594 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



are covered with a firm and distinctly kidney -shaped involucre.— ZZ'oo^'er, 

 Species FiUciitn, iv., p. 152. Nicholson^ Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 445. 

 Beddd7ne, Ferns of Southern India, t. 93. Eaton, Ferns of North America, 

 ii., t. 63. 



For indoor decoration, as well as for general use, N. exaltata has no 

 equal, and being of a particularly accommodating nature it thrives well under 

 other Ferns in places which possibly would otherwise remain bare. It is also 

 well adapted for planting on a cool rockery, either in out-of-the-way corners 

 or on rocks near water ; but, wherever it is planted, care should be taken to 



Fi^. 146. Frond of Nephrolepis exaltata 

 (much reduced). 



give it plenty of room, so as to ensure the full development of its beautiful 

 fronds. N. exaltata is a rapid grower, and soon forms very ornamental masses 

 when planted out ; but when left alone it has a tendency to overrun any more 

 delicate Ferns which may happen to be near it. 



N. e. hirsutula — hir-su'-tul-a (covered with small hairs), FresL 



Eaton, in his " Ferns of North America," referring to this plant, says 

 (vol. ii., p. 130) : " The hirsute form is more common in India, China, and 

 Polynesia, but it is found also in several parts of Tropical America," It is 

 grown less extensively than other kinds, probably on account of the softness 

 of its foliage, which is densely covered with short, soft hairs of a peculiar 



