AD1ANTUM. 



249 



times divided to the midrib), and furnished with roundish pinnules (leafits) 

 of a glaucous or bluish-green, and of a very coriaceous (quite leathery) texture, 

 in which respect they differ essentially from those of the species to which 

 they are said to be related. These fronds are produced from a very short, 

 running rhizome (underground stem), of a woody nature, also quite different 

 from the same organ in A. wthiopicum. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 123. 



A. se. scab rum — scab'-rum (rough), Kunze. 



This lovely little greenhouse Fern, popularly known as the Silver Maiden- 

 hair, native of Chili, is of very compact habit. Its very interesting fronds, 

 which are produced in great quantities from a tufted crown, seldom attain 

 more than 9in. in length, including the slender stalks on which they are 

 borne. They are tripinnate (three times divided to the rachis or midrib), 

 triangular in outline, and furnished with pinnules (leafits) of a peculiar 

 semi- orbicular or kidney shape, dusted on both sides with a white- farinose 

 powder. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 123. 



This little gem, which is now seldom met with in cultivation, is generally 

 considered to be a difficult plant to grow, but it is only on account of its 

 being kept in too great heat and with too much moisture around it. I have 

 grown it, and seen it grown best — indeed to perfection — on a dry shelf with 

 Cacti, and with a very little allowance of water during the winter, in the 

 cold house. 



A. ae. SUlphureum — sul-phur'-e-uin (sulphur-yellow), Kaulfuss. 



This beautiful dwarf, evergreen kind, native of Chili, Conception, and 

 Peru, which is popularly known as the Grolden Maidenhair, is a fit companion 

 to the one just described. As is the case with the Silver Maidenhair, the 

 fronds of this Golden one are produced in great abundance from a tufted 

 crown, and neither of the plants shows , any signs of the running rhizomes 

 (underground stems) characteristic of A. cethiopicum, to which they are said 

 to be related. The fronds seldom attain more than 8in. in length, including 

 their stipes (stalks), and are tripinnate (three times divided to the rachis or 

 midrib) ; they are furnished with pinnules (leafits), roundish when barren, 

 but slightly incised (notched) on their edges when fertile, of a deep green 

 colour on their upper surface, and thickly covered on their under-surface with 



