GOLD AND SILVER FERNS. 



51 



character of curiosity is, however, imparted to it by the fact that, as the 

 plant becomes adult, all, or at least the majority, of the pinnules completely 

 turn back, their extremity being perfectly incurved ; these, being of a bright 

 golden- yellow colour, give a most peculiar, and certainly a very attractive, 

 appearance to the plant, which then looks as if dotted all over with yellow 

 heads, in some cases as large as good-sized peas. This curious variety 

 also possesses the property of freely reproducing itself true from spores. Such 

 are the variations in size and habit among the kinds forming the Golden 

 section. 



The plants belonging to the Silver section, although as a rule not such 

 strong growers, are nevertheless very showy, and of a more uniform size ; yet 

 unless it happens to be under very special and favourable conditions Gymno- 

 gramrne calomelanos peruviana remains comparatively low, and forms much 

 more bushy plants than most other kinds : its fronds, in point of size, are 

 equal to any of those belonging to the Golden section. Numerous inter- 

 mediate forms are found between this excellent species (distinguishable at 

 first sight from all others through its beautifully massive fronds, covered on 

 both surfaces with a thick layer of powder as white as snow) and the dwarf- 

 habited, though long-fronded, G. tartarea. Then we have the very long- 

 fronded G. calomelanos sjjectabilis, showing a much more erect habit of growth, 

 and attaining quite 4ft. in height. 



G. trifoliata is a most interesting and very curious kind, differing 

 from all other species, not only in its scandent habit, but also in the 

 singular form of its fronds, which are linear and trifoliolate ; these have 

 also the power of extending to an almost indefinite length, and their under 

 surface is covered in some instances with white, and in others with pale 

 yellow, powder, rendered all the more apparent by the dark green colour of 

 the upper surface of the pinna;. 



Among the plain-fronded Gymnogrammes there is one, named G. decom- 

 posita, which is very handsome, but somewhat difficult to classify, on account 

 of the changeable colour of the farinose powder of its finely-divided, triangular 

 fronds, which frequently reach quite 3ft. in length. While the plant is young, 

 these are white, or nearly so; but the covering of the crown and stalks is of 

 a j^ellow hue, which gradually deepens as the plant gets older. This species is 

 also of a more erect and more decorative habit than most other kinds 



