l62 FERiVS IN THEIR HOMES AND OURS. 



jiella does not follow very closely the law that such varie- 

 gated plants are less healthy than others, for its fronds 

 are but slightly smaller than the ordinary green ones. 

 The varieties of this species are just the plants with 

 which to fill the shallow pans, or to use as undergrowth in 

 ferneries. They will endure quite a cool temperature, 

 and flourish in a hot one. They like shade, but will not 

 die in full light. 



So far, the species enumerated under the head 

 "Decumbent" are those of larger and more erect 

 habit. Among the creeping, low-growing sorts, 

 are 



S. tmcinata, Spring. Called also S. ccEsia. From China. 

 A plant adapted to pot-culture or the fernery. The 

 longer stems are stiff ; and in the fall the plant has a 

 beautiful color; but by spring the whole will have become 

 withered, and look badly. It may then be cut in quite 

 closely, and new shoots will soon develop. 



6*. Kraiisiaiia^ var. A delicate plant, with a golden tip to 

 each segment of the fronds. Somewhat like S. ATai'- 

 teusii^ var. divaj'-icata, but more delicate. 



S. delicatissima^ A. Br. From Columbia. Also called S. 

 ?nicrophylla, and is well described by either name. Like 

 the last species, it is more adapted to pan-culture than for 

 the fernery with other plants. In a small fernery, by it- 

 self, it can be managed v'ithout trouble. 



S. deniiculata^ Link. A European species, the commonest 

 in cultivation. It is even a weed in most fern-houses. 

 It is very useful to cover any damjD spot, and, for a 

 fernery, is always pretty. 



S. Apiis^ spring. A native of N. America. It grows in 

 damp, shady hollows. Is considered the same as the 



