422 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



are very densely tufted, 2in. to 6 in. long, two or three times divided and 

 branched nearly or quite from the base, the branching of all grades being 

 half-way between fan-shaped and pinnate. The leaves of the lower plane, 

 egg-shaped but distinctly pointed, are much crowded, bright green, very thick 

 and rigid in texture, and nearly equal-sided • those of the upper plane, nearly 

 as long, are broadly spear-shaped and terminate in a distinct, sharp, short point. 

 The fruiting spikes, sparingly produced, are short and square.— Baker, Handbook 

 of the Fern- Allies, p. 87. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, hi., p. 411. 



S. i. texta — tex'-ta (woven), J. Makoy. 



In this very peculiar form, which originated in Belgian gardens, the 

 branches are generally simple, though sometimes slightly forked, and average 

 about 6in. in length. — Nicholson, Dictionary - of Gardening, hi., p. 411. 



S. i. Yariegata — var-i-eg-a'-ta (variegated), Moore. 



This form is distinguished from the typical plant only in having the 

 tips of some of the branches creamy-white (see Plate, for which we are 

 indebted to Mr. William Bull).— Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, hi., 

 p. 411. 



S. japonica— jap-on'-ic-a (Japanese). A variety of S. caulescens. 



S. Kraussiana— Kraus-si-a'-na (Krauss'), A. Braun. 



An extremely useful species, which in gardens is found under the names 

 S. denticulata and Lycopodium denticulatum ; it has a very wide range of 

 habitat, being a native of Cape Colony, Natal, Fernando Po, the Cameroon 

 Mountains, the Azores, Madeira, &c. Its trailing stems, 6in. to 12in. long, 

 are jointed at the nodes, flat on the back, roundish on the face, with copiously- 

 divided branches. The leaves of the lower plane are oblong -spear -shaped, 

 bright green, of a soft texture, and slightly overlap the stem ; those of the 

 upper plane are one-third as long, and egg-shaped. The short fruiting spikes 

 are square. — Baker, Handbook of the Fern- Allies, p. 65. Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, iii., p. 411. 



This species has produced three varieties, which in gardens are known as 

 follow : aurea, with yellow leaves ; Brownii, a dwarf, green form from the 

 Azores ; and variegata, having the tips of the young growths quite white. 



