460 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



nearly equal and slightly eared. Higher up the frond the leaflets become 

 longer, the inferior ear disappears, and the pinna? curve strongly upwards. 

 Their edges are provided with large, pointed teeth. The sori (spore masses), 

 which are confined to the upper part of the frond, are usually disposed in 

 a single row on each side of the midvein, and half-way between it and 

 the margin. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 8. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, i., p. 126. Eaton, Ferns of North America, L, t. 22. Lowe, 

 Ferns British and Exotic, vi., t. 22. Beddome, Ferns of British India, 

 t. 128. 



The Holly Fern is somewhat capricious under cultivation, although when 

 established it will thrive in the greenhouse and luxuriate for a time in stove 

 temperature. The best mode of treatment, however, is that advocated by 

 Mr. W. Reeve. He has grown it most successfully in the cool house, where 

 it was constantly shaded and standing upon a cool, damp bottom. He 

 employed a compost of sandy loam and peat in equal parts, with a liberal 

 admixture of sharp sand. It may be cultivated upon the outdoor rockery, 

 but great care is necessary, as it is a very shy plant to establish itself in 

 dry, exposed situations. Mr. Reeve remarks that "a shady part of the 

 rockery must be selected, where it can be kept constantly damp without 

 ever being wet," and that it will not stand stagnant moisture ; also that it 

 must be planted firmly in the above-mentioned compost as early in the 

 spring as possible, and that if a hand- or bell-glass can be kept over it for 

 a short time it is all the better, as this will keep the soil moist about it 

 for some time without the application of much water, after which it should 

 be gradually inured to more air. It is usually increased by means of its 

 spores, which should be sown as soon as ripe, for the division of its 

 crowns, when several are produced, is at all times, and even under the most 

 favourable conditions, considered a very risky operation. 



Although so widely distributed, A. Lonchitis is remarkably free from 

 variations ; and, with the exception of Wollaston's variety multifidum — in 

 which the extremity of the frond is occasionally divided — and also of his 

 variety proliferum, of normal form, but producing small bulbils in the axils 

 of the lowest pinnae, it may be said that only one really distinct form of 

 this handsome species, viz., conferturn, is known either in a wild state or 

 under cultivation. 



