A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
117 
ADIANTUM — continued, 
9m. to 18in. long, and of la very wiry nature. Their leafy 
portion grows to a length of from 2ft. to 3ft., land is almost 
triangular in outline and elegantly arched. These fronds 
are simply pinnate on two-thirds of their total length, but 
they usually have at the base from one to three branches, 
some of which are occasionally again slightly divided. The 
leafits are 2in. or more broad, l^in. deep, unequally ovate. 
Fig, 61. Adiantum pedatum, a distinct and very hardy 
North American Maidenhair. 
wedge-shaped at the base, and finely-toothed and lobed 
round the upper and outer edges. When mature, these 
leafits, which are borne on short though perfectly distinct 
footstalks, are of a beautiful dark green colour, contrasting 
agreeably with the soft metallic hue of the fronds in course 
of development and the pale green tint of those newly 
