126 
Choice Ferns for Amateurs. 
ADl ASTXjyi— continued, 
portions of the fronds and of the pinnse are crowded." The 
fronds are triangular in shape and tripinnate, are about 
1ft. long, and, being produced from a close crown, they form 
la neat tufted mass of foliage; while the numerous large, 
nearly circular sori are disposed one or two on each lobe, at 
the tip of which they are situated. Fig. 63. 
A. Williamsii. 
One of the most beautiful of all known Maidenhairs, and 
one which thrives well under cool treatment, as it is a native 
of the mountains of Peru, where it is found at a great 
elevation. It may possil)ly be a form of the very variable 
A. (jethiopicum, and has somewhat the general aspect of 
A, fB. cliilense, although its growth is not so dense; it is also 
of a free and more vigorous constitution. 
A. Zahnii. 
Synonymous wdth A. Seemannii. 
ADIANTOPSIS. See Cheilanthes. 
AGLAOMORPHA. See Polypodium. 
ALEURITOPTKRIS. See Cheilanthes. 
ALLOSORUS, Se cheilanthes, Cryptogramme, and Pellaea. 
ALSOPHILA. 
The genus Alsophila is composed exclusively of 
species of Tree Ferns from either tropical or 
temperate quarters of the globe. The distinguishing 
characters reside in the globose sori, which are 
situated at the back of the fronds, and disposed on 
a vein or in the forking of a vein. These sori mostly 
stand out conspicuously from the leafy portion of 
the fronds, and are frequently downy, and destitute 
of involucres or covering. 
Alsophilas, as well as all other Tree Ferns, 
should have an abundant supply of water, which 
is best distributed over the stems with a syringe, 
liberally during the summer, but moderately during 
winter — without, however, suspending it alto- 
gether. The plants also require a good quantity of 
moisture at the roots, and occasional waterings with 
weak liquid manure are beneficial, especially in the 
spring, when unfolding their new fronds. Although 
Alsophilas grow well in a light conservatory, where 
