A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
251 
which will succeed under cold treatment. Marattias 
possess an immense advantage over most, if not all, 
other gigantic-growing Ferns, inasmuch as, if they 
are accidentally allowed to get dry at the roots, the 
fronds and their divisions, being jointed and of a 
fleshy nature, hang down and become quite flabby — 
a condition in which they have the power of remain- 
ing a comparatively long time without sustaining 
any serious damage. It is, however, advisable, when 
plants in that condition are detected, to give water 
at the roots at once, when the fronds will speedily 
regain their former stiffness without showing a trace 
of having suffered from the mishap. 
Marattias are usually and readily increased by 
laying the basal scales of the fronds on a bed of 
constantly moist material, such as sphagnum, where 
they will be found to emit roots most freely, and to 
produce on each side of the scales little bulbous 
growths, which later on develop into plants similar 
to the parents. 
M. alata. 
This is a species of highly orn,a men till habit and 
strikingly distinct characters, native of the West Indies, 
Mexico, and Guatemala. Its magnificent fronds, 3ft. to 4ft. 
long and tripinnatifid, lare borne on robust stalks 1ft. to 
2ft. long, lin. or more thick, of a fleshy nature, and de- 
ciduously scaly. The lower leaflets are the largest, and the 
ultimate divisions or segments, which are ^in. to fin. long, 
^m. broad, of a soft, papery texture, oblong in shape, blunt 
or pointed, with a wedge-shaped base, sometimes smooth, 
but usually finely toothed on their margins, are unique in 
the genus. The same remark applies to the rachises, which 
through their entire length are furnished with a very dis- 
tinct and conspicuous wing. The synangia, which are 
copious and nearly marginal, have their sides erect and 
their attachment oblong or roundish. Spores of this species 
are produced f reely ; but they will not develop beyond the 
prothallus stage. 
M. Cooperii. 
This native of New Caledonia is unsurpassed for decora- 
tion in a warm conservatory. Ite magnificent, massive, 
much-divided fronds, 2^ft. to 3ft. long and 2ft. broad, rise 
from between two horny-looking appendages of a peculiarly 
rough nature, and are borne on succulent, blackish, round 
stalks 2ft. to 3ft. long, of a somewhat dull colour and 
