58 
BRITISH FERNS. 
Adiantum formosum. Handsome Maiden-hair . Fronds 
tripinnate, 3 feet in length, 1| or 2 feet in breadth; 
stems black ; caudex woolly. A magnificent fern, highly 
ornamental to the fern-house. It is brought from New 
Holland. 
Adiantum concinnum . Neat Maiden-hair . Caudex 
creeping ; fronds bipinnate ; leaflets pendulous, crowded, 
semi-transparent; the fronds also are drooping, 2 feet 
long, and very elegant. It is an evergreen species and 
easily increased. A native of the West Indies and tro- 
pical America. 
Adiantum caudatum . Tailed Maiden-hair . Fronds 
pinnate ; stems long and slender ; pinnae crescent- shaped; 
rachis extending far beyond the pinnae, curling at the 
point, and forming a bulb which easily roots and puts 
forth fronds. The colour is dull green, the form of the 
fronds elegant, arching, and often drooping. It is much 
used for ornamental baskets, and is an East Indian and 
Chinese species. 
Adiantum, reniforme . Kidney -leaved Maiden -hair. 
Fronds simple, kidney-shaped, evergreen, upon shortish 
stems; the whole frond from 3-6 inches in length, of a 
bright colour and glossy texture. Requires a good deal 
of heat. It is a native of Madeira. 
Adiantum trapeziforme . Trapeziform-leaved Maiden- 
hair . Fronds with long stems ; the pinnae forked, taking 
their rise from nearly the same point on the stem, and 
so making a fan-shaped outline to the frond; leaflets 
with four unequal sides, hence the specific name. This 
fern is a very desirable one; it is evergreen, easy to 
manage, and its arborescent style of growth gives it a 
pleasing appearance. It is found wild in the West 
Indies and Central America. 
