372 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



sides. The sori (spore masses) are set so closely together in two rows as to be 

 almost contiguous on the fertile pinnules,— Hooh&r, Specks Filicum, L, p. 46. 



A. radens— ra'-dens (rasping), Kaulfuss. 



This stove species, native of Brazil, is of comparatively short stature : 

 its stem or trunk seldom exceeds 3ft. in height and is only about 3in. in 

 diameter. Its ample fronds, 4ft. to 6ft. long, brilliant green, and of a thin, 

 papery texture, are borne on stipes (stalks) 2ft. to 3ft. long, clothed with 

 egg-shaped scales of a pale brown colour and strongly aculeate (prickly). 

 The primary pinnse (principal leaflets) are lift, long, acuminate (terminating 

 in a tapering point), divided into narrow-spear-shaped pinnules (leafits) 2in. 

 to Sin. long, which, in their turn, are subdivided into oblong, copiously- 

 toothed segments. The sori (spore masses) are disposed between the midrib 

 and the margin, from four to six on each side of the midrib of the fertile 

 segments. — Hooker, Species Filicum, i., p. 46. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, i., p. 56. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, viii., t. 64. 



A. Rebeccee— Reb-ec'-cas (Rebecca's), F. Mueller. 



This greenhouse species, native of Queensland, is, through its habit, 

 totally distinct from all other known species. Its stem or trunk, which 

 reaches about 8ft. in height, is of a peculiar smooth nature and comparatively 

 slender, yet it is well furnished with broad fronds 2ft. to 3ft. in length and 

 of a particularly elegant, arching habit. These fronds are of an almost 

 leathery texture, bipinnate (twice divided to the midrib), and their stipes 

 (stalks) being nearly black, form a striking contrast to the glossy, deep 

 green colour of their upper surface. The lower pinna; (leaflets) are 1ft. to 

 IJft. long and 4in. to 5in. broad : they are furnished on each side with 

 from twenty to thirty pinnules (leafits), the lower ones of which are 

 distinctly stalked, Sin. to 3in. long and about ^in. broad, terminating 

 in a tapering point, while their base, rounded on both sides, is slightly 

 auricled (eared) above. The small and numerous sori (spore masses) are 

 disposed in two rows situated half-way between the midrib and the edge 

 of the fertile pinnules. For the accompanying Plate we are indebted to 

 Mr. William Bull. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 40. Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, i., p. 56. 



