62 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



part of the Fernery. Should, for instance, a huge projecting boulder require 

 covering, no Fern is better adapted to that purpose than a plant of 

 N. davallioides furcans, whose habit is so totally different from all other 

 species belonging to the genus. From a central tuft or agglomeration of 

 crowns, its beautifully-crested fronds, which attain fully 4ft. in length, are 

 produced abundantly all the year round. Instead of being erect in habit, 

 like those of many other species, the weight of the tassels which terminate 

 them gives them a graceful and arching appearance, which is not possessed 

 in an equal degree by any other Nephrolepis. N. acuta, N. davallioides, 

 and N. rufescens tripinnatijida, of equally robust growth, are much more at 

 home when planted in a deep recess or a hollow place, with plenty of 

 space overhead, as their fronds, also about 4ft. long, take a much more erect 

 direction. Among the kinds of smaller dimensions, N. cordifolia pectinatu 

 (N. pectinata of commerce) and N. philippinensis are the most distinct. The 

 former, on account of its close, compact, yet graceful habit, and the greyish 

 colour of its comparatively short and slender fronds, is a unique plant. 



Although comprising many species of diminutive dimensions, the genus 

 Acrosticlmm also supplies a goodly number of plants which are most useful, 

 either for making boulders and archways naturally ornamental, or for adorning 

 Tree- Fern stems. In their natural habitats, many of them ascend trees by 

 means of the extension of their rhizomes, which are generally thick and of 

 a fleshy nature, and sometimes, as in the case of A. sorbifolium, attain 40ft. 

 in length. In most cases, Acrostichums are not only decorative, but equally 

 interesting ; for their fructification, disposed on separate fronds, is totally 

 different from that of most other Ferns. In that respect these plants may 

 be classed (as curiosities only) with Osmundas and Anemias, which are 

 commonly termed " Flowering Ferns." Many of the strong-growing kinds — 

 such as A. acuminatum, whose shining barren fronds are bipinnate and very 

 drooping ; A. Blumeanum, A. cervinum, A. (Stenochlce?ia) scandens, A. sorbi- 

 folium, &c, with pinnate fronds ; A. Herminieri, A. scolopendrifolium, A. 

 simplex, and others with simple fronds— are most useful and ornamental, as, 

 through their habit and the texture of their foliage, they are entirely distinct 

 from all other Ferns. They may also be used very effectively as pillar 

 plants, in which case the columns of the house should be surrounded by a 

 cylinder made of galvanised wire, which should be gradually filled up with 



