ASPLENIUM. 



511 



on account of their being tripinnatifid (three times divided half-way to the 

 midrib) and of a slender nature, with pinna? (leaflets) as finely cut as in 

 A. b. Fabianum, and segments (sub-divisions) of the pinnules (leafits) so 

 narrow that the sori (spore masses) often appear as if marginal (situate on 

 their very edge). The most distinctive character of this variety, however, 

 resides in the closeness of the crown, which, instead of forming a sort 

 of shuttlecock as in all other Aspleniums, is always well filled up with 

 fronds falling outwardly, forming a most compact and symmetrical plant. — 

 Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 218. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, 

 I, p. 129. 



A. canariensis — can-a'-ri-en'-sis (from the Canaries). Synonymous with 

 A. Ceterach aureum. 



A. (Euasplenium) Carruthersii — Eu-as-ple'-ni-um ; Car-ruth'-ers-i-i 

 (Carruthers'), Baker. 

 A very distinct, stove species, native of Viti, whose oblong- spear- shaped 

 fronds, from 6in. to 15in. long and borne upon short grey stipes (stalks) 

 bordered upwards with a few closely-pressed, small, brown scales, are furnished 

 with only four or five pairs of pinnse (leaflets). These pinnas, of a pale 

 grey-green colour and coriaceous (leathery) texture, are set a little distance 

 apart, distinctly stalked, 4in. to 5in. long, and more or less toothed, according 

 to the age and state of development of the subject. The sori (spore masses), 

 about |in. long and regular, are subcostular (disposed close to the midvein, 

 falling far short of the edge). — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 483. 



A. (Euasplenium) caudatum — Eu-as-ple'-ni-um ; cau-da'-turci (tailed), 

 Forster. 



This is a very interesting and highly-decorative, stove species, native oi 

 India, Polynesia, Java, Brazil, Ecuador, &c, so that its range of habitat is 

 very extensive. Its handsome fronds, 1-Jft. to 2ft. long, 4in. to Sin. broad, 

 and borne on firm stalks 4in. to 6in. long, densely clothed with fine, small, 

 brown scales, are composed of from twenty to thirty pairs of pinnas (leaflets) 

 Sin. to 4in. long and comparatively narrow, seldom lin. broad, elongated, 

 spear-shaped, usually opposite, and pinnatifid (divided half-way to the midrib) ; 

 these pinnas are broadest at the base and attenuated at their extremity, 



