228 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



not possessed of much decorative value. It is a native of Mount Chimbo- 

 razo. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 411. 



A. squamipes — squa'-mip-es (scaly-footed), Hooker. 



A stove species, of small dimensions and of purely botanical interest. Its 

 small fronds are of a very leathery texture, and are densely covered with spear- 

 shaped scales of a peculiarly bright reddish-brown colour. A native of New 

 Granada and Peru. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 404. 



A. Squamosum— squa-mo'-sum (scaly), Swartz. 



Although not attaining very large dimensions, this singular species, which 

 thrives equally well under either stove or greenhouse treatment, and which is 

 also known under the name of A. paleaceum (pal-e-a'-ce-um), deserves a special 

 notice. It is a native of Sumatra, Ceylon, and the Sandwich Islands, also of 

 Madeira and the Azores ; while, according to Beddome, it is abundant on 

 trees on the Neilgherries, about Nediwattan, and on the Sisparah Ghat. The 

 barren fronds, of a thick but not leathery texture, are from 8in. to 12in. long 

 and about lin. broad, simple (undivided), attenuated (gradually narrowed) 

 at the base, and densely covered on both sides with reddish scales of a velvety 

 nature, extending to the edge, which appears ciliated all round. These curious 

 fronds are borne on dark, scaly stipes (stalks), which proceed from a prostrate 

 stem of a woody nature and equally scaly. — Hooker, Species Filicum, v., p. 240. 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 20. Beddome, Ferns of Southern 

 India, t. 197. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, vii., t. 48. 



A. squarrosum — squar-ro'-sum (scurfy), Klotzsch. 



A stove species, of dwarf habit and of purely botanical interest ; native 

 of Columbia. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 405. 



A. stelligerum — stel-lig'-er-um (star-bearing), Wallich. 



This stove species, native of the ISTeilgherries, is found, according to 

 Beddome, in the Anamallay forests, growing on rocks in the bed of the 

 Trocadero Eiver at an elevation of 4000ft. Its barren fronds, which are 

 borne on stipes (stalks) 3in. to 5in. long, are narrow, spear-shaped, pointed 

 at their summit, but gradually attenuated (narrowed) at their base ; they are 



