IL— A DICTIONARY OF CHOICE FERNS 
ACONIOPTERIS. see Acrostichum. 
ACROPHORUS. 
Moore's name for a genus at one time kept up, 
but not now considered botanically distinct from 
DavalUa. In catalogues the name is usually found. 
ACROSTICHUM. 
As at present constituted, the genus Acrostichum 
is a very extensive one, and as diversified as it is 
extensive. The majority of the species are of tropical 
origin, and they are markedly different in habit; 
they comprise individuals that are of extremely 
small size, and others that may be fairly classed as 
gigantic; while the veining, and the way the fronds 
are " cut " or divided, constitute a very interesting 
feature. To the sori must be looked for the distin- 
guishing characters of the genus : these are spread 
over the whole under-surface of the fertile fronds, 
or of their upper leaflets, or occasionally over both 
surfaces, and not confined to the veins only. The 
ways in which Acrostichums may be employed 
as decorative subjects are numerous. The strongest- 
growing species and varieties are useful for covering 
the stems of Tree Ferns, as well as unsightly walls, 
