A Dictionary of Choice Ferns. 
265 
NKPHRODlVM-continued. 
of the way to the rachis into narrow-oblong, nearly sickle- 
shaped lobes J both surfaces of which .are pubescent with 
fine, white, sharp-pointed hairs. The rather small though 
conspicuous sori are disposed sometimes nearer the margin 
tha'n the midrib, and furnished with a roundish or kidney- 
shaped, persistent involucre, covered with hairs like those 
of the frond. There is a garden form, N. p. superhum, 
that far surpasses the type in elegance. 
N. prolificum. 
This greenhouse or even hardy species, introduced from 
Japan, is of comparatively small dimensions. Its fronds, 
which are produced from a succulent crown showing very 
little above the surface of the ground, and borne on green, 
wiry stalks Gin. to 9in. long, are of a somewhat elongated- 
triangular form, seldom exceed 1ft. in length, and are 
tripinnate. It produces, either in the axils of the leaflets 
or, less frequently, on the margins of their lobes, innumer- 
able leafy buds, by which it is easily and rapidly propa- 
gated. The abundance of the sori and their colour are also 
very characteristic, for the under-side of the lobes is entirely 
covered with conspicuous spore masses of a beautiful red 
when young, turning later on to a deep purple. Undoubtedly 
a Fern deserving a place in every good collection. 
N. pubescens. 
A very handsome, evergreen, stove species, native of 
the West Indies, and one which, in general appearance, 
somewhat resembles the better-known 2V. decompositum. 
N. Richardsi multifidum. 
This variety is no doubt one of the handsomest of all 
Ferns. The fronds differ from thoise of the typical plant 
in having their extremities, as well as those of the leaflets, 
cleft into numerous narrow, pointed, spreading, finger-like 
lobes. Its fronds, which are produced in great abundance 
from a short, succulent, decumbent stem, measure about 2ft. 
in length and 8in. in breadth at their widest part; they 
are borne on round stalks lOin. to 15in. long, of a pale green 
colour, and slightly downy when young. The leaflets, which 
are upwards of 4in. long in the broadest part of the frond, 
terminate in a dense tuft of long, narrow divisions, the 
extremity of the fronds being also divided into two or more 
branches consisting of numerous thread-like segments. The 
singular and elegant clxaracter of this useful plant is 
enhanced by its bright groen colour and the arching habit 
of its frondis. It reproduces itself true from spores. 
N. (Lastrea) Standishii. 
This is the popular name for Aspidium laserpififolium. 
