ADIANTUM. 



277 



A. C. brasiliense — bras-il-I-en'-se (Brazilian), Eaddi. 



This is a very distinct variety ; it differs from the type principally 

 through its more gigantic dimensions and the pubescent (downy) character 

 of its fronds, which are produced from a stout and very slowly-creeping 

 rhizome (underground stem) and frequently attain 3ft. in height. Their stipes 

 (stalks) are hairy and brown, whereas their leaflets, of a dark green colour, 

 are smooth, shorter, broader, blunter, and not so closely set as those of the 

 species. The disposition of the sori (spore masses) in this variety is similar 

 to that observed in the type. 



A. cyclosorum— cy-clos-o'-rum (having circular spore masses), Moore. 



This grand, well-marked, evergreen, stove species, from New Guinea, is 

 very effective. Its fronds, which are borne on upright, stout, glossy-black 

 stipes (stalks), 8in. to 12in. long, are triangular in shape, tripinnate (three 

 times divided to the midrib), and furnished with spreading pinna? (leaflets). 

 They possess a very plumose (feathery) appearance through their pinnules 

 (leafits), rhomboid (of four unequal sides) and about Jin. long, being borne on 

 short stalks and set far apart. These pinnules are gracefully arched, and of a 

 beautiful bronzy pink when in a young state, whereas when matured their 

 colour is of a particularly pleasing light green. The sori (spore masses) in 

 this species are circular and disposed eight to ten round the margin of each 

 pinnule. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iv., p. 484. 



A. Daddsii — Dadd'-si-i (Dadds'), Moore. 



This supposed hybrid, of garden origin, which has all the appearance of 

 being the produce of a natural cross between ^4. cuneatum, and A. Moorei 

 (A. amabile of commerce), is of gigantic growth and highly decorative. Its 

 very elegant fronds, which by their pendulous habit resemble those of the 

 latter-named species, are, like those of A. cuneatum, produced from a densely- 

 tufted crown and borne on stipes (stalks) lOin. long, of a glossy and 

 slender nature. Their leafy portion, fully l£ft. long when fully developed, is 

 deltoid (in form of the Greek delta, A), many times divided, and smooth. The 

 pinna? (leaflets) themselves are as large as a fair-sized whole frond of the 

 common Maidenhair Fern, being fully 12in. long by 9in. across, and borne on 

 stalks 3in. to 3£in. long. These pinna? are furnished with pinnules (leafits) 



