A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
155 
Nest Fern, A. Nidus, gives a splendid '^tropical'' 
effect in tlie outdoor summer bedding arrangements, 
but it must not be placed in full sunshine. 
It is worthy of special note that all Aspleniums 
are particularly free from the attacks of such pests 
as thrips, green fly, and mealy bug, and are natur- 
ally clean plants, their worst enemies being woodlice 
and slugs, which are fond of their succulent stalks. 
The former may be fought by means of phosphorus 
paste, and the latter with Slugicide. 
A. Adiantum=nig:rum. 
This hardy, evergreen species, popularly known as the 
Black Maidenhair Spleenwort, is a native Fern^ and is also 
found in quantities almost all over the world. The fronds, 
Gin. to 12in. long and 4in. to Gin. broad, are borne on chest- 
nut-brown, nearly black, polished stalks usually Gin. to 9in. 
long, but sometimes longer than the leafy portion of the 
fronds ; they usually taper to a long^ narrow point, and are 
of a deep shining green colour above and paler beneath. 
These fronds are furnished on each side wdth numerous 
leaflets, 2in. to Sin. long and l|in. to 2in. broad, cut down 
to a compressed, winged stalk into numerous leafits, which 
frequently are in their turn cut down into oblong segments 
sharply toothed round the outer edge, so that according 
to their state of development or to their size the fronds 
may be said to be twice, thrice, or almost four times 
divided to the midrib. The fronds are very lasting and 
highly valued on that account. They are extensively sold 
in the market as " French Ferm.'' 
This useful species has, in its wild state, produced 
several variations, the most distinct of which are — A. A.-n. 
acutum, A. A.-n. decompositum, A. A.-n. grandiccps 
(Fig. 7), A. A.-n. incisum, A. A.-7n. microdon, A. A.-n. 
ohtusatum, A. A.-n. oxyphyllum, A. A.-n. ramosum, and 
A. A.-n. variegatum. 
A. attenuatum. 
This singular, dwarf, rigid Fern, native of New South 
Wales and Queensland, requires stove temperature. Its 
dark green fronds, their fleshy texture, and their narrow, 
ragged outline, strikingly contnast with other species. 
They are scarcely divided, becoming pinnatifid only at the 
base; they rise from a short, erect crown, and are borne on 
short stalks covered with narrow, blackish scales; their 
length varies between Gin. and 12in., and they are usually 
