274 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



stalks 1ft. or more in length and of a glossy nature. The terminal leaflet, 

 6in. to 12in. long and 2in, to 3in. broad, is made up of numerous narrow 

 lobes, which reach down nearly to the rachis and are finely toothed when 

 barren. The several pairs of lateral leaflets are similar to the terminal one, 

 the lowest showing one to three small pinnules (leafits) at the base on the 

 lower side. The fronds are of a soft, papery texture and naked on both 

 surfaces, and the narrow sori (spore masses) form a continuous line along 

 nearly the whole length of the leafits. — Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 185. 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, hi., p. 242. 



P. f. ascensionis — as-cen-si-o'-nis (from Ascension Island), Swartz. 



This variety is of much smaller dimensions than the species, its lower 

 leaflets sometimes showing several small, compound leafits on both sides. It 

 naturally grows in a very exposed situation and has more or less horizontal 

 fronds with ascending or nearly upright leaflets. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, 

 p. 161. 



P. (Litobrochia) Fraseri — Li-tob-roch'-i-a ; Fra'-ser-i (Fraser's), Mettenius. 



This very distinct, stove species, native of the Andes of Ecuador, is a 

 strong-growing plant, with fronds broadly triangular, three times divided, 

 measuring about 3ft. each way, and borne on tufted, naked stalks sometimes 

 4ft. to 5ft. long. Both surfaces are smooth and of a bright green colour. 

 The fertile portions are narrow, and the sori (spore masses) extend to their 

 extremity. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum., p. 480. 



P. geranifolia — ger-an-if-oF-i-a (Geranium-leaved). The plant found in 

 gardens under this name is Pellcea geranicefolia. 



P. Ghiesbreghtii — Grhies-bregh'-ti-i (Grhiesbreght's). A variety of 

 P. laciniata. 



P. (Litobrochia) gigantea — Li-tob-roch'-I-a ; gig-ant-e'-a (gigantic), 

 Willdenow. 



A very large-growing, stove species, native of the West Indies, Colombia, 

 and Peru, with fronds three times divided and borne on stout, erect, naked 

 stalks 2ft. to 3ft. long. The terminal leaflet, 1ft. long and Sin. broad, is cut 



