CHAPTER XIX. 



ACTINIOPTERIS, Link. 

 ( Ac-ti'-m-op'-ter-is.) 

 Fan- Palm Fern. 



HIS name is derived from aktin, a ray, and Pteris, a Fern, in 

 allusion to the peculiar formation of the fronds, which radiate 

 into numerous narrow segments or subdivisions, all of which 

 start from a common central point. In Hooker and Baker's 

 " Synopsis Filicum," Actiniopteris is given as Genus 40. 

 It is composed of one solitary, but beautiful and distinct, species of 

 Indian origin, and of one Australian variety of it only. Both plants are 

 at once recognisable by their flabellate (fan-like) habit, resembling a 

 perfect miniature Fan Palm, with fruit in character intermediate between 

 Aspleniece (As-ple'-m-e-se) and Pteridece (Pter-id'-e-ae). The distinguishing 

 character of Actiniopteris resides in the disposition of its sori (groups of spores), 

 which are linear-elongated (very narrow and very long) and sub-marginal 

 (disposed close to the margin of the fronds). The involucres or indusia, 

 which are the cuticular or outside coverings of the sori, are of the same shape 

 as the sori, folded over them, placed one on each side of the narrow sub- 

 divisions of which the frond is formed, opening towards the midrib. 



Culture. 



An idea of the tenacity of life with which these exceedingly pretty Ferns 

 are endowed, may be gathered from the fact that we have repeatedly had 



