NEPHRODIUM. 



559 



nearly to the midrib), and borne on stalks of a slightly downy nature. The 

 sessile pinnaa (stalkless leaflets) are strap-shaped and sharply pointed, the 

 central ones, which are the largest, being from 6in. to 9in. long and fin. 

 broad ; all are cut down to a broad wing into sickle-shaped lobes of a 

 rigidly-leathery texture, smooth on both surfaces, and with ribs finely hairy. 

 The minute sori (spore masses) are disposed along the midvein, and are 

 covered with a smooth involucre of a persistent nature. — Hooker, Syiiojjsis 

 Filicum, p. 502. 



N. (Lastrea) prolificum — Las'-tre-a ; pro-lif'-ic-um (prolific), 3foore. 



This greenhouse or even hardy species — one of the most interesting of 

 the many Ferns introduced from Japan — is of comparatively small dimensions. 

 Its fronds, which are produced from a succulent crown showing very little 

 above the surface of the ground, and borne on green, wiry stalks 6in. to Din. 

 long, are of a somewhat elongated -triangular form, seldom exceed 1ft. in length, 

 and are tripinnate (three times divided to the midrib). The numerous leaflets 

 and their sub-divisions, of a leathery texture and shining dark green colour, 

 being set far apart, give the whole plant an elegant appearance. A very 

 singular character peculiar to this species is that it produces, either in the 

 axils of the leaflets or, less frequently, on the margins of their lobes, 

 innumerable leafy buds, by which it is easily and rapidly propagated. The 

 abundance of the sori and their colour are also very characteristic, for the 

 under- side of the lobes is entirely covered with conspicuous spore masses of 

 a beautiful red when young, turning later on to a deep purple colour, as in 

 iV. erythrosorum, to which species the present plant appears to be related. 

 It is undoubtedly a most distinct Fern, deservmg a place in every good 

 collection, for, on account of its pecuHarity .as well as its elegance, it 

 never fails to prove a subject of great attraction. — Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, iv., p. 573. 



N. propinquum— prop-in'-qil-um (allied), Wollaston. 



This is the Lastrea Filix-mas ahhreviata of Babington and Moore, which 

 Mr. Wollaston ranks as a species, on account of its more compact habit, 

 more beautiful outline, and thoroughly deciduous character. — Loive, Oar 

 Native Ferns, i., pp. 234, 235, and 280. 



