446 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



rows. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 11. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, i., p. 126. Beddome, Ferns of Southern India, t. 120. 



This species is very variable : according to Beddome, the normal form, 

 which has fronds simply pinnate (once divided to the midrib), is the only 

 one found in Southern India, while in some of the forms found in Northern 

 India the fronds are frequently twice pinnate. The following are the most 

 distinct varieties of A. auriculatum: 



A. a. lentum — lent'-um (pliant), Don. 



This variety- differs from the species through its pinnae (leaflets) being 

 cut into oblong, mucronate (pointed) lobes about half-way down to the rachis 

 (stalk of the leafy portion), the auricle (ear) being sometimes quite free. — 

 Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 251. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, 

 i., p. 126. 



A. a. marginatum — mar-gin-a'-tum (margined), Wallich. 



A variety with fronds of a more leathery texture than those of the type, 

 the upper edge of the pinnas (leaflets) being also slightly lobed. — Hooker, 

 Synopsis Filicum, p. 251. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, L, p. 126. 



A. a. obliquum — ob-li'-qu-um (oblique), Don. 



This variety, native of the Himalayas, is of smaller habit than the type, 

 being seldom more than 6in. in height. It is also simply pinnate (once 

 divided to the midrib), and its leaflets, shorter and broader than those 

 of A. auriculatum, are narrowed more suddenly to an often bluntish point, 

 and are more bluntly toothed. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 493. 



A. biaristatum — bi-ar-is-ta'-tum (twice awned), Blume. 



This is a mere form of A. aculeatum, with large pinnules (leafits) 

 aristate (awn-like) at their point and at their auricle or base. 



A. brachiatum — brach-i-a'-tuin (brachiate). A variety of A. angulare. 



A. (Cyrtomium) caducum — Cyr-tom'-i-um ; cad-u'-cum (deciduous, or 

 ready to fall), Wallich. 

 A very handsome species, native of the Himalayas, where it is found at 

 7000ft. elevation, also, according to Beddome, of the Khasya Hills, where the 



