336 



FLORA AND SYLVA. 



H. demissum. — This fine species is a gene- 

 ral favourite and the easiest of all to grow, 

 producing deep green fronds, which are thrice 

 cut into very fine segments. The best kind for 

 beginners and one of the most beautiful, the 

 light and dark green of the young and old 

 fronds being prettily contrasted. New Zea- 

 land, and islands of the Pacific. 



H. dichotomum. — Acharming dwarf species, 

 thriving upon mossy trees and remarkable for 

 its finely crisped fronds of pure transparent tex- 

 ture, which single it out from other kinds. Its 

 fronds are about 6 inches long, broadly trian- 

 gular in shape, and twice divided ; the deli- 

 cately crisped segments are somewhat toothed 

 or spinyat the edges,and deep green in colour; 

 roots creeping. Grows well upon Tree-Ferns 

 or even a wooden block covered with moss. 

 Chiloe and Juan Fernandez. 



H. dilatation. — This is perhaps the largest 

 and most beautiful of the genus. Its fronds are 

 broad, three times divided, with the stems 

 winged, of a delicate translucid green colour, 

 12 to 1 8 inches long and gracefully arched; 

 they grow upon creeping roots, which should 

 not be buried but allowed to climb. Abundant 

 in New Zealand, Java, and the isles of the Pa- 

 cific, thriving upon mossy tree-trunks. 



H. jiabellatum. — A variable species, some 

 forms bearing short, dense fronds, while more 

 often they measure io or 12 inches ; they are 

 twice divided and of bright, shining green co- 

 lour. Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand, 

 the creeping roots growing over Tree-Ferns 

 or filling the moist hollows of rocks and tree- 

 trunks. Syns. H. nitens and H. nitidum. 



H.Jiexuosum. — A Fern with broadly ovate 

 fronds, finely crisped and waved at the margin, 

 much divided, deep green in colour, and nearly 

 a foot long. It is one of the few kinds not in- 

 jured by overhead sprinkling. Akin to H.cris- 

 patufti, it is found only in North Island, New 

 Zealand, its wiry roots rambling through de- 

 caying vegetation. 



H.fuciforme. — A charming plant of very 

 strong growth, thriving upon tree-trunks in 

 shady woods. The fronds are from i to 2 feet 

 long,very broad, erect,smoothly shining, much 

 winged, and suffused with a beautiful grey 

 bloom. Its creeping roots are thicker than in 

 most Filmy Ferns, and more like the woody 

 crowns of other Ferns. It delights in a moist 



atmosphere, and is from the islands of Chiloe 

 and Juan Fernandez, but very rare. 



H. magellanicum. — Creeping roots, with 

 upright, rigid fronds upon wiry, winged stems 

 of several inches ; the leaflets thrice divided, 

 tough in texture, with the margins toothed 

 and hairy, and pale green in colour. Very im- 

 patient of water upon the fronds. From Chiloe 

 and heights of the Organ Mountains in Brazil. 

 Syn. H. attenuatum. 



H. pectinatum. — One ol the best kinds, 

 very distinct from others, but seldom seen in 

 collections. Creeping roots, with fronds of 6 

 inches or more, grey-green in colour and beau- 

 tifully veined, their tips curving upward, and 

 toothed on the upper side only, thus resembling 

 a comb. Found only in southern Chili. 



H. polyanthos. — A species of wide range, 

 common in the West Indies, South America, 

 Western Africa, the East Indies, New Zealand, 

 and other lands, and much varied as a result. 

 The West Indian form is commonest in collec- 

 tions, but from dried specimens that from 

 New Zealand would seem the most beautiful. 

 Root-stock wiry and creeping, with fronds 

 thrice divided, dark green, and 6 to 12 inches 

 long. This kind does well in an airy place, or 

 may be grown very prettily hanging from 

 wooden blocks or bits of Fern-trunk, where its 

 finely arching fronds are well seen. Syn. H. 

 protrusum. A form from Ceylon and Malacca, 

 known as Blumeanum, has its fronds narrower 

 and more tapering. 



H. pulcherrimum. — This rare plant is near 

 to H. dilatatum^ and fully as graceful yet very 

 different. The triangular fronds are 8 to 1 5 

 inches long, and 4 to 6 inches broad, deeply 

 divided into fine segments of soft texture and 

 pale green colour, drooping from the creeping 

 roots. New Zealand, about Lake Waikare. 



H. scabrum. — A fine erect-growing plant 

 with finely arching fronds of 12 to 20 inches, 

 the segments being several times divided ; their 

 colour is dark dull green, in effective contrast 

 with the stout reddish hairs upon the stem. 

 New Zealand. It does best in an airy place and 

 is averse to having its roots buried or the fronds 

 wetted overhead. 



H. tunbridgense. — A compact little plant, 

 which although a native is well worth grow- 

 ing, but not the easiest to manage. The fronds 

 are freely produced and soon cover the ground 



