268 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



with several large pinnfe (leaflets) on each side, the lowest of which are 

 branched again, and with a terminal central pinna Bin. to 9in. long. These 

 leaflets are again divided into numerous segments Jin. long by Jin. broad, 

 slightly crenate (indented) on their upper margin, and of a dark green colour. 

 The fronds are borne on upright stipes (stalks) of a dark brown colour, 

 shining and smooth, produced from an underground creeping stem ; whereas 

 the rachises (stalks of the leaflets) are slightly hairy. The sori (spore masses) 

 in this species — about five, sometimes six, on each leant — are roundish and 

 situated in the sinus (depression) of the lobes, on the upper and sometimes 

 the outer edge. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 120. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, L, p. 25. Lowe, New and Rare Ferns, t. 29. 



A. crispulum — cris'-pul-um (slightly crisped). A form of A. Capillus- 

 Veneris. 



A. cristatum — cris-ta'-tum (crested), Linnaeus. 



A stove species, native of the West Indies, Venezuela, Cuba, Caracas, and 

 most abundant in Jamaica. It is difficult to say how this plant came to receive 

 such a specific name, as it has never been seen crested in cultivation : it is 

 also known as A. Kunzeanum. The fronds are borne on strong, upright, 

 somewhat woolly stipes (stalks) 6in. to 12in. long, are from 2ft. to 3ft. long, 

 9in. to 12in. broad, and furnished with a terminal central pinna (leaflet) fully 

 9in. long and ljin. broad. Besides this there are numerous rather distant 

 lateral ones on each side : these are lanceolate (spear-shaped), the lowest pair 

 mostly bipartite (deeply divided or branched again). The pinnules (leafits) 

 are Jin. to fin. long and Jin. broad, horizontal and approximate (close together), 

 somewhat falcate (sickle-shaped), and blunt at the point ; they are of a very 

 leathery texture, dark green, smooth, very shiny, and gradually become 

 smaller as they approach the summit of the pinnaa. The semi-oval sori 

 (spore masses) are generally confined to the superior margin, where they 

 are disposed in several oblong patches. — Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 46. 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 25. Lowe, Ferns British and 

 Exotic, iii„ t. 22. 



This species, which is seldom seen in perfection, requires less water at 

 the roots than the majority of Adiantums. It is very partial to lime rubbish 

 and should be grown' in a somewhat dry part of the house. 



