276 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



to suggest its being an offspring produced by the fertilisation of these two 

 varieties, is undoubtedly one of the most interesting of all known garden 

 hybrids. The cristation of its fronds, which seldom exceed lOin. in height, 

 somewhat resembles that of the first-named of these varieties, although it is 

 more uniform and much denser, but it is composed of pinnules (leafits) of 

 the same shape and pleasing light green colour. The erect habit, however, 

 the branching of the stipes (stalks) for about two-thirds of their length, 

 and the circular disposition of the terminal crests, forcibly remind one 

 of the latter-named variety, which until now has never been recorded as 

 fertile even to the smallest degree. Its dense yet elegant habit renders 

 versaillense valuable as a pot-plant, while for cutting purposes and decoration 

 it may at once be classed among the most useful, its delicate yet substantial 

 fronds being particularly well adapted for mounting with flowers. The 

 propagation of this interesting variety is effected exclusively by the division 

 of the crown, as it has until now, although apparently fertile, proved 

 absolutely barren. — B. S. Williams' New Plant Catalogue, 1889. 



A. Cunninghamii — Cun-ning-ham'-i-i (Cunningham's). Synonymous with 

 A. ajfine. 



A. CUrYatum— cur-va'-tum (curved), Kaulfuss. 



A beautiful and entirely distinct, stove species, native of Brazil, where it 

 is principally found in the dry woods of Sierra de Santa Brida. Its handsome 

 fronds, which rise from a short- creeping rhizome (prostrate stem), are borne 

 on stipes (stalks) of a black, shining nature, 8in. to 12m. long, and are 

 dichotomous (the main divisions being again once or twice forked). Their 

 pinnae (leaflets), 8in. to 12m. long and about 3 in. broad, are furnished with 

 pinnules (leafits) nearly ljin. long, curved, imbricated (overlapping), with 

 their superior margin and point finely toothed : these pinnules are of a light 

 green colour and are attached to the midrib by a very short footstalk. The 

 sori (spore masses) are oblong and disposed singly, about seven of them 

 on a pinnule. This is a Fern which specially requires shade and a very 

 moderate amount of moisture. — Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 29, t. 84c. 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 26. Lowe, Ferns British and 

 Exotic, hi., t. 6. 



