A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
113 
ADIANTUM — continued. 
A. Ghiesbre^htii. 
This very handsome, stove plant, which is much more 
extensively known uinder the name oi A. scutum, originated 
in Mr. B. S. Williams's nursery, where it sprang up 
without anyone being able to say whence it came, or if it 
were merely an altered and improved form — a sport — of 
some species already in cultivation. Anyhow, it possesses 
the power of reproducing itself true from spores, as may be 
seen by the immense quantities of it which yearly find their 
way into our flower markets. It is a very fine Fern, of 
remarkably good constitution, with the habit of A. Farley- 
ense, but less dense, and undoubtedly a variety of A. 
tenerura : it also makes one of the finest known Maiden- 
hairs for decoration or for exhibition purposes. There is a 
lovely form of this (ramosum), with fan-shaped fronds and 
deep green leaflets. 
A. Henslovianum. 
This beautiful and most distinct, stove species, also 
known as A. Icctum, A. Beichenhachii, and A. sessilifolium, 
is a native of Columbia and Peru, and is of quite a different 
appearance from all other Adiantums, as the stalks, instead 
of being, as usual, thin, black, and polished, are thick, green, 
and gradually become of a dark chestnut-brown colour and 
slightly hairy. It is also readily distinguished from most 
others by the peculiarity possessed by its pinnules, the inner 
edge of which usually overlaps the midrib. 
A. hispidulum. 
Very handsome, greenhouse species, native of Australia 
and New Zealand ; it is extensively known and cultivated 
under the name of A. puhcscens (which see). 
A. Kunzeanum. 
This is synonymous with A. cristatum. 
A. Isetuni. 
Synonymous with A. Henslovianum. 
A. Lathomi. 
A beautiful, garden variety, possibly a natural sport 
from A. Ghieshregktii (A. scutum of commerce), which it 
somewhat resembles, though it differs from that species in 
having a gracefully-drooping instead of a semi-erect habit. 
One of the most ornamental of the large-growing Maiden- 
hairs in cultivation, and quite as useful in its way as the 
smaller A. cuneatum and varieties. 
A. lucidum. 
A distinct, stove species, of medium growth, native of 
the West Indian Islands, Panama, and Brazil. The fronds, 
I 
