A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
221 
6 
ever, owing to their great size and robust growth, 
some kinds may only be grown in pots. 
Gymnogrammes should be firmly potted in light 
material, made up of two parts fibrous peat, one of 
leaf mould, or the same quantity of finely-chopped 
sphagnum, and one of silver sand. Those grown in 
pots should not be mixed among other Ferns, but be 
kept by themselves and out of reach of the water 
from the syringe, as they not only suffer from the 
effects of watering overhead, but also present a 
wretched appearance, the white or yellow meal 
being easily displaced by the slightest sprinkling. 
Then, too, accumulations of water in the crests of 
the fronds will cause damping off in winter. This is 
particularly so with the beautiful form G. calomel- 
anos chrysophylla Parsonsii, This needs to be kept 
in a very dry place, and as close to the light as 
possible. They grow very well and get much better 
coloured if kept without, or with only very light, 
shading, the light, however strong, never being too 
much for them, provided they have been accustomed 
to it from the first, and that plenty of ventilation is 
afforded. Although particularly fond of a dry 
atmosphere, Gymnogrammes are plants that suffer 
very much if water at the roots is not freely 
administered. They are readily propagated from 
spores. 
Q. calomelanos. 
This very hiandisome^ robust-growing, land extremely 
variable, stove species, is la ntative of the West Indies ; also 
of the Tropical West African Islands. The oblong-triiangu- 
lar fronds, 1ft. to 3ft. long and Gin. to 12in. broad, are 
borne on firm, very nearly black, shining, tufted stalks Gin. 
to 12in. long. These fronds spring from lall round the crown 
of the rhizome, bending outwar-as, land leaving the plant 
very hollow in the centre. The spear-shaped leaflets, often 
cut down quite to the midrib, are closely set. Gin. long and 
l^in. to 2in. brotad ; they are divided into distinct, toothed 
leafits, of la somewhat leathery texture, dull green on the 
upper side, but entirely covered underneath with creamy- 
w^hite farinose powder. The sori are branched, oblique, 
and confluent, nearly covering each segment. 
Under this speeies are now included as forms many 
plants that in catalogues are usually regarded as species. 
