f 



ACROSTICHUM 



others, thus producing an agglomeration of divisions linear in form, or of 

 about equal width throughout their length, and seldom more than half a 

 line broad. The fertile fronds, which are totally distinct, sub-orbicular 

 (nearly circular), generally entire (uncut), and barely lin. broad, though 

 occasionally two-lobed, are borne much more sparingly on the same 

 slender rhizome (prostrate stem) that produces the barren ones. See 

 Fig. 30. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 252. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gar- 

 dening, i., p. 19. 



Unless kept in a place naturally moist, this elegant little Fern, which 

 does not bear having its roots disturbed more than is necessary, and which, 

 furthermore, requires a liberal supply of water all the year round, is con- 

 sidered a somewhat shy grower. When, however, in a place in which a 

 permanently moist atmosphere may be depended upon, it grows freely in a 

 mixture, in about equal proportions, of partly -decayed leaf-mould, fibrous 

 peat, and silver sand. 



A. p. gracillimum — grac-il'-lini-um (most graceful), Moore. 



A Brazilian variety, partaking of the same habit as the species, and with 

 fronds of the same peculiar shape and conformation, but of larger dimensions 

 and much more finely divided. It is also of easier cultivation, and thrives 

 under the treatment recommended for A. peltatum. 



A. perelegans — per-e'-leg-ans (very elegant), Fee. 



A small-growing, stove, evergreen species, of botanical interest, native of 

 Brazil and Peru. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 411. 



A. petiolosum — pet-i-ol-o'-sum (stalked), Hooker. 



This very handsome and strong-growing, stove species, native of Mexico, 

 the West Indies, Brazil, &c, is better known under the name of Polybotrya 

 caudata (Pol-yb-ot'-ry-a cau-da'-ta), and is totally distinct from the diminutive 

 and uninteresting A. petiolosum of Desvaux, which is a native of Ecuador 

 and Peru, and which seldom reaches above Gin. in height. The barren fronds 

 of the species to which we refer, instead of being entire (undivided), are 

 bipinnate (twice divided to the midrib), and sometimes tripinnatifid (three 

 times nearly divided to the midrib), and, instead of being only a few inches 



2 p 



217 



