296 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



6in. long, while the lower ones are provided with several long, narrow leafits 

 on each side ; the edge of the barren ones is conspicuously saw-toothed, and 

 the fertile ones show a narrow involucre of a parchment-like texture covering 

 the spore masses.— Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 167. Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, iii., p. 245. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, iii., t. 40. Eaton, 

 Ferns of North America, ii., t. 78. 



Pteris serrulata is extremely variable, and through its variations it is 

 brought into close connection with P. cretica. Although some of the 

 numerous varieties produced by cultivation are not of sufficient' interest to 

 deserve special notice, and are only found to be distinct from one another when 

 submitted to close comparison, there are other forms which are thoroughly 

 distinct either in habit, size, or general appearance. Cristation is the form of 

 variation which, as a rule, is most noticeable, though there are some others, 

 and it is worthy of notice that most of the varieties thus obtained possess 

 the power of reproducing themselves true from their spores. The following 

 are the most distinct forms known : 



P. S. angustata — an-gus-ta'-ta (narrow), Moore. 



In this variety, of very elegant habit, the fronds have their leaflets 

 narrower than those of the species ; they are of a peculiar light green colour, 

 of dimensions about equal to those of the typical plant, finely toothed 

 throughout, and terminate in loose, narrow tassels. — Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, iii., p. 245. 



P. S. Applebyana— Apple-by-a'-na (Appleby's), Moore. 



The fronds of this variety are long, much branched, and pendulous ; the 

 narrow leaflets, also beautifully pendent, have their extremity furnished with 

 a much-divided and fringed, moss-like tassel. — Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, iii., p. 245. 



P. S. COrymbifera — cor-ymb-if'-er-a (corymb-bearing), Moore. 



The fronds of this very handsome variety generally reach from 1ft. to 

 ljft. in length ; they are of a peculiarly erect habit, and all their leaflets, 

 being much shortened, form dense, crisp, corymbiferous heads of a pleasing 

 bright green colour. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 245. 



