416 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



white, edged, and rigid in texture ; those of the upper plane are nearly as 

 long and have the same sharp-pointed character. The fruiting spikes are 

 Jin. to Jin. long. 



S. C. elongata — e-lon-ga'-ta (lengthened), Spring. 



In this variety the stems, which reach 1ft. or more in length, are simple 

 in the lower part, and their primary branches are more elongated and more 

 pinnate than in the type. 



S. C. Emiliana — E-mil-i-a'-na (Emilie's), Van Houtte. 



This form, better known in commerce as S. Emiliana, is, undoubtedly, 

 the best grower of the whole section, and a plant of unsurpassed merit for 

 decoration. Its handsome branches, 6in. to 9in. long and copiously divided, 

 are abundantly produced ; they are of a pleasing light green colour, and 

 upright when young, becoming horizontal, if not pendulous, and of a bright 

 though darker green colour with age. Very handsome, bushy plants of this 

 variety can be grown in comparatively small pots. — Baker, Handbook of the 

 Fern-Allies, p. 89. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, hi., p. 409. 



S. delicatissima — de-lic-a-tis'-sim-a (very delicate), A. Braun. 



This greenhouse species, of which the fruiting spikes are unknown, is a 

 very pretty but delicate plant, with thread-like, trailing stems, forked and 

 copiously branched. It was introduced by Linden, but whence is unknown. 

 — Baker, Handbook of the Fern- Allies, p. 42. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, hi., p. 409. 



S. densa — den'-sa (dense). A garden name for S. apus. 



S. denticulata — den-tic-ul-a'-ta (small-toothed), Link. 



This greenhouse species, of prostrate, trailing habit, very much resembles 

 the better-known S. helvetica, from which, however, when in fructification, it 

 is readily distinguished by its square fruiting spikes, only Jin. long and 

 stalkless. It is a native of the Mediterranean region, being found from 

 Madeira and the Canaries to Syria. In exposed places the whole plant 

 sometimes turns bright red when old. — Baker, Handbook of the Fern-Allies, 

 p. 37. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, hi., p. 409. 



