282 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



sub-divisions give the plant a very graceful appearance : these fronds grow 

 from 1ft. to ljft. in length, and are usually divided at their summit into 

 several branches, which very often are again divided, forming a beautiful tassel 

 2in. to 3in. long. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 26. 



A. e. nanum — na'-num (dwarf), Moore. 



This variety, also of garden origin, is very useful where dwarf Ferns 

 are required for edging or for pot culture, or 'where small fronds for mixing 

 with flowers are- in demand. Its rigid fronds, which are produced in great 

 abundance from a densely -tufted crown, are tripinnate (three times divided 

 to the midrib), and furnished with wedge-shaped and closely-set pinnules 

 (leafits) : they seldom attain more than 8in. in height. 



A. falcatum — fal-ca'-tum (sickle-shaped). A synonym of A. villosum. 



A. Farleyense — Far-ley-en'-se (from Farley), Moore. 



This truly magnificent Adiantum, native of Farley Hill, Barbados, by 

 far the most beautiful of the whole genus, and not inappropriately called the 

 " Queen of Maidenhair Ferns," has attained such a degree of popularity and 

 is so extensively known under the above name that, although classed in the 

 " Synopsis Filicum" and other botanical works as simply a form of A. tenerum, 

 it has been thought advisable to retain here the popular appellation. It is 

 too well known to require an elaborate description, which, however good 

 and complete, would most likely fail to do it full justice. It has been 

 given at different times as a natural sport or accidental seedling of 

 -A. Ghiesbreghtii (A. scutum of commerce), or as a plumose (feathery) form 

 of A. tenerum. Be it what it may, this evergreen Fern is nevertheless 

 unrivalled for exhibition purposes : it always attracts a deal of attention and 

 shows the gardener's skill to great advantage, with its broad, massive, yet 

 gracefully-drooping fronds, quadripinnate (four times divided to the midrib), 

 from 2§ft. to oft. in length and frequently 2ft. broad. When grown 

 near the glass and under the influence of abundant light, the pinnules (leafits), 

 often ljin. broad, deeply fringed, and with almost crispy lobes (Fig. 39), 

 are very prettily edged with a delicate pale crimson tint, which turns to 

 a pleasing rich light green colour when quite mature. — Hooker, Synopsis 

 Filicum, p. 124. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p.. 26. 



