ALSOPHILA. 



373 



A. Robertsiana — Rob-erts-i-a'-na (Roberts'), F. Mueller. 



A very distinct, greenhouse species, native of Queensland. Its ample 

 fronds are quadripinnatifid (four times divided half-way to the midrib) ; their 

 pinnae (leaflets) are oblong-spear-shaped, 1ft. to ljft. long, 4in. to 6in. broad, 

 and of a particularly light and feathery nature. The pinnules (leafits) are 

 Sin. to 3in. long, Jin. to fin. broad, spear-shaped, closely set, sessile (stalkless) 

 and show a very narrow yet distinct wing all clown the rachis (stalk of their 

 leafy portion) : their segments are of a soft texture, strap-shaped, close, and 

 deeply cut. The small sori (spore masses) fill up nearly the whole of the 

 fertile divisions. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 459. 



A. sagittifolia — sag-it-tif-ol'-i-a (having arrow-shaped leaves), Hooker. 



This very handsome and distinct, stove species, native of Trinidad, has 

 fronds of very leathery texture, 4ft. to 6ft. long, and bipinnate (twice divided 

 to the midrib). The pinnae (leaflets) are 9in. to 12in. long, spear-shaped, 

 the lower ones being shorter and deflexed (bent downwards). The stalkless 

 pinnules (leafits) are about l|in. long, strap -shaped, dented, rounded on both 

 sides at the base, green and smooth on both surfaces, though a few broad, 

 white scales may be noticed on the ribs of the lower ones. The sori (spore 

 masses) are large, and arranged in one irregular row, disposed half-way 

 between the edge and the midrib of the fertile pinnules. — Hooker, Synopsis 

 Filicum, p. 456. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 56. 



A. SalYinii — Sal-vi'-ni-i (Salvin's), Hooker. 



A very distinct and peculiar, stove species, native of Chilasco, Guatemala. 

 Its fronds are 3ft. long, of a firm — almost leathery — texture, dark green above 

 and pale beneath ; their rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) is fin. thick, 

 glossy ebeneous -black, and nearly smooth. These fronds are almost spear- 

 shaped, but terminate in a tapering point, and are tripinnate (three times 

 divided to the midrib). The pinnae (leaflets), oblong in form but termi- 

 nating in a point, are furnished with closely-set pinnules (leafits) fin. 

 long, borne on short footstalks, cut down half-way to their midrib, and 

 toothed at the summit. The sori (spore masses) are disposed in a series 

 nearer the midrib than the margin of the fertile pinnules. — Hooker, Synopsis 

 Filicum, p. 36. 



