414 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



better than any other Ferns with which we are acquainted. Their bold and 

 shining foliage forms a striking contrast to that of finer- cut species when 

 planted out in the cool Fernery, under which treatment they develop into 

 handsome specimens in an incredibly short time, and show themselves to 

 great advantage. For that special purpose Aspidiums of the Cyrtomium 

 group are of the greatest value, as by the use of them we are enabled to 

 give . additional charm to the rockery not heated artificially, but simply 

 protected by glass, where they, being of an evergreen nature, retain their 

 beauty during the whole of the winter months. Their culture is very simple, 

 and their requirements are particularly limited. The soil which suits them 

 best is a compost of about equal parts of fibrous loam, peat, and silver 

 sand ; but care must be taken that they are not potted hard, or, if planted 

 out in the Fernery, that the soil round them is kept moderately loose. They 

 require an abundant supply of water at the roots during the growing season, 

 and frequent syringings overhead are beneficial during that time, but they 

 should be watered sparingly during the winter months. The propagation 

 of plants of this section, like that of most other Aspidiums, is best effected 

 by means of spores, which are abundantly produced, and which germinate 

 very freely if sown as soon as gathered. 



Principal Species and Varieties. 



A. (Cyrtomium) abbreYiatum — Cyr-torn'-i-mn ; ab-brev-i-a'-tum 



(shortened), Schrader. 

 A stove species, native of the West Indies, with fronds simply pinnate 

 (once divided to the midrib), 1ft. to 2ft. long and 6in. to 9in. broad, borne 

 on stipes (stalks) 1ft. or more long, smooth and glossy. The pinnas (leaflets), 

 of a sub-coriaceous (nearly leathery) texture and slightly stalked, are 

 4in. to 6in. long, fin. broad, narrow-spear-shaped, tapering to a sharp 

 point, and with their edge bluntly lobed. The sori (spore masses) are 

 disposed in two irregular rows situated between the principal veins. — Hooker, 

 Sjjecies Filicum, iv., p. 38, t. 234. 



A. acrocladon — ac-roc'-lad-on (summit-branched). A name applied to 

 varieties of A. aculeatum and A. angulare. 



