Pteris. 
41 
Entre Rios, &c. Considering its very wide dispersion, it does not present us with much varia- 
bility. Its sharp spinous teeth are alluded to in several of the synonyms which it possesses : 
for instance, it is the P. serraria of Swartz, a very good name. 
Although now so commonly met with, Pteris cretica was not introduced to our gardens at 
a very early period. The exact date of its introduction does not seem to be known, but there 
is a note attached to some of Mr. John Smith’s specimens in the British Museum herbarium, 
stating that it was in Kew Gardens as early as 1822. Like the species last described, it 
increases very rapidly; it has grown spontaneously for a long time on the damp walls of 
the botanical houses at the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, and springs up in similar situations 
at Kew. 
The variety albo-Iincata, to which we have already alluded, is an extremely elegant 
plant, well characterised by the whole length of the centre of the frond being more or less 
irregularly taken up by a white streak, the remainder of the frond being dark green. Although 
now so frequently met with in cultivation, it is of comparatively recent introduction ; it is 
figured in the “Botanical Magazine” for August, i860, and is there stated to have been 
previously unrecorded. The variety is interesting as being one of those which is met with 
in a wild state, being found in Java and also, more recently, in Brazil. Like the typical 
form of the species, it increases readily from spores, and preserves its character. It is 
deservedly in request for bouquets, as it retains its freshness for a long time. 
VARIETIES OF PTERIS. 
