A SPLENIUM . 



603 



nearly equal, with a distinct midrib, their edge slightly toothed, and their 

 base often auricled (eared) on both sides. The fronds are abundantly produced 

 from a thick and slightly- creeping rhizome (prostrate stem), so that, being an 

 evergreen species, the plant is well furnished at all seasons with fronds which 

 last a very long time. The numerous sori (spore masses) are disposed in two 

 regular rows on each side of the midrib and reach nearly to the edge. — 

 Hooker, Species Filicum, hi., p. 149, t. 190. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, i., p. 131. Beddome, Ferns of British India, t. 63. 



A. lueidum — lu'-cid-um (shining), Forster. 



The plant which is extensively grown under this name for decoration 

 is really a form of A. obtusatum. It is equally indigenous in iiustralia and 

 in New Zealand. — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 207. 



A. (Euasplenium) lunulatum — Eu-as-ple'-m-um ; lu-nul-a'-tum 



(crescent- shaped), Swartz. 



This pretty, stove species, also known as A. erectum, is very widely 

 distributed throughout the Tropics, from Cuba to Rio Janeiro and Juan 

 Fernandez, in the Sandwich Islands, Indian and Malayan Peninsulas, Ceylon, 

 Cape Colony, northward to Bourbon, St. Helena, Ascension Islands, and on the 

 Guinea Coast. It is of medium dimensions, and its narrow-spear-shaped fronds, 

 6in. to 18in. long and only about l£in. broad, borne on nearly naked, grey 

 stalks 2in. to 4in. long, are furnished with from twenty to twenty-five pairs 

 of pinna) (leaflets) about lin. long, Jin. broad, bluntish at the point, and 

 more or less deeply notched throughout. These fronds are of a thin, papery 

 texture, dark green in colour, and the lower pinna) are often cleflexecl (thrown 

 back), whereas the others are all horizontal. The sori (spore masses), disposed 

 on each side of the midrib, form oblique lines falling short of both edge 

 and midrib. — Hooker, Species Filicum, hi., p. 127. Nicholson, Dictionary of 

 Gardening, i., p. 131. 



Several pretty and distinct forms of A. lunulatum are cultivated as 

 decorative Ferns, the principal ones being A. I. Fernandesianum of Kunze and 

 A. I. reclinatum of Houlston (which is the same plant as A. tenellum of 

 commerce and so named by Roxburgh). The former is distinguished from 

 the typical plant by its more rigid habit and also by the more coriaceous 



