Choice Ferns for AmateUrd. 
DAVALLIA — continued. 
the name of Acropliorus. It is well adapted for growing 
on rockwork^ where it should be planted on projecting 
places. The elegantly-divided fronds, 1ft. to 2ft. long, Gin. 
to 12in. broad, and somewhat spear-shaped, are borne on 
strong, erect stalks 4in. to 9in. long, and three or four 
times divided to the midrib ; they are produced from thick 
prostrate stems (Fig. 86) that are densely clothed with 
sharp-pointed scales of a peculiar rusty colour. The ulti- 
mate segments of the fronds are cleft nearly to the mid- 
rib, and are provided with sharp teeth. The small sorit are 
disposed at the base of the teeth, two to six to a segment. 
D. alpina. 
A charming little stove species, of trailing, dwarf 
habit, native of Java, Borneo, and the Polynesian Islands, 
and totally distinct from all others. Its fronds, which 
are abundantly produced from very slender and peculiarly 
flattened rhizomes, densely covered with scales of a light 
brown colour, are of two kinds. The barren ones, 2in. to 
Sin. long, and about l^in. broad at their base, are tri- 
angular in outline; their upper segments, of a leathery 
texture, and of a dark shining-green coLour, are broad 
and slightly toothed. The fertile fronds have their segments 
more finely divided, more distantly placed, and deeply and 
sharply toothed, which chariacters give the plant a 
very elegant appearance. Both kinds of fronds are borne 
on slender stalks, 2in. to 4in. long, and have their rachis 
narrowly winged. The sori are placed in the teeth on both 
sides. This little gem requires a warm temperature and 
moist atmosphere, although it is not partial to watering 
overhead. It succeeds remarkably well, and forms a very 
handsome little specimen, when grown on a pyramid of 
fibrous peat. 
D. buUata. 
This handsome, deciduous, stove or greeoihouse species, 
native of Japan, Java, and Hindostan, is popularly 
known as the Squirrel's - foot Fern, from the general 
appearance of its creeping rhizomes, which are in- 
variably clothed with minute reddish-brown scales. The 
fronds, which are abundantly produced on these rhizomes, 
are Sin. to 12in. long, 4in. to Sin. broad, somewhat tri- 
angular, quadripinnatifid, of a rich, dark shining green 
colour, of a leathery texture, and are borne on rather 
slender, yet firm, stalks Sin. to 4in. long. The deeply half- 
cup-shaped sori occupy the greater part of the tooth in 
which they are placed on the margin of the segments, and 
are usually provided with a horny projection on the 
