110 
BRITISH FERNS. 
each lobe of the pinnule, and the fructification follow- 
ing the course of these veins, becomes branched also, 
and as it ripens covers nearly all the under part of the 
pinna. 
Its only ascertained British habitat is the island of 
Jersey, where it has been found near St. Helier, St. 
Aubyn, and St. Lawrence, by Mr. Ward, and many a 
less noted fern-seeker. It has long been known as a 
native of southern Europe, and has also been found in 
Abyssinia, Persia, Mexico, and at the Cape of Good 
Hope. 
The Gymnogram should be provided with a very shel- 
tered nook in the fernery, or, better still, with a corner 
in the greenhouse, or the protection of a Wardian case. 
Mr. Johnson recommends a compost of equal parts of 
leaf-mould and peat, with a little sand, and in this it 
will flourish if supplied with a moderate quantity of 
water during its growing season. The fronds are of a 
yellowish-green, and this golden shade, together with 
the delicate form of the minute fern, give it the charm 
of contrast when growing among the ordinary inhabi- 
tants of the fernery. 
Insignificant as is our little native Gymnogram, it 
represents a family important in numbers and famous 
for beauty. To it belongs the group of Gold and Silver 
ferns, which form the pride of conservatories, the orange, 
yellow, sulphur, or snow-white powder covering the 
under side of the much divided fronds, and investing 
them with the charm of gay colouring in addition to 
that of elegance of form. 
