a leafy natm^e. The extremities of the leaflets are also 

 much crested and crisped, although not to such a degree as the summit of 

 the frond. — Lowe^ Our Native Ferns, i., fig. 174. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, ii., p. 442. 



N. m. Nowellianum— Now-el-li-a'-num (No well's), Moore. 



This form of the Mountain Buckler Fern — by far the most extraordinary 

 hitherto discovered — is as interesting as it is distinct. It was originally found 

 near Lake Gyrionedd, in North Wales, and has proved constant under 

 cultivation it is of so remarkable a character that anyone only moderately 

 acquainted with the genus would be puzzled to say to which species it is 

 related, as it shows so very Uttle of the character of the typical plant. The 

 fronds, which vary from IJft. to 2ft. in length and from 4in. to 6in. in 

 breadth, are pinnate (divided to the midrib), being furnished with very narrow 

 leaflets, and terminate much more abruptly than in the normal species ; their 

 pinnules (leafits) are extremely short, deeply cut and serrated, often curiously 

 hooked and horned. The sori (spore masses) are very conspicuous. — Lowe, 

 Our Native Ferns, i., fig. 176. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., 

 p. 442. 



N. m. truncatum — trun-ca'-tum (maimed, bitten otF), Moore. 



This very curious variety, which was found near Tunbridge Wells and 

 also at Llanberis, Carnarvonshire, possesses a peculiar appearance owing to 

 the extremities of all the leaflets of its fronds terminating abruptly, appearing 

 as if eaten off in a uniform manner by some insect. The extremity of the 

 rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) frequently projects ^in. beyond the pinnules 

 (leafits). In all other respects this plant is normal. — Lowe, Our Native 

 Ferns, i., fig. 176. 



N. (Eunephrodium) multijugum— Eu-neph-ro'-di-um ; mul-tij'-ug-um 

 (having many pairs of leafits), Baker. 

 A stove species, of large dimensions, native of the Malayan Peninsula. 

 Its ample fronds, oft. to 4ft. long, 1ft. to IJft. broad, and borne on strong. 



