A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
79 
ACROSTICHUM— continued. 
belongs. The name of Elephant's Ear Fern, under which 
it is commonly known, conveys an idea of the extraordinary 
shape of its fronds. Fig. 41. The barren ones are of a 
leathery, yet succulent, texture, and dull green ; when fully 
developed, they frequently measure from l^ft. to IJft. 
Fig. 46. Acrostichum drynarioides, a species remarkable for 
its lengthy fronds being quite stalkless. 
long and from 8in. to lOin. broad. The fertile ones, of 
similar shape and texture, are smaller and contracted, their 
edges are turned inwards, and the whole of their under- 
side, with the exception of a narrow margin, is densely 
covered with brownish-black spore-cases, from which the 
spores escape at an early date. The barren and fertile 
