ASPIDI-UM. 



451 



are produced from a thick, fleshy crown, and are simply pinnate (only 

 once divided to the midrib) ; but their pinnee (leaflets) are much larger, 

 sharply toothed, slightly lobed, and of quite a peculiar and distinct shape, 

 through their being strongly auricled on both sides at the base. This form 

 has quite a different aspect from all other Ferns in cultivation, and requires 

 very little care in its management, being quite as hardy as the species. — 

 Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 257. Nicholso?i, Dictionary of Gardening, 

 i., p. 126. 



A. f. Fortunei — For-tu'-ne-i (Fortune's), John Smith. 



This variety, native of Japan, and known in commerce as Cyrtomium 

 Anom,ophyllum, differs from the type in having the pinnae (leaflets) narrower 

 and more opaque. The fronds, which are produced in greater quantities, 

 are also of a more upright habit, 2ft. to 2fft. long, and their pinnae (leaflets), 

 slightly auricled at the base, are of a rather thin texture, and of a dull dark 

 green colour when matured, but prettily mottled with lighter green in 

 their young state. Fortunei is quite as hardy as the species, and reproduces 

 itself true from spores. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 126. 



A. f. pendulum — pen'-dul-um (hanging down), Schneider. 



This garden variety, raised by Mr. J. Naylor, of Harrow, appears to 

 partake in about equal degrees of the characters of those previously 

 described, from which, however, it is totally distinct. Its elegant fronds, 

 lft. to l^ft. long and about 6in. broad, are borne on stipes (stalks) 5in. 

 to 6in. long and of a slightly scaly nature, excej3t at the base, where the 

 scales, of a light brown colour, are both large and numerous. The pinnae 

 (leaflets), in shape like those of A. f. Fortunei, but wedge-shaped at the 

 base instead of being partly stalkless, are short-stalked on the whole length 

 of the frond ; they are of a leathery texture, yet shining like those of the 

 typical A. falcatum. The distinguishing character of this variety, however, 

 resides in the general habit of the plant, which is gracefully pendulous 

 (see Plate), and becomes still more so as it attains a greater development ; 

 the rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) of the fertile fronds being of 

 a peculiarly zigzag nature and more gracefully arching than 'that of the 

 barren ones. This remarkable variety, like the preceding ones, reproduces 

 itself quite true from spores, which are plentiful and germinate very freely. 



