600 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



and Jin. broad at the base, have their edge slightly toothed and the base 

 truncate (terminating abruptly) on both sides. The sori (spore masses) are 

 linear and about two lines long. — Hooker, Species Filicum, hi., p. 258. 



A. laxum pumilum — lax'-um pu'-mil-um (loose and small). 



Under this popular name, for which we can find no authority, one of 

 the handsomest forms of the New Zealand A. bulbiferum is very extensively 

 grown, being one of the Ferns best adapted for indoor decoration. The most 

 distinctive character lies in the closeness of the crown, which is always well 

 filled up with fronds falling outwardly, yet forming a most compact and 

 symmetrical plant. It is of slender habit, dark green in colour, and the 

 segments or sub-divisions of the frond are so narrow that the spore masses 

 frequently appear as if marginal. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 218. 



A. (Diplazium) Lechleri— Dip-laz'-i-um ; Lech-le'-ri (Lechler's), Mettenius, 

 This is a very strong-growing, stove species, of somewhat coarse habit, 

 but well adapted for planting on the warm rockery. Its fronds, 3ft, long 

 and 2ft. broad at the base, are borne on stout, upright stalks 2ft. to 3ft, long 

 and scaly towards the base. The pinnae (leaflets), of a very coriaceous 

 (leathery) texture and about 1ft. long by 3in. broad, taper to a sharp point 

 at their extremity, while their base is equally rounded on both sides and 

 their edge is slightly toothed towards the point. The sori (spore masses) 

 begin at the midrib but fall short of the edge.— Hooker, Sjiecies Filicum, 

 iii., p. 244. 



A. (Euasplenium) Linckii — Eu-as-ple' -m-um ; Linck'-i-i (Linck's), 

 Kuhn. 



A greenhouse species, of small dimensions, native of Mount Kilimanjaro, 

 East Tropical Africa, where it is found at elevations varying between 5000ft, 

 and 8000ft. Its fronds, seldom more than Sin. long, are borne on short, 

 straw-coloured stalks and are quadripinnatifid (four times divided half-way 

 to the midrib) ; their leaflets, of a somewhat leathery texture and ten or 

 twelve on each side, are deltoid (in shape of the Greek delta, A), and have 

 their wedge-shaped lobes shortly stalked and furnished with sharp, narrow, 

 unequal teeth. The sori (spore masses) are only about two lines long. — 

 Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 487. 



