ADIANTUM. 



251 



times pinnate, are deltoid in shape (their outline having a resemblance to the 

 Greek delta, A), and are furnished with numerous pinnules (leafits), about Jin. 

 long, rhomboidal (representing a quadrangular figure whose sides are equal), 

 nearly sessile (stalkless), and whose inner side is close to the rachis (midrib) ; 

 the lower ones are shallowly lobed. The fronds are borne on stipes (stalks) 

 of a particularly rigid nature, and proceeding from a short- creeping rhizome 

 (prostrate stem) of a very scaly texture. The sori (patches of spores), from 

 four to six to a pinnule, are roundish or reniform (kidney-shaped), and 

 disposed in the centre of the lobes. See Plate (for which we are indebted to 

 Messrs. W. and J. Birkenhead). — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 472. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 24. 



A. asarifolium — as-ar-if-ol'-i-uni (Asarum-leaved). Given in the " Synopsis 

 Filicum" as simply a form of A. reniforme. 



A. assimile — as-sim'-il-e (assimilated). A form of A, wthiopicum. 



A. Bausei — Baus'-e-i (Bause's), Moore. 



This beautiful Fern, of garden origin, given by Moore as a possible 

 hybrid between A. trapeziforme and A. Wagneri (A. decorum), thrives equally 

 well in either the intermediate or the warm house. Although partaking of 

 some of the characters of both species above named, it is quite distinct from 

 either of them, as indeed from any other Adiantum, through the contracted and 

 deflexed character of its foliage. Its peculiar fronds, which are produced from a 

 central, tufted crown, reach quite 2£ffc. in length, including the robust, ebony, 

 upright, black stipes (stalks) on which they are borne. They are spreading, tri- 

 angular in shape, and tri-quadripinnate (three or four times divided to the 

 midrib), and are furnished with numerous broad pinnules (leafits) peculiarly 

 deflexed, of various shapes, according to the place they occupy on the leaflets : 

 the basal ones being ovate (egg-shaped) with a truncate (abruptly terminating) 

 base, the intermediate ones somewhat trapeziform (having the four sides unequal), 

 the terminal ones cuneate (wedge-shaped), all slightly lobed and pedicellate 

 (borne on short stalks). The whole of the foliage is of a beautiful light green 

 colour, and the general appearance of the plant is that of a weeping A, tenerum 

 of strong growth and of upright habit. The sori (spore masses) are of 

 oblong, kidney shape, and set across the extremity of the lobes. See Plate 



