220 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
inches. The frond, from the commencement of 
the rachis, has a very distinct three-branched 
appearance, from the circumstance of the lowest 
pair of branches — extending horizontally to right 
and to left — being much larger and longer than 
the higher ones. These lowest branches are again 
divided, each having above and below its mid-stem 
a row of leaflets. But the upper row of leaflets, 
near the main rachis, are much shorter than the 
lower row, and are deeply cleft or serrated. The 
two leaflets of the lower rows nearest the main 
rachis are so much developed, that at and near 
their base they are again divided into lobes, which 
in their turn are serrated. Curiously enough, 
however, the disproportion between the size of the 
leaflets on the upper and lower sides diminishes 
towards the point of the branch, and the process 
of division into lobes is also reduced gradually, 
so that near the tips of the branch the opposite 
leaflets are equal in size, and being then much 
smaller than those at the base of the branch, 
are not again divided into lobes, but are simply 
jagged or serrated at their. edges. Leaving now 
