A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
141 
an abundant supply of water at the roots during tlie 
growing season, and frequent syringings overhead 
are beneficial during that time, but during winter 
they should be watered sparingly. Like most other 
Aspidiums, propagation of the Cyrtomium section is 
best effected by spores, which are abundantly pro- 
duced, and which germinate very freely if sown as 
soon as gathered. 
A, acrostichoides. 
When fully developed, the leafy portion of the fronds is 
1ft. to 2ft. long, and rarely as much as 5in. broad. On each 
side of the midrib are from twenty-four to thirty leaflets, the 
uppermoisfc of which become gradually smaller, the frond 
ending in a short, serrated point. The largest of the barren 
leafletis are 2in. to Sin. long^ ^in. broad in the mid-die, oblong 
or oblong-spear-shaped from a very unequal base, being 
suddenly narrowed to a short stalk on the lower side of the 
base, but furnished on their upper side with a well-developed, 
triangular, bristle-tipped ear ; their margin is finely dented 
with incurved bristle-tipped teeth. They are tough as to 
texture, deep green, very smooth and shining on their upper 
surface, paler and minutely chaffy beneath. In the fertile 
fronds, which are usually taller, the upper third part is 
suddenly contracted, so that the lowest fertile leaflet is not 
more than two-thirds as long or as broad as the barren one 
next below it. The sori occupy the whole under-side 
of the fertile pinnee. Though hardy in most parts of this 
coinitry, this highly decorative Fern proves most useful when 
grown in either the cold house or the conservatory ; its fronds 
Last there much longfer than on plants outside. This is 
the Christmas Ferin of the United States. 
A. a g^randiceps. 
A very handsome variety, of garden origin, and the only 
crested North American Fern at present in commerce. It 
is smaller and altogether more compact than the type, from 
which it also' differs by the large crests formed at the end of 
the fronds, and the crests of smaller dimensions w^ith which 
their leaflets are ornamented. It is equally desirable for 
the hardy Fernery or for the conservatory. 
A. a. incisum. 
A pretty form, having broader fronds than the type ; the 
leaflets also are wider, deeply cut, and sharply pointed. 
A, aculeatum. 
Known by the popular name of Prickly Shield Fern, this 
handsome hardy species, whose brilliant, shining fronds are 
