'552 



THE BOOR OF CHOICE FERNS. 



narrow-oblong lobes, which are broadest in the barren fronds ; the lower 

 leaflets are smaller and deflexed (thrown back), and all are of a soft, papery 

 texture. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in rows near the margin of 

 the lobes. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 89. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, ii., p. 442. Eaton, Ferns of North America, i., t. 7. 



There exists a variety which is generally imported from Essex County, 

 New York, and which differs from the above species only in the sweet and 

 agreeable odour emitted by its slightly more rigid and narrower fronds. 

 Eaton states that a few plants of it, dried in the open air, will perfume 

 a room deliciously for a long time. 



N. (Lastrea) Obtusilobum — Las'-tre-a ; ob-tu-sil'-ob-um (blunt-lobed). 

 Baker. 



A stove species, of large dimensions, native of Ceylon, with fronds 3ft. 

 to 4ft. long and IJft. to 2ft. broad, borne on firm, upright stalks that 

 are Ift. to 2ft. long and densely clothed with large, egg-shaped, light-coloured 

 scales. The lower leaflets are frequently Ift. long and 6in. broad, and their 

 pinnules (leafits), cut down to the midrib into oblong, entire lobes, are of 

 a soft, papery texture, with their under-surface more or less glandular. The 

 sori (spore masses) are disposed along the midvein. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, 

 p. 284. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 296. 



N. (Lastrea) Odoratum— Las'-tre-a ; od-o-ra'-tum (fragrant). Baker. 



This very interesting, comparatively small, greenhouse species, also known 

 as N. eriocarpum of Decaisne and N^,- hirsutum of Don, has a very wide range 

 of habitat. It is said to be found at elevations of between 7000ft. and 8000ft. 

 in Northern India, whereas Beddome, in " Ferns of Southern India," says it is 

 found on the Peringoonda Hill, in the Anamallays, at an altitude of 5000ft. ; 

 it is also a native of South China, the Malayan Peninsula, Mauritius, &c. 

 This Fern has a very peculiar a|)pearance, produced by the stout, ascending 

 stem from which the fronds rise, and which, like that of the common Cushion 

 Fern {Dicksonia Culcita), is provided with a thickness of about 2in. of scales, 

 nearly lin. long and of a beautiful golden colour. The stalks, densely clothed 

 at their bases with similar scales, are Ift. to IJft. long. The leafy portion is 

 deltoid (in shape of the Greek delta. A), from 9in. to 18in. each way, and 



