no 
Ciioice Ferns for Amateurs. 
A D I AN T UM — continued, 
often are again divided, forming a beautiful tasisel 2in. to 
Sin. long. 
A. e. nanum. 
This variety, also of garden origin, is very useful where 
dwarf Ferns are required for edging or for pot culture, or 
where small fronds for mixing with flowers are in demand. 
Its rigid fronds, which are produced in great abundanee 
from a densely-tufted crown, are three times divided to the 
midrib, and furnished with wedge-shaped and closely-set 
leafits : they seldom attain more than Sin. in height. 
A. Farleyense. 
By far the most beautiful of the whole genus, and not 
inappropriately called the " Queen of Maidenhair Ferns," 
It is a native of Farley Hill, Barbados, and has attained 
such a degree of popularity and is so extensively known 
under the above name that, although classed in botanical 
works as simply a form of A. tenerum, is here accorded 
specific rank. For exhibitiooi purposes this evergreen Fern 
is unrivalled : it always attracts a deal of attention, and 
shows the gardener's skill to great advantage, with its broad, 
massive, yet gracefully-drooping fronds, four times divided 
to the midrib, from 2^ft. to 3ft. in length and frequently 
2ft. broad. When grown near the glass and under the 
influence of abundant light, the leafits, often l^in. broad, 
deeply fringed, and with almost crispy lobes are very 
prettily edged with a delicate pale crimson tint, which 
turns to a pleasing rich, light green colour when quite 
mature. Fig. 30. 
A. Fergusoni. 
An elegant, stove species, native of Ceylon, with fronds 
stiffly erect, 2ft. to 2^it. high, including the glossy purplish- 
black stalks. They are tripinnate, and furnished with 
long-stalked leaflets, which in their turn are subdivided into 
large, overlapping leafits, variable in form; but where 
sterile neatly-toothed and notched along the outer margin : 
the terminal one is generally three-lobed. On account of 
the light colour of its foliage, the aspect of this Fern is 
particularly pleasing. The sori, of oblong form, are 
situated at the top of the lobes of the pinnules. 
A. formosum. 
Oiie of the most ornamental Ferns in existence, and on 
that account grown in immense quantities. It is a native 
of Australia. The fronds, which are produced abundantly 
from slender, underground, creeping rhizomes, are branch- 
ing and four times divided to the midrib. They are erect 
or nearly so, and from l^ft. to 3ft. in height, one-half of 
