NEPHROLEPIS. 



595 



greyish hue, thus giving the whole plant quite a distinct appearance.— 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening^ ii., p. 445. Lowe, Ferns British and 

 Exotic, vii., t. 21. 



N. e. neglecta — ne-glec'-ta (untrimmed), Kunze. 



A singular form, reminding one, by the strange way in which the leaflets 

 are set, of some of the depauperated and cruciated forms of our British 

 Polystichums and Athyriums (Aspidiums and Aspleniums). The fronds, 

 which vary in length from 1ft. to 2ft., have a peculiarly narrow appearance 

 produced by the nature of their leaflets, some being cordate (heart-shaped), 

 some cruciate (in the form of a cross), and some again almost triangular ; 

 they are set somewhat far apart on a thick, round, and slightly scaly stalk. 

 These leaflets, however, possess the advantage of being much more securely 

 attached to the midrib than those of any of the other kinds belonging to the 

 genus, and are not so easily afi'ected by want of water at the roots. The sori 

 (spore masses) are covered with a nearly round involucre attached to the frond 

 by its centre. This is not a good Fern for pot or for basket culture, 

 but it is very striking when planted on the rockery, where it grows in 

 "fine masses. 



N. e. YOlubilis— vol-u'-bil-is (twining), /. Smith. 



A straggling, flexuose (zizgag-bending) form, of South American origin ; 

 it is more remarkable for its peculiar habit than on account of its beauty. 



N. falciformis — fal-cif-or'-mis (sickle-formed), De Vriese. 



A handsome, stove species, native of Borneo, with fronds of somewhat 

 upright habit, IJft. to 2ft. long, comparatively narrow, and furnished with 

 numerous leaflets, the lower of which are barren, being somewhat oblong, the 

 upper fertile ones being narrowly sickle-shaped, sharp -pointed, thrown back, 

 l^in. long, |in. broad, and slightly eared at the base on the upper margin. 

 The sori (spore masses) are not marginal, but are disposed in one row half- 

 way between the midvein and the edge. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, 

 ii., p. 445. 



N. floccigera — floc-cig'-er-a (bearing little tufts of wool), Moore. 



This strong-growing, stove species, native of Java and the Celebes, 

 somewhat resembles N. exaltata in habit, but is easily distinguished from that 



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