A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
99 
ADIANTUM — continued. 
habit; but plants of modemte size oommonly have their 
fronds erect, or but very slightly recurved. Certain forms, 
which by some authors are considered as distinct species, 
though varying only in their increased size, owe their more 
robust character no doubt to the warmer atmosphere to 
which they are naturally subjected, and it is very doubtful 
whether they are really distinct. 
This useful species has produced, either spontaneously 
or under cultivation, many varieties, some of which are 
remarkably handsome : all of them share the comparatively 
hardy character of the species. Some of the most interest- 
ing are : — ■ 
A. C.-V. cornubiense. 
This is one of the prettiest of all forms in cultivation. 
It is of dwarf and compact habit, and its fronds, seldom . 
more than Sin. long, including the stalks, are produced in 
abundance ; they are more or kss oblong in general outline, 
and are furnished with leafits of a deep green colour, of 
firm texture, though nearly transparent and prettily undu- 
lated at the edges. 
A. C.=V. daphnites. 
This is a most distinct form, with fronds Sin. to 12in. 
high, and of erect habit. The leaflets as well as the ex- 
tremity of the fronds, which terminate in a flattened crest 
some 2in. in breadth, are of a dull green colour, and 
curiously crisped and dilated, giving the plant a singular, 
semi -crested appearacQce. Fig. 54. 
A. C.=V. fissum. 
A very elegant form, of dwarf habit, having erect 
fronds, furnished with leafits rather broader than those of 
the type, but deeply cut into segments of various sizes and 
forms, which give the plant an appearance distinct from all 
other known varieties. It is a most pleasing Fern for the 
conservatory, as not only is it neat in habit, but the pinnules 
are of a bright green colour, and they last a very long time 
on the plant. 
A. C.=V. grande. 
In this variety, which is much bushier than the type, 
although the foliage is quite as long, the fronds have a 
feathery appearance, produced by the much larger size of 
their leafits, which are undulated and conspicuously ser- 
rated at their edges; they are of a very light green colour, 
and gracefully pendulous. 
A. C.=V. imbricatum. 
By far the handsomest of all varieties at present known. 
The appearance of the plant, as far as size, colour, and 
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