196 
Choice Ferns for Amateurs. 
Grown in either pots or pans, Davallias that are 
provided with rhizomes require to be a little elevated 
above the rim, as nothing is more injurious to them 
than to have their rhizomes buried in the soil, 
especially the species whose rhizomes are clothed 
with large, chaffy scales. Besides being highly 
decorative, their fronds last a very long time when 
severed from the plant. Most of them delight in a 
compost made of three parts fibrous peat, one part of 
chopped sphagnum or good leaf mould, and one part 
of silver sand, with thorough drainage and an abun- 
dant supply of water at the roots during the growing 
season. During the winter they must be watered 
only sparingly, never allowing them, however, even 
those that are deciduous, to become quite dry. This 
is a very important point, as, if the rhizomes are 
allowed to shrivel, the ensuing growth will be much 
weaker. The plants require no syringing overhead, 
but derive much benefit from being kept near the 
glass, where good light is obtainable. 
Those species without rhizomes are propagated 
by spores, which are abundantly produced, and 
which, if sowm in heat, germinate freely and soon 
form little plants ; while species provided with 
rhizomes may be increased by the division of these 
organs in the early spring. Where Davallias like 
dissecta, hullata, and Mariesii are required in quan- 
tities, it is much more satisfactory to raise seedlings; 
and if, as soon as they have produced a small 
rhizome 2in. long, this is repeatedly pruned, they 
produce, in a remarkably short time, pretty, bushy 
little plants. 
D. aculeata. 
This very handsome West Indian stove species is re- 
markable on account of its climbing habit, which resembles 
that of a bramble. Its elegantly-divided fronds possess the 
singular property of lengthening at the points very much 
in the way of Lygodiums and Gleichenias. Their stalks 
and rachis measure sometimes 6ft. in length, and are 
covered with sharp thorns curved downwards ; they are 
tripinnatifid, and their lower leaflets, 1ft. to l^ft. long, 
4in. to Gin. broad, and somewhat spear-shaped, are divided 
into leafits, which in their turn are cut into wedge-shaped 
