ADIANTUM. 



269 



A. CUbense — cub-en'-se (Cuban), Hooker. 



This very distinct, stove species, native of Jamaica and Cuba, though not 

 of much decorative value, is interesting on account of its fronds, about lOin. 

 long, being simply pinnate (only once divided to the midrib) or with a single 

 pair of short branches, and furnished with pinnae (leaflets) of a deep green 

 colour. The disposition of the sori (spore masses) is also peculiar, as these, 

 not more than five or six in number, are placed in the centre of distinct 

 hollows along the upper and outer edge.— Hooker, Species Fil/cum, ii., p. 8, 

 t. 73a. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 25. 



A. CUltratum — cul-tra'-tum (knife-like). A variety of A. trapeziforme. 



A. cuneatum — eun-e-a'-tum (wedge-shaped), Langsdorf and Fischer. 



This very old favourite, native of Brazil, is perhaps better known and 

 more generally cultivated than any other Maidenhair Fern, probably because 

 it is one of the most graceful and the most useful of all known species. 

 Indeed, nothing can surpass the elegance of its foliage for bouquets ; and 

 this excellent quality is so fully appreciated by growers in general that 

 hundreds of thousands of it pass through our flower markets every year, 

 besides the enormous quantities grown in private places, where it is always 

 in demand for the same purpose. The fact of its being evergreen, and con- 

 sequently very useful in winter, greatly adds to its value. The fronds are 

 from 1ft. to l^ft. long, 6in. to 9m. broad, of a more or less upright habit, 

 and borne on erect, slender stalks 6in. to 9in. long : they are triangular in 

 shape, three or four times divided to the midrib, and furnished with numerous 

 pinnules (leafits) Jin. or a little more broad, cuneate (wedge-shaped) at the 

 base, with their upper edge deeply lobed. The sori (spore masses), which are 

 of moderate size and from four to six to each pinnule, are disposed all round 

 the upper edge. — Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 39. Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, i., p. 25. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, hi., t. 5. 



A. cuneatum is of easy culture, requiring less attention than almost any 

 other Fern, and thrives in almost any soil, although it prefers a compost of 

 a rich, light nature. It is not very particular as to temperature, and, pro- 

 vided regular moisture at the roots be kept up, it will produce all through 

 the year an immense quantity of its useful fronds from a tufted crown. It 

 is so readily propagated from spores that wherever it is grown a stock of 



