ACROSTICHUM. 



203 



vary from 6in. to 15in. in length, while the fertile ones, though smaller and 

 narrower, are borne on erect stalks 6in. or more long. — Hooker, Synopsis 

 Filicum, p. 416. 



A. gratum— gra'-tum (pleasing), Fee. 



This greenhouse, Mexican species is of botanical interest only. Its barren 

 fronds, about 8in. long, are borne on stalks of equal length ; whereas the 

 fertile fronds, while smaller, are borne on longer stalks. — Hooker, Synopsis 

 Filicum, p. 521. 



A. (Gymnopteris) Harlandii— Gyru-nop'-ter-is ; Har-lan'-di-i (Harland's), 

 Hooker. 



A stove species, native of Hong-Kong and Formosa, and one which, 

 when well grown, makes a very handsome specimen, although its barren fronds 

 are usually entire (uncut). These are borne on firm, glossy stipes (stalks) 

 lft. to ljft. long, of ehestnut-brown colour, and scaly at the base ; they fre- 

 quently show a spathulate (spoon-shaped), terminal pinna (leaflet) sometimes 

 lft. long by 3in. broad, besides one or two of similar shape, but of smaller 

 dimensions, on each side, usually connected at the base, all of a coriaceous 

 (leathery) texture. The fertile fronds are similar in shape to the barren 

 ones, but are provided with much smaller pinna?. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., 

 p. 274. 



A. Herminieri — Her-min-i-e'-ri (Herminier's), Bory. 



This stove species, whose habitat extends from Cuba to Brazil, is very 

 handsome, and easily distinguished from all others through the striking appear- 

 ance resulting from its two very dissimilar kinds of fronds. Its barren ones, 

 which are sword- shaped, and measure from 2ft. to 3ft. in length and about 

 ljin. in breadth, are of a coriaceous (leathery) texture, and they terminate 

 in a long, taper point, while their lower part is very gradually narrowed ; 

 both their surfaces are naked, but the upper one has quite a peculiar metallic 

 gloss. The fertile fronds are small, seldom measuring more than 4in. long, 

 and sub-sessile (short-stalked). The rhizome (prostrate stem) on which the 

 fronds are produced is stout, short-creeping, and of a woody nature, densely 

 covered with linear (much longer than wide) scales of a reddish-brown colour 



