A SPLENIUM. 



493 



smaller and closer ; most of them are l-|in. to Sin. long, almost sessile 

 (stalkless), bluntish at the point, shortly wedge-shaped at the base, toothed 

 on the margin, bright green, and of a thin, papery texture. Each frond, 

 when fully developed, bears at its extreme end a solitary small bulbil, from 

 which this species may readily be increased. The sori (spore masses) are 

 distant, linear (long and very narrow), situate near the costa (midrib), 

 which they do not reach, any more than they do the edge of the pinnse. — 

 Hooker, Species Filicum, iii., p. 121. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., 

 p. 128. Lowe, New and Rare Ferns, p. 27, t. 12b. 



Fig. 78, Frond of Asplenium alatum 



(I nat. size). 



A. ( Anisogonium) alismaefolium — An-is-og-o'-ni-um ■ al-is-mse-for- 

 i-um (Alisma- leaved), Hooker. 

 A stove species, native of the Isle of Luzon, with fronds Gin. to 9in. 

 long, 2in. to 3in. broad, and of a leathery texture. These fronds, which vary 

 in shape from simple (undivided) and oblong-spear-shaped to ternate (arranged 

 by three) or even pinnate (divided to the midrib), are borne on firm, 

 erect stipes (stalks) that are scaly throughout ; their edges are smooth and 

 their extremity terminates in a tapering point. When the plants are strong 



