66 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



of being smooth, and somewhat shiny at the base, are there densely covered 

 with chaffy scales, which vary in colour according to the species. This 

 group is best and most extensively represented by the popular G. flabellata, 

 a magnificent Fern, whose appearance — that of a small forest of fan-like fronds 

 — is as handsome as it is singular. It is a vigorous grower, as is amply 

 testified by specimens which, at horticultural shows, are frequently seen 

 measuring 6ft. through, by quite as much in height. G. Cunninghami (the 

 Umbrella Fern), of New Zealand, a plant now seldom seen, but always 

 much admired, also belongs to this group. It is of erect habit, and possesses 

 a peculiar appearance, owing to its segments, about 6in. long, being strongly 

 incurved and very glaucous underneath. Then there are G. dichotoma, 

 particularly distinguishable by its beautifully glaucous colour ; and 

 G. pubescens, one of the most striking species, with stout rhizomes, and 

 fronds several times dichotomously divided, their under surface being covered 

 with a peculiar light brown pubescence. 



The most striking species of Gleichenia, however, is perhaps G. longissirna 

 (known also as G. glauca and G. gigantea), a Japanese plant very seldom 

 met with in collections, where it deserves to hold a prominent position. 

 After having been several times imported, and as many times lost, it has 

 at last been established in this country. The great interest attached to 

 this plant lies in its being, apparently, an intermediate form, a sort of link, 

 between the beaded kinds and those belonging to the Mertensia group, but 

 more vigorous, or, at any rate, of larger dimensions, than any of the other 

 species contained in either group. The fronds, which are very robust, of 

 rather short stature, and borne on stout stalks of a particularly shining 

 brown colour, are produced from very thick underground rhizomes, and 

 are bifurcate. Instead of having the beaded appearance of the fronds of 

 G. circinata, G. dicarpa, &c, or of being furnished with linear segments 

 like those of G. Cunninghami and G. flabellata, they are deeply pinnatifid, 

 with pinnae alternate, and pinnules dentate and closely set. It is difficult to 

 say what size, under cultivation, these fronds will attain, but compared 

 with other G-leichenias they are very large; for in specimens of comparatively 

 recent importation, the bifurcations already measure 26in. in length by 14in. 

 in breadth, the pinnge being about 6in. long, gracefully drooping, and the 

 pinnules perfectly flat and beautifully glaucous underneath. The young 



