42 
BRITISH FERNS. 
Pteris tremula. Shaking Brake . Fronds much divided, 
2 feet long, spreading ; leaflets narrow and hollowed out 
at the edges. Very free in its growth, sowing itself on 
all sides. A native of New Zealand. 
Pteris umhrosa . Shading Brake . Fronds bipinnate at 
the base, and only pinnate towards the apex ; pinnae very 
long, the fertile ones sometimes measuring 10 inches. 
A handsome fern, growing to the height of 2 feet, and 
easily increased both by spores and by division. Brought 
from New South Wales. 
The genus Platyloma is allied to Pteris ; its name is 
derived from platys , broad, and loma , margin, in refer- 
ence to the broad border of spore-cases upon the under- 
margin of the frond. 
Platyloma atropurpurea. Dark purple Platyloma . Cau- 
dex creeping; fronds bipinnate, 10 inches high; pinnae 
oval, heart-shaped at the base, narrowing towards the 
point. Of a purplish-green colour, and very beautiful. 
A native of North America. 
Platyloma cordata. Heart-shaped Platyloma . Caudex 
thick, scaly, creeping ; fronds bipinnate, delicate, erect, 
1^ foot high; pinnae heart-shaped, pointed, of a beau- 
tiful light green colour, and hairy ; stems light brown. 
This is a Mexican species, it loses its fronds in winter, 
and should then have very little water. 
Platyloma falcata. Sickle-shaped Platyloma . Caudex 
creeping; fronds pinnate, lance-shaped, erect, 2 feet 
high ; pinnae oblong, pointed, heart-shaped at base, then 
sickle- shaped, of a dull green colour, and leathery tex- 
ture; stems scaly. A handsome fern, imported from 
New Holland. 
Platyloma rotundifolia. Round-leaved Platyloma . Cau- 
dex creeping; fronds pinnate, reclining, 1^ foot long; 
