VARIEGATED AND CRESTED FERNS. 



41 



green in colour, and their broad, slightly-undulated segments are ornamented 

 throughout with a broad, white band, which gradually diminishes in intensity 

 as it approaches the edges. 



In June, 1877, Messrs. James Veitch and Sons exhibited, at a meeting of 

 the Royal Botanic Society, an exceedingly pretty variegated Fern, under the 

 name of Pteris ensiformis variegata, which was then certificated. Its little 

 fronds, the longest of which were barely Sin. long, were particularly attractive 

 on account of the brightness of their silver markings. The variegation, which 

 equally affected the lateral pinnae, was particularly noticeable on the terminal 

 one ; this, compared with that of most other Pteris, as also with the size 

 of the plant, was very long. The partial extinction of this particularly neat 

 little Fern is a matter for regret, as it was thoroughly distinct from all other 

 known kinds. It is equally surprising as it must have been of easy repro- 

 duction, the plants shown on the occasion referred to having been raised 

 in England from spores received from India, thus showing that, like all other 

 well -variegated Ferns, this had the power of reproducing itself true from 

 seedlings. 



There are a few other variegated Ferns which do not belong to either 

 Adiantum or Pteris, and which only require cool-house treatment. Among 

 these the most beautiful is assuredly Asplenium macrocarpum (Goringianum) 

 pictum, a very handsome Japanese kind, of medium size. Its fronds are 

 abundantly produced from a fleshy, underground rhizome ; they are very 

 graceful (but, unfortunately, also very brittle), and particularly striking on 

 account of their pretty claret- coloured rachis, on each side of which are the 

 pinna? variegated with white, and furnished throughout with a central whitish 

 band ; as the fronds get matured, the band assumes a greyish hue, very 

 distinct from the dark ground surrounding it. 



A most valuable addition to the group of variegated Ferns that are nearly 

 hardy and of robust constitution, is found in Nephrodium Otaria (aristatum) 

 variegatum, a Japanese species. Its variegation, which is very good and 

 clear, is a light yellowish -green on a dark shining ground. Its constitution 

 and the nature of its fronds render it one of the most enduring of all 

 cool Ferns. 



There are two species in which the foliage, if not strictly variegated, is 

 spotted with white. The more interesting of these is Gymnogramme Muelleri, 



a 



