172 
Choice Ferns for Amateurs. 
BL,KCHN\JM—co7itimied. 
long, ^in. broad, gradually narrowed towards the point, 
very finely toothed, the lower ones only being short and 
blunt ; they are of a light green colour, with both surfaces 
naked, and the sori are disposed in a continuous line close 
to the midrib. 
B. b. corcovadense. 
This variety, extensively grown for decoration, differs 
from the typical species in its fronds being of a beautiful 
crimson colour when young, gradually turning to a metallic 
hue before becoming permanently green ; they are also more 
erect. The plant forms an upright stem of the same 
dimensions as that of A. hrasiliense. 
B. b. c. crispum. 
A very pretty variety is met with in gardens under 
this name. It is not so strong-growing as the type, its 
fronds being shorter and furnished with wavy leaflets of a 
harsh texture and with crispy edges. 
B. cartilagineum. 
A very handsome greenhouse species, native of tem- 
perate x4ustralia. Its stem, which generally grows in an 
oblique position, is densely clothed at the crown with 
blackish scales. The fronds, 2ft. or more long, and Gin. to 
Din. broad, are borne on strong, upright stalks 4in. to 6in. 
long, scaly and covered with sharp points in the lower 
part; they are simply pinnate, and broadly spear-shaped. 
The leathery leaflets are gradually narrowed towards the 
point ; they have their margin finely toothed, and are 
enlarged and connected at the base, the lower ones being 
very little smaller than the others. The sori are disposed in 
a broad line close to the midrib. 
B. hastatum. 
A very distinct and pretty greenhouse species, native 
of the temperate parts of South America, producing from 
a short, stout, scaly stem its spear-shaped fronds, 1ft. to 
1-^ft. long and 2in. to 4in. broad; these are borne on erect 
and nearly smooth stalks 4in. to Gin. long, and are fur- 
nished on each side with from twenty to forty leaflets of a 
leathery texture. The barren leaflets, lin. to l^in. long 
and ^in. broad, are somewhat sickle-shaped and gradually 
narrowed to a point; they are slightly eared on their lower 
side, whereas their upper side is heart-shaped and provided 
with distinct halbert-shaped auricles. The fertile leaflets, 
of similar shape, are narrower, and the sori are disposed 
half-way between the midrib and the edge in a continuous 
or more or less interrupted line. 
