112 A TEEN BOOK FOR EVERYBODY. 



The Ostrich Feris" {StrutJiiopteris Germanica), This 

 splendid hardy fern is not half so well known as it 

 deserves to be. The erect pale green fronds from 18 

 inches to 3 feet in height, are arranged like the 

 feathers in a shuttlecock. The fertile fronds have a 

 different form to the barren fronds, and do not appear 

 till the summer, whilst the barren ones are developed 

 early in spring. It is a thoroughly hardy species, and 

 deserves a place in every outdoor fernery. 



The Halbert Perist {Artliropteris filipes) is a little ever- 

 green species suitable for a " case," with a long, thin, 

 creeping root-stock, from which the fronds rise singly, 

 at short distance apart. The fronds are halbert-shaped, 

 with a pair or more of rounded lobes at the ba-se, the 

 whole length being about 3 or 4 inches. It is a New 



Zealand fern, and may be grown in a greenhouse or 



a case. 



The Orizaba Polypody {Folypodium affine) is very little 

 known, and although too large for a Wardian case, it 

 will succeed very well in a greenhouse. The fronds 

 are from 12 to 18 inches in length, and consist of about 

 four pairs of spear-shaped leaflets and an odd one at 

 the end. Each leaflet is 2 or 3 inches in length, per- 

 haps more, deeply notched at the edges. The foot- 

 stalk is comparatively long. 



The Sickle Polypody {Folypodium trepanum) is a 

 Madeira species suitable for a greenhouse. It is a large 

 and elegant evergreen fern, with a triangular outline, 

 and sickle-shaped leaflets, arranged in a feathery man- 

 ner on the branches, each leaflet being sharply toothed. 

 Its appearance is very much that of a Shield Pern. 



Purple American Pern {Flatyloma atropwyured). 

 Although not sufficiently hardy to bear our winters 

 out of doors, this is nevertheless a useful fern, easy of 

 cultivation in a light soil, with good drainage and not 

 too much water. The fronds are G or 8 inches in length, 

 light and graceful, and suited for a Wardian case. 



