4(5 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



for varietal names. As a plant of similarly strong habit, and whose cri station 

 is both ornamental and distinct, Davallia (Microlepia) liirta cristata may be 

 considered a natural companion to the above-named Nephrolepis. Its robust 

 growth, makes it valuable to the amateur ; its long, massive, beautifully- 

 arching, heavily-tasselled fronds render it one of the best Ferns for the 

 decorator ; while its easy mode of reproduction, true from spores, enables the 

 market grower to produce in enormous quantities a plant for which he finds 

 a ready sale. 



Among smaller-growing kinds of exotic Ferns introduced into Europe in 

 crested forms, we may note Osmunda regalis japonica corymbifera and 

 Davallia Mariesii cristata; both of these are of Japanese origin, and their 

 introduction into Europe dates from about 1880. In both instances the 

 seedlings reproduce exactly the typical crested plants. The propagation of 

 Osmunda regalis japonica corymbifera, which, through its dwarf and compact 

 habit, is unquestionably the best of all the known forms of the Royal Fern 

 for decorative purposes, and especially for pot- culture, would be particularly 

 slow were it not that the spores, which are very sparingly produced, germinate 

 freely, and until now have not been known to yield any variations. From 

 the information supplied by the collector who introduced it from Japan, where 

 he remained several years, it is positively certain that, although the plain 

 0. regalis japonica is very prolific there, the crested form, in its native habitat, 

 has never been seen in fructification. The same character of sterility was 

 equally observed during the four years following its introduction into Europe, 

 after which time first a very small portion of frond, then part of another, 

 became, as it would appear, accidentally fertile. The spores then gathered 

 were sown, and in due course a progeny of young plants, resembling the 

 parent in all respects, were produced. Although five years have elapsed, and 

 the plant that yielded the spores from which the first crop of European 

 seedlings originated has greatly increased in size, and has been very carefully 

 watched year after year, there has been no other sign of fructification ; but, 

 on the other hand, several plants of the younger generation have produced 

 fertile fronds, and those again have yielded innumerable young subjects, 

 partaking of the same characters as the original parent. 



In the case of Davallia Mariesii cristata, there would be no real necessity 

 for depending on the reproduction of the crested character by the seedling 



