ADIANTUM. 



279 



A. depauperatum — de-pau-per-a'-tum (poor). This is a variety of our 

 native A. Capillus -Veneris. 



A. diaphanum — di-aph'-an-um (transparent), Blume. 



This lovely species, of dwarf dimensions, which thrives equally well under 

 either greenhouse or stove treatment, being a native of Java, Fiji, New 

 Caledonia, Norfolk Island, New South Wales, and New Zealand alike, is 

 much better known and extensively grown under the name of A. setulosum. 

 In general habit it shows a ten- 

 dency towards the pedate (foot- 

 shaped) group, for its fronds, 

 which seldom attain more than 

 10in. in height, are simply pinnate 

 (once divided to the midrib) or 

 provided with one to three branches 

 at the base. These leaflets or 

 branches are furnished with pin- 

 nules (leafits) of a thin texture, 

 Jin. long and Jin. broad, the 

 lower line rather decurved (bent 

 round), the upper line nearly 

 parallel with it, crenate (notched), 

 like the blunt outer edge. The 

 sori (spore masses) are numerous, 

 kidney -shaped, and disposed singly, 

 five to seven on each pinnule. 

 See Fig. 38. — Hooker, Species Fili- 

 cum, ii., p. 11, t. 80c. Mcholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 26. 



This pretty little species is of easy culture and very useful for cutting, 

 its bright green fronds lasting a long time when severed from the plant. It 

 is also of great value as an edging Fern for the conservatory, for not only are 

 the fronds produced in abundance, but the slender rhizomes (underground 

 stems) possess the peculiarity of forming young plants on all their parts, 

 thus making compact little specimens of great interest and utility. 



Fig. 38. Adiantum diaphanum 

 (J nat. size). 



