512 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



with their edge deeply toothed and their two sides unequal, the upper one 

 being auricled and narrowed suddenly, and the lower one very obliquely 

 truncate at the base. The fronds are of nearly the same breadth throughout, 

 except near the apex, where they suddenly become narrower and terminate 

 in a tail-like appendage, usually bearing one solitary bulbil, or sometimes two, 

 from which the plant may be readily propagated. This species is peculiar 

 also through the boldness of its sori (spore masses), of a bright reddish- 



Fig, 82. Partially-developed, Barren Frond of Asplenium caudatum 

 (4 nat. size). 



brown colour when mature, disposed on either side of and parallel to the 

 midvein, along the whole length of which they form a close double row ; 

 besides these, one or more, usually not so bold, are found running 

 longitudinally along the segments and at a slight angle to those near the 

 midvein. The frond illustrated (Fig. 82) is only a partially -developed, barren 

 one ; it does not show the tailed appendage which has given this plant its 

 specific name. — Hooker, Species Filicum, hi., p. 152. Nicholson, Dictionary of 



