226 



THE BOOK ' OF CHOICE FERNS. 



broad, which are very gradually narrowed to both ends. Contrary to most 

 of the species with simple (undivided) fronds, those of this species are quite 

 naked on both sides, and their margin is distinctly cartilaginous (of a gristly 

 nature). These fronds, as well as the fertile ones, which, instead of being as 

 usual contracted, are larger, proceed from a short-creeping rhizome (prostrate 

 stem) of a woody nature, and covered with spear-shaped scales, somewhat 

 large, and of a dark brown colour. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 205. 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, L, p. 20. 



A. (Stenochlaena) sorbifolium— Sten-och-W-na ; sor-bif-ok-i-um (Ser- 

 vice-leaved), Linnaeus. 



Although its fronds are seldom more than lift, long, this species, which 

 requires stove treatment all the year round, may safely be considered as the 

 one of all known Acrostichums which attains the most gigantic .proportions 

 in a wild state. Its habitat extends over a vast area, for it is known to 

 be plentiful in the West Indian Islands, Mauritius, Bourbon, Singapore, in 

 Tropical America, in Peru and South Brazil, also in New Caledonia, in 

 the Philippines and Fiji Islands, in Cochin China, on the Guinea Coast, &c. 

 In all these localities its thick rhizome (prostrate stem), of a woody nature 

 and sometimes prickly, is frequently seen clasping trees, like a cable, to the 

 height of 35ft. or 40ft. The fronds of this remarkable Fern, although com- 

 paratively short, are from 6in. to 12in. broad and simply pinnate (divided 

 only once to the midrib). The barren pinna? (leaflets), which are disposed 

 from three to twenty on each side, are of a coriaceous (leathery) texture, 

 4in. to 6in. long, about ljin. broad, articulated (jointed) at their base, and 

 more or less serrated (dented) on the margins. The fertile pinnae, which 

 are set lin. to 2in. apart, are from 2in. to 4in. long and much contracted, 

 being barely Jin. broad.— Hooker, Species, Filicum, v., p. 241. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 20. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 192. 



Several kinds, previously considered as distinct species, are now admitted 

 to be but simple varieties of A. sorbifolium, differing mostly in the number of 

 pinnae or leaflets, and corresponding to the genus Lomariopsis of Fee, which 

 comprises, among the most interesting and best-known forms, such Ferns as 

 Lomariopsis cuspidata, Fee, a variety with long-stalked leaflets tapering into 

 a sharp, stiff point ; L. variabilis, Fee, with lower leaflets deeply pinnatifid 



