170 
Choice Ferns for Amateurs, 
ATHYRIUM- See Asplenium. 
BALANTIUM. See Dicksonia. 
BLECHNUM. 
The genus is a comparatively small one, and 
derives its appellation from Blechnon, a Greek name 
for a Fern. It includes Blecnidium and Blech- 
iiopsis. The plant popularly described as Blechnum 
Spicant belongs to another genus — Lomaria. 
The distinctive characters of the family are 
found in the disposition of the sori, which are 
linear, continuous, or nearly so, and occupy a 
position parallel with, and usually contiguous to, 
the midrib. Their covering is membranous and 
distinct from the edge of the frond. 
Blechnums are mostly handsome-growing plants, 
of strong habit, very useful for decorative purposes, 
although they also include several dwarf kinds that 
are particularly adapted for Fern-cases or shallow 
crevices in the rockery. Like the Lomarias, to which 
they are closely allied, but from which they differ 
in not producing separate fertile fronds, the Blech- 
nums are mostly hardj^ of robust constitution, and 
of rapid growth. They also have a particular dislike 
to water over the fronds, which causes them to turn 
first brown and then black in a very short time, 
unless the plants are in a very light, warm, and 
well-ventilated place. This, to a certain extent, 
counterbalances the effects of the superfluous 
moisture by not allowing it to remain on the foliage 
long enough to injure it. Blechnums will thrive in 
almost any compost ; but their fronds become stouter 
and have more consistency when grown in a mixture 
of two parts peat, one part loam, and one part sand, 
with good drainage, taking care that the roots never 
suffer from want of water. Propagation is usually 
effected by means of the spores. These are pro- 
duced in abundance, and germinate very freely 
when sown in heat. 
B. boreale. 
Synonymous with Lomaria Spicant, 
