A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
259 
LtOMAKlA—ccmtinued. 
edging in tihe rockery or for planting in groups, miaking 
patches of a metallic or d,ark green colour on, &ay, the point 
of a rock, las it is a plant which requires very little soil in 
which to grow. 
L. attenuata. 
This distinct land handsome species, of easy cultivation, 
has a particularly wide range of habitat, being found in 
America, the Polynesian, Norfolk, Mauritius, and Bourbon 
Islands, Fernando Po, and Cape Colony. It is usually met 
with growing wild, either on the sides of Tree Ferns or on 
partly-decayed branches of trees. The barren fronds, 1ft. 
to 3ft. long and very gradually narrowed downwards, are 
furnished with numerous leaflets connected at the base, Sin, 
Fig. 99. Lomaria alpina, a nearly hardy evergreen species 
very useful for Fern=cases. 
to 4in. long, Jin. to fin. broad, gradually narrowing towards 
the point, which is sometimes bluntly toothed; they are of 
a leathery texture, and when young are of a very pretty 
rosy tint, but later on become dark green. The fertile fronds, 
of a similar shape, are much smaller, their numerous leaflets 
being very much contracted and of a uniform dark green 
colour at all times. Both kinds of fronds are produced from 
a stout, decumbent stem, densely clothed with narrow bright 
brown scales, with which the crown also is entirely covered ; 
they are borne on upright stalks 4in. to Gin. long, naked 
or but slightly scaly Below. L. gigantea of Kaulfuss is 
identical with this species. 
L. Boryana. 
Undoubtedly one of the most distinct species of the whole 
genus ; it is a decorative, greenhouse plant, native of the 
West Indies, and in gardens is familiar under the synonyms 
