262 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



their margin divided into two lobes, the fertile ones cut into oblong, concave 

 sinuses (depressions), a disposition which gives a bluntly cornute (horned) 

 aspect to the principal pinnule. This singular variety, of particularly robust 

 constitution and somewhat erect habit, possesses the property of reproducing 

 itself true from spores.— Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iv., p. 484. 



A. C.-Y. Moritzianum — Mor-itz-i-a'-nuin (Moritz's), Moore and 

 Houlston. 



This exceedingly handsome variety, given by some authors as native of 

 South America, and by others as coming from Madeira, appears to be the 

 most gigantic form known of A. Capillus- Veneris. Whatever dimensions 

 the fronds of that popular species may attain when grown under the influence 

 of heat and moisture, they never bear comparison with those of this pendulous 

 variety, which are perhaps not produced so abundantly as in the typical 

 species or in some of the varieties above described, but which attain a length 

 of 2ft. or even more, and are bi- or tri-pinnate (twice or three times divided 

 to the midrib). They are furnished with large pinnules (leafits), rather 

 distant, of a bright green colour, fan- shaped at their summit, and cuneate 

 (wedge-shaped) at the base, and they are of an elegant and pendulous habit. 

 — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 27. 



A. C.-Y. ramulosum— ra-mul-o'-sum (full of small branches), Moore. 



In this extraordinary variety, native of Ireland, the main stem is twice 

 or three times divided towards the summit of the frond, thus forming a 

 spreading tuft of short, pinnate (once divided) branches. The pinnules 

 (leafits) in the lower portion of the frond are narrow and depauperated (only 

 partially developed).— Lowe, Native Ferns, ii., p. 419. 



A. C.-Y. rotundatum— -rot-un-da'-tum (rounded), Moore. 



A variety, native of the Isle of Man, differing essentially from the typical 

 species in the shape of its pinnules (leafits), which are usually round at their 

 summit and not wedge-shaped at their base like those of the normal form. 

 The fronds themselves are narrow, although the pinnae (leaflets) are more 

 spreading. The upper portion of the fronds is nearly normal.— Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 25. Lowe, Native Ferns, ii., p. 421. 



