GOLD AND SILVER FERNS. 



53 



sections require stove treatment, and, in order to keep their foliage in perfect 

 condition, syringing overhead should at all times be carefully avoided. 



The genus Nothochlama also supplies us with Ferns which are rendered 

 golden and silver by a coating of powder under their fronds ; and among 

 these the most striking are, no doubt, N. nivea and N. fiavens (or N. chryso- 

 phylla, as it is most commonly called). The outlines of the fronds in both 

 species are very similar to those of an Adiantum, which accounts for their 

 being spoken of by amateurs not particularly well acquainted with them as 

 Golden and Silver Maidenhairs, their black and shining stems, and their 

 roundish and minute pinnules, reminding one forcibly of plants belonging 

 to the genus Adiantum. These Nothochkenas are, however, much more 

 easily managed, and therefore much more frequently found in cultivation, 

 than the true Silver and Golden Maidenhairs, Adiantum wthiopicum scabrum 

 and A. a. sidphureum ; and the white or the yellow exudation, which covers 

 the under side of their fronds, is, in both cases, freely interspersed with the 

 sori, as black as jet. Totally different in appearance from Nothoclilozna nivea 

 and N. fiavens is N. trichoma?ioides, a West Indian species, with narrow, 

 pinnate fronds, attaining about l^ft. in length, and beautifully silvery on the 

 under surface- 

 As regards the true Golden and Silver Maidenhairs, it may be stated 

 here that both varieties of Adiantum cethiopicum are natives of Chili, where they 

 are found growing on bare rocks in elevated and exposed places, and that 

 both are of very dwarf habit, seldom exceeding 8 in. in height. The pinna? 

 of A. a?, scabrum are rather large, compared with the size of the plant ; 

 they are almost reniform, and copiously dusted on both sides with a white 

 farinose powder ; whereas those of A. m. sulphureum, of a similar shape, are 

 much smaller, and only become golden underneath as the fronds become 

 fertile ; they are then sparingly powdered on their upper surface, while the 

 under side, thickly covered with yellow meal, is further ornamented by the 

 sori, continuous and well marked all around the edge. It is much to be 

 regretted that, on account of the wrong treatment which they usually receive, 

 these most interesting Ferns have become almost extinct in collections ; they 

 are best treated in a cool-house, on a dry shelf, close to the light, where 

 they require very little shading in summer, although during that time they 

 greatly benefit by being kept well watered at the roots, especially if potted 



