ONYCHIUM. 



17 



some of the finest Adiantums, and remain fresh much longer. Their habits 

 are totally distinct, a character which cannot possibly be attributed to their 

 different habitats. While 0. auratum produces its ample and handsomely 

 decompound fronds from a single crown, thus forming a sort of miniature 

 Pteris tremula with finely-divided foliage, 0. japonicum, on the contrary, 

 produces them from numerous underground rhizomes (prostrate stems), making 

 thick tufts of graceful and pleasing foliage, green on both sides ; whereas that 

 of the former species, when in a fertile state, is of a beautiful golden colour 

 beneath, which gives the plant quite the appearance of a golden Fern. The 

 colouring, however, is due, not, as in Grymnogrammes and ISTothochlEenas, to 

 the presence of powder, but to the indusia, which are of a bright,- rich golden 

 hue. It is not in habit only that these two most interesting species differ, 

 for the treatment which they require is also dissimilar. While 0. japonicum 

 thrives well in a cool house — in fact, will not stand stove treatment, under 

 which it is soon attacked by thrips — 0. auratum requires a stove, or at least 

 a good intermediate house, all the year round. The same compost suits them 

 both, viz., a mixture of fibrous loam, peat 'or leaf mould, and silver sand, in 

 about equal proportions. Both should be potted loosely, as they have great 

 aversion to hard soil at any time. Care must also be taken to ensure their 

 fronds being kept dry at all seasons, as if allowed to get wet they soon turn 

 to a darkish brown colour and begin to decay. 



0. japonicum is easily propagated from spores, which germinate freely, 

 or by division ; but the same cannot be said of 0. auratum, which no doubt 

 would be equally popular if its propagation were more rapid ; the fact of its 

 forming only single crowns prevents its increase by division. The only 

 mode of dealing effectually with this handsome species is, therefore, by means 

 of seedlings, which come up freely enough, but which have a natural tendency 

 to damp off just above ground while in a young state. 



Species. 



0. auratum — aur-a'-tum (golden), Kaulfuss. 



This lovely, evergreen, stove species is a native of the Malayan Peninsula 

 and Islands ; it is also found on the Himalayas up to 5000ft. elevation, on 

 the Neilgherries, and on the Paulghaut Mountains. The barren and the 



VOL. III. c 



