310 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



the central pinnas (leaflets) are from 6in. to 9m. long and about l^in. 

 broad; the pinnules (leafits) are Jin. to fin. long by Jin. deep, dimidiate 

 (fully developed on one side and scarcely at all on the other), with the two 

 sides nearly parallel, the upper and outer ones broadly and bluntly lobed. 

 The roundish or kidney-shaped sori (spore masses) are disposed round the 

 upper and outer edges of the pinnules.— Hooker, Species Filicum, ii., p. 29, 

 t. 87a. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 27. 



A. pectinatum— pec-tin-a'-tum (comb-like), Kunze. 



This very fine, robust, stove species, native of Brazil and Eastern Peru, 

 is distinctly characterised by its habit, as also by the large size of its fronds', 

 which are borne on strong, upright, scabrous (rough), and nearly black 

 stalks. These fronds, from 3ft. to 6ft. long and from 2ft. to 3ft. broad, are 

 tri- or quadripinnate (three or four times divided to the midrib) ; the lower 

 pinna) (leaflets), 1ft. to lift, long and Gin. to 9in. broad, have their lower 

 branches formed of a long terminal pinnule (leant) and several erecto-patent 

 (upright and spreading) lateral ones, the lowest of which are sometimes also 

 branched again. The pinnules, Jin. broad and less than Jin. deep, are 

 dimidiate (one side being fully developed and the other scarcely at all) ; 

 their lower line is straight, their upper one slightly rounded, and their 

 point not very blunt. The numerous spore masses are sub-orbicular (nearly 

 round) and disposed round the upper and outer edge.—Mooher, Synopsis 

 Filicum, p. 120. 



A. pedatum— ped-a'-tum (bird's-foot-shaped), Linnceus. 



This thoroughly distinct and magnificent species, although given as 

 a native of British India by Becldome — who figures it from a specimen gathered 

 at Dalhousie, adding that, in the Himalayas, it grows at 2500ft. to 3000ft. 

 elevation— of North Hindostan, where it is said to grow at an elevation 

 varying between 7ft. and 9000ft. ; of Japan, &c, is essentially a Fern from 

 North • America, where it is extensively distributed, being met with in 

 abundance from New Brunswick and Canada to Alabama : it is also found 

 plentifully in Utah, Oregon, California, British Columbia, Wisconsin, Arkansas, 

 &c. North American Ferns are mostly valued for their hardiness and use- 

 fulness, producing as they do in the outdoor Fernery a contrast which could 



