A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
201 
DAVALLIA — continued. 
a stout, wide-creeping rhizome densely clothed with woolly 
fibres; the leafits of their lower leaflets are fully 3in. long, 
lin. broad, and cut down into oblong segments which are 
slightly toothed, and of a leathery texture. The sori, 
covered by half-cup-shaped involucres, are disposed several 
on the extremity of each segment, and have sharp teeth 
projecting beyond them at the edges. This handsome 
species has produced several varieties, the principal of 
which are D. e. dissecta, D. e. elata land D. e. polydactyla, 
the last-named a strikingly handsome variety, with dark 
glossy green long-enduring fronds. 
D. fijiensis. 
This charming Fern — the most finely-divided species 
of the series to which it belongs — is, as its name implies, 
a native of the Fiji Islands, and requires stove temperature. 
It is remarkable through its thick rhizomes, which some- 
what resemble those of the common D. canariensis, but 
are usually straight. Its handsome fronds, although finely 
cut (Fig. 88), are firm and durable in texture; they are 
borne on upright, strong stalks, 6in. to 9in. long, measure 
from 1ft. to l^ft. in length and Gin. to 12in. in breadth, 
have a deltoid outline, and are of a bright green colour. 
Being of free growth, graceful habit, and evergreen, it 
must rank .amongst the most ornamental and useful of 
the whole genus. There are several more or less distinct 
varieties, the most striking being D. f. major and D. f. 
plumosa, perhaps one of the most elegant of all known 
Ferns, distinct from the species by the gracefully-drooping 
habit and the feathery nature of its pendulous fronds, as 
also by their much more finely-divided character. D. fiji- 
ensis and its various forms are all very useful as pot and 
basket plants, and very valuable for decorative purposes 
generally, making noble specimens, particularly adapted 
for exhibition. They are all averse to loam, a peaty 
compost of a sandy nature being that which suits them 
best. 
D. heterophylla. 
This very singular and pretty stove species is a native 
of the Malayan Peninsula and the Polynesian Islands. 
It and D. angustata are the only known Davallias with 
entire fronds. The fronds of D. heterophylla are produced 
from a small, creeping, scaly rhizome; they are Sin. to 
Gin. long, lin. broad, of a leathery texture, smooth 
on both surfaces, and shortly stalked; the barren ones are 
spear-head-shaped, entire, or sometimes slightly lobed at 
the base, while the fertile ones are narrower and - deeply 
