ADIANTUM. 



301 



A. Mairisii — Mair-is'-i-i (Mains'). A variety of A. Capillus- Veneris* 



A. mexicanum — mex-ie-a'-num (Mexican). Synonymous with A. glauco- 

 phyllum. 



A. microphyllum — nii-croph-yF-luni (short -leaved), Kaulfuss. 



This stove species, native of the West Indies, is very closely related to 

 the better-known A. piilverulentum, which it resembles in general appearance. 

 Its fronds, borne on strong, upright, tomentose (downy) stalks Gin. to 9in. 

 long, consist of a terminal pinna 6in. to 9in. long and several erecto- 

 patent (upright-spreading) ones on each side, the lowest of which are branched 

 again. Their pinnules (leaiits), Jin. to fin. long and about Jin. broad, of 

 a coriaceous (leathery) texture, are unequal-sided, falcate (sickle-shaped), and 

 narrowed to a sharp point. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in a few 

 elongated patches along the upper edge, where they form a slightly-interrupted 

 line of fructification. — Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 47. 



A. monochlamys — mon-och'-lani-ys (once covered), Eaton. 



This exceedingly pretty and entirely distinct, dwarf, greenhouse species, 

 native of Japan, though closely related to the Himalayan A. venustum, is 

 clearly distinct through its compact habit and glaucous (bluish-green) 

 foliage. Its fronds, 6in. to 12in. long and 4in. to 6in. broad, are borne on 

 wiry, upright, dark chestnut-brown stipes (stalks) Gin. to 9in. long and 

 are tripinnate (three times divided to the midrib). The pinnas (leaflets) are 

 rather distantly placed, while the pinnules (leaiits) are closely set, less than 

 Jin. broad, cuneate (wedge-shaped) at the base, the upper edge rounded and 

 slightly toothed ; the latter are of a firm texture, of a light pea-green colour 

 above and silvery beneath. In the fertile pinnules there is a decided 

 notch in the upper edge, in the hollow of which is placed a single sorus 

 (spore mass). The pleasing aspect of this plant renders it a most valuable 

 Adiantum, the more so that it requires but little or no artificial heat for 

 its cultivation. On that account it ranks as one of the best dwarf Ferns 

 for the cool conservatory and the greenhouse. It has proved perfectly hardy 

 in Cornwall and Devonshire, where it has withstood two consecutive winters 

 without artificial shelter. See Fig. 43. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 125. 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening,!., p. 27. 



