ASPIDIUM. 



475 



with large scales of a light brown colour. The pinnse (leaflets) are about 

 lin. long, mucronate (abruptly pointed) at their extremity (Fig. 73), and 

 cut down below to the stalk into spear-shaped or sharp-pointed, narrow 

 lobes of a leathery texture. The sori (spore masses) are disposed principally 

 in two rows near the midrib. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 12, t. 214. 



A. (Euaspidium) trifoliatum — Eu-as-pid'-i-um ; trif-ol-i-a'-tum (three- 

 leaved), Swartz. 



This stove species, native of the West Indies and Tropical America, 

 is, when well grown, one of the most conspicuous of all cultivated Ferns. Its 

 bold-looking fronds, 1ft. to ljft. long and Gin. to 12in. broad, with a large 

 terminal pinna (leaflet) narrowed or forked at the base, are borne on tufted, 

 brownish, stout stalks 1ft. or more long and scaly only at the base. They 

 also usually have on each side one or two lateral leaflets of a nearly triangular 

 shape, the lowest of which are mostly forked ; these leaflets are of a soft, 

 papery texture and bright green colour ; they are also fertile throughout. 

 The abundant sori (spore masses), disposed in rows near the main veins, 

 are gigantic and conspicuously black. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 45. 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 127. Lowe, Ferns British and 

 Exotic, vi., t. 29. 



A. t. heracleifolium— he-rac-le-if-oF-I-um (Heracleum-leaved), Willdenow. 



A. trifoliatum is very variable, but this form appears to be the only 

 constant and distinct one known in cultivation. It differs from the species 

 in having its leaflets pinnatifid (divided half-way to the midrib) on both 

 sides at the base. 



A. (Polystichum) tripteron — Pol-ys'-tich-uro. ; trip'-ter-on (three- 

 winged), Kunze. 



This greenhouse, or nearly hardy, species, which is one of great elegance 

 and not likely to be confounded with any other, is a native of Japan and 

 Tsus-Sima, where it is found wild on rocky places on sandy hills. It is of 

 medium growth and of a deciduous nature. Its singular fronds (Fig. 74), 

 lft. to lift, long, are borne on stipes (stalks) 6in. to 9in. long and densely 

 clothed at the base with large, dark brown scales ; they consist of a large 



