NEPHROLEPIS. 



593 



elegant, vase-shaped appearance (see Plate). In fact, nothing short of the moist 

 heat of a stove will induce it to show its characters in their best condition. 

 The leaflets, which are usually small, of various sizes, rounded at the summit 

 and toothed at the edges, are produced in pairs, one overlying the other, and, 

 curiously enough, those on the upper side are the largest ; their disposition 

 is irregular, the pairs being sometimes opposite, but mostly alternate, distant 

 towards the base, approximate higher up, and imbricated (quite overlapping) 

 in the crested portion of the fronds. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, 

 ii., p. 445. 



Being a totally barren plant, N. Buffii can only be propagated by division 

 of the crowns, an operation easily performed at almost any time of the year, 

 but with greater safety in early spring ; or by young plants produced from 

 the rhizomes, which, however, are not so plentiful as in other species. It is 

 one of the best Ferns for pot culture, its somewhat upright habit making it 

 less suitable than other species for baskets, brackets, and wall -coverings. 



N. ensifolia — en-sif-oF-i-a ( sword -fronded). Synonymous with N. acuta. 



N. exaltata— ex-al-ta'-ta (lofty), Schott. 



Though one of the commonest of the whole genus, this stove species is 

 very justly also one of the most popular. From Lowe's description and 

 particulars, we gather that it was introduced by Mr. Anderson to the Royal 

 Gardens, Kew, in the year 1793. Its range of habitat is very extensive : 

 Beddome, in his " Ferns of Southern India," gives it as a native of Wynad, 

 the Anamallays, and Neilgherries. Eaton, in the "Ferns of North America," 

 states (vol. ii., p. 130) that it is found growing on decomposing vegetable matter 

 and on the trunks of trees, particularly the Cabbage Palmetto, in South 

 Florida, and adds that it is also found in Mexico, the West Indies, Central 

 and South America, South Asia, China, the Pacific Islands, Australia, and 

 part of Africa. Its fronds, 2ft. or more long and 3in. to Gin. broad, are borne 

 on tufted, firm stalks 4in. to 6in. long, of a naked or slightly scaly nature. 

 The leaflets, of a somewhat leathery texture, are IJin. to 3in. long, ^in. to 

 ^in. broad, and usually sharp -pointed, with the edge entire or slightly toothed, 

 the upper side eared, and the lower rounded at the base (Fig. 146, reduced 

 fi-om Col. Beddome's " Ferns of Southern India," by the kind permission of 

 the author). The sori (spore masses), disposed near the margin of the leaflets, 



VOL. II. 2 Q 



