290 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



A. Galeottianum— Gal-e-ot-ti-a'-num (Galeotti's), Hooker. 



This very distinct, Mexican, stove species, of medium dimensions native 

 of the province of Oaxcaca, where it is found at an elevation of 3000ft., is 

 easily recognised by its large, sub-orbicular (nearly round), equal-sided pinna? 

 (leaflets). These organs, of a coriaceous (leathery) texture, nearly entire, 

 and borne on short footstalks, are disposed in opposite pairs along the fronds, 

 which are simply pinnate (only once divided to the midrib), but occasionally 

 branched at the base. The stipes (stalks) on which these fronds are borne 

 are erect, of a wiry nature, dark chestnut-brown in colour, and polished, 

 measuring from 3in. to 4in. in length. The venation in this species is very 

 clearly marked on the under-side of the frond, but it is quite flabellate 

 (fan-shaped), every vein being forked and forked again, and there is no 

 central rib stronger than the others. The reniform (kidney-shaped) sori 

 (spore masses), about one line across, are disposed in shallow sinuses 

 (depressions) all round the edge of the fertile pinna?. — Hooker, Species 

 Filicum, ii., p. 10, t. 80b. 



A. Ghiesbreghtii— G-hies-breght'-i-i (Ghiesbreght's), Moore. 



This very handsome, stove plant, which is much more extensively known 

 under the name of A. scutum, originated in Mr. B. S. Williams's nursery, 

 where it sprang up without anyone being able to say whence it came, 

 or if it were merely an altered and improved form — a sport — of some 

 species already in cultivation. Anyhow, it possesses the power of repro- 

 ducing itself true from spores, as may be seen by the immense quantities 

 of it which yearly find their way into our flower markets. It is a very 

 fine Fern, of remarkably good constitution, with the habit of A. Farley ense, 

 but less dense, and undoubtedly a variety of A. tenerum : it also makes one 

 of the finest known Maidenhairs for decoration or for exhibition purposes. 

 Its beautiful fronds, which are produced from a short- creeping, underground 

 rhizome (prostrate stem), are from IJft. to 2jft. long and fully ljft. broad 

 at the base : they are tripinnate (three times divided to the midrib), 

 furnished with numerous pinnules (leafits) that are large, slightly crenate 

 (dented) on the margins, and of a bright green colour. The sori (spore 

 masses), of oblong shape, are interrupted or disposed singly six or eight 

 round each fertile pinnule. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 26. 



