CURIOUS FERNS. 



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and decorative ; and the other, only species of which, if only on account of 

 the peculiarities which characterise them, every well-ordered collection should 

 possess at least one specimen. 



Amongst the former section, the entire genus Lygodium may be said to 

 occupy the most prominent place, as all its members are, without exception, 

 quite as graceful and decorative as what is frequently, though erroneously, 

 called the Asparagus Fern (Asparagus plumosus nanus), which, of course, is 

 no Fern at all. As far as outward or general appearances only are concerned, 

 the Lygodiums do not appear to belong to the Fern family any more than the 

 climbing asparagus ; they are climbers, adapted for growing either in the cool- 

 or in the warm-house, and their Fern characters reside, not in their habit, but 

 only in their mode of fructification, and this is only noticeable when the plants 

 have attained a certain degree of development. Indeed, we are frequently 

 asked by the uninitiated if these are really Ferns — a question which, even by 

 the most superficial observation, is readily answered. Gymnogramme trifoliata 

 and G. javanica are also climbing species, which, in general appearance, 

 have but very little in common with ordinary Ferns. All the above- 

 named Ferns are like so many foliage or flowering plants of climbing habit. 



Very different, though quite as great a curiosity as the above-named 

 plants, is the lovely little Actiniopteris radiata, found in various parts of 

 India, and which has been described as a miniature Palm-tree. Although 

 much smaller in all their parts — seldom exceeding a few inches in height — 

 its flabellate fronds are the exact representation of those of a Chamaerops on a 

 very small scale. Unfortunately, this plant is a somewhat capricious grower ; 

 but the variety called australis, the fronds of which attain about 6in. in height, 

 and are formed of fewer but longer segments, possesses the same peculiar 

 habit, and is of much easier culture. 



Though Platyceriums may, in all fairness, be described as belonging to 

 the section of Curious Ferns, it is evident that in their case they may also 

 claim admission to the list of ornamental plants ; for, however peculiar in 

 habit, and however singular their mode of growth, it must be admitted that 

 they all are very decorative in their way. Through their introduction into 

 our Ferneries, many of these structures are rendered particularly attractive, 

 species of what are popularly known as the Stag's-horn Ferns being established 

 either on partly -decayed branches of trees, which may be suspended from the 



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