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FEEX5 : EEITISH AXD rOEEICX. 
or temperate liouse. This species, as well as the whole 
of the species of true Dicksonice, are characterized by 
the base of the stipes being clothed with a more or 
less coating of beautiful, articulated silky hairs; in 
some species of Gxbotium, the quantity is so great, that 
in the Sandwich Islands it is collected, and ship-loads 
of it sent to California and Australia for stuffing 
cushions, beds, &c. Another remarkable species of 
this alliance is Cibotium Barometz, a native of China 
and other parts of Eastern Asia ; its fronds attain the 
height of twelve to fourteen feet (even in this country) ; 
they rise from a thick decumbent caudex, which is 
densely covered with silky hairs, as above described ; 
lying on the ground, it has the appearance of a woolly- 
clad animal. The stories told about it to early travellers 
led them to describe it as an animal with flesh and 
blood, but fixed to one position, from which it never 
moves; hence the story of the now fabulous Barometz, 
or Vegetable Lamb. This plant is of easy cultivation; 
if placed on soil slightly raised, a few years* growth 
will produce very good specimens of the “Lamb.** 
The rare Schizoccena sinuata is an exception to the 
general rule that characterizes Tree Ferns, the stem 
being slender, not exceeding an inch in thickness, 
attaining the height of three or four feet, and bearing 
a fascicle of simple fronds. This remarkable Fern is a 
native of Ceylon; it grows in shady places in woods 
where a degree of coolness prevails. A few years ago 
plants of it were received at Kew, and it was found 
necessary to place them in a large Wardian Case, in 
which they flourished. 
Although the plants belonging to the order Marat - 
tiacece are ranked with Ferns, they nevertheless differ 
