32 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



just named, a mixture of turfy loam and fibrous peat will suit them very 

 well, and the addition of a portion of river sand will induce the development 

 of roots, which will run in all directions, and thus insure the production of 

 numerous robust fronds. Though requiring an abundance of water at the 

 roots at all times of the year, the plants dislike being syringed overhead. 



The propagation of Osmundas is invariably effected by means of spores, 

 which are produced in abundance and germinate very freely. 



Principal Species and Varieties. 



0. bipinnata — bip-in-na'-ta (twice pinnate), Hooker. 



This is a handsome, greenhouse, evergreen species, native of Hong-Kong. 

 It has at different times and by various firms been imported into this 

 country ; yet, notwithstanding its good habit and generally useful qualities, 

 it remains very scarce. In general appearance it somewhat resembles the 

 better-known 0. java?iica, from which, however, it differs in not having simply- 

 pinnate fronds. The fronds of 0. bipinnata, which are produced in great 

 abundance from an upright-growing rootstock, are, as the specific name implies, 

 bipinnate, their leaflets not being simply pinnatifid, but clearly and distinctly 

 pinnate again, a few of the terminal ones only excepted. They are borne on 

 tufted, rather slender, glossy stalks 1ft. or more in length, and measure ljft. 

 to 2ft. in length and 6in. to lOin. in breadth. The leaflets, of a somewhat 

 leathery texture, are of a shining nature while on the plant, although 

 perfectly destitute of gloss when in a dry state ; they are Sin, to 4in. 

 long, lin. broad, and oblong-spear-shaped. The upper leaflets are barren 

 and simple (undivided) ; below these are several pairs provided with 

 winged stalks, and, on each side, numerous entire, oblong pinnules (leafits), 

 which are closely set, nearly overlapping, about fin; in length, bluntish, and 

 quite stalkless. The fertile part consists of three or four opposite pairs of 

 pinnas (leaflets), with several cylindrical leafits on each side, Jin. to Jin. long. 

 These fertile segments are much contracted, covered with fructification, and 

 of a pleasing light brown colour. Its compact, though somewhat stiff, habit, 

 and the leathery texture of its shining, > dark green fronds, render this 

 species very useful, as the fronds remain on the plant a very long time. — 

 Hooker, Filices Exotica?, t. 9. 



