500 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



pinnules has been found in quantities in all the Sholas. Although the 

 extreme forms differ very widely, some of the American examples quite 

 correspond with the Cape and East Indian plants.— -Boohr, Species Filicum, 

 iii., p. 223. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, i., p. 128. Beddome, Ferns 

 of Southern India, t. 157. 



A. (Euasplenium) atrovirens— Eu-as-ple'-ni-um ; a'-tro-vir'-ens (dark 

 green), Baker. 



This stove species, native of the Solomon Islands, is very distinct. Its 

 fronds, oblong-spear-shaped, lift, to 2ft. long, and bearing a proliferous bud 

 at their extremity, are borne on dull, blackish stalks, on which may be 

 found a few scattered scales. The pinnse (leaflets), ten to fifteen on each 

 side of the midrib, are 5in. to 6in. long by about lin. broad, and end in 

 a tapering point slightly toothed towards the tip; their texture is thin, but 

 firm, and their surfaces are both naked and of a dark green colour. The 

 sori (spore masses) are regular, parallel, and disposed about equidistant 

 between the edge and the midvein. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iii., p. 109. 



A. (Euasplenium) attenuatum — Eu-as-ple'-ni-um ; at-ten-u-a'-tuni 



(attenuated), Robert Brown. 

 This singular, dwarf, rigid Fern, native of New South Wales and 

 Queensland, requires stove temperature. Its dark green fronds, their fleshy 

 texture, and their narrow, ragged outline (Fig. 80), contrast singularly with 

 other species. They are scarcely divided, becoming pinnatifid (divided half- 

 way to the stalk) only at the base ; they rise from a short, erect crown, 

 and are borne on short stalks covered with narrow, blackish scales ; their 

 length varies between 6in. and 12in., and they are usually proliferous at their 

 extremity. The lowest lobes, which are oblong or roundish, reach down 

 nearly or quite to the crown. The large and comparatively few sori (spore 

 masses) occupy much of the lower surface, where they reach nearly to the 

 edge. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iii., p. 92. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, 

 i., p. 128. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, v., t. 35b. 



A. (Ceteraeh) aureum — Ce'-ter-ach ; au'-re-um (golden). A variety of 

 A. Ceteraeh, popularly known as Ceteraeh officinarum. 



