14 
Choice Ferns for Amateurs. 
scales or hairs beino^ superposed, evenly covering 
the surface ; while in the Silver Tree Ferns already 
alluded to, it is due to a " bloom ''-like coating that 
is most evenly distributed, but readily removed. For 
the golden appearance so much admired the effect is 
oftenest due to a thick coating of spores of a very 
brilliant colour — rOnychium auratum, for example. In 
the Gymnogrammes both Gold and Silver varieties 
are met with, due to the presence of a mealy powder. 
There is yet another section in which the silver " 
appearance imparted is of a more enduring character, 
as when it is the result of a uniform layer of a 
glaucous hue as in Cyathea dpolhata. Of the section 
depending UDon the superposition of scales or of 
short hairs for their character, the most noteworthy 
firenus is Notliochlcciia, the species 7\^. ferruamea, N . 
lamiginosa, N. Neivhcrryi, N. siniiata, and 7\^. sid- 
phitrea being excellent examples. 
Climbing: and Trailing Ferns. 
Very few amateurs seem to be aware of the 
existence of Climbing Ferns ; yet the trenus Lyciodiuiii 
undoubtedly furnishes a few species that are of either 
climbing or partially climbing habit, and whose 
fronds may be made to extend from 20ft. to 30ft. 
by careful culture and training. The value of such 
members in the decoration of a house devoted to 
Ferns is so great that it is impossible to rate such 
a characteristic too highly. The larger and more 
robust-growing species and varieties are admirably 
adapted for covering pillars, arches, or for training 
along the roof-fflass ; while the smaller-growing ones 
may be effectively employed as window plants, 
thriving, as they do, in a much lower temperature 
than their larger relatives, whose native home is 
tropical America, Australia, and the Polynesian 
Islands. Of this highly-decorative section the most 
popular of all is L, japonica, a rapid-growing 
basket - plant of the greatest beauty ; while 
L. palmatum (Fig. 10) is an elegant species for the 
greenhouse. 
