THE FERN PARADISE. 
the two lowest pairs on the frond are closely 
attached to the rachis without the intervention of 
any stalk, and they gradually diminish in length, 
and finally blend into the point of the frond. 
Placed on opposite sides of the stem, on the 
two lowest pairs of branches, are pairs of leaflets ; 
the largest of which — those nearest the com- 
mencement of the rachis — being quite separated 
from the pairs next them, and themselves 
slightly notched or serrated. The succeeding 
pairs of leaflets are less and less notched, and less 
separated from the outer pairs, until they finally 
blend in the point of the branch in the same way 
as the branches blend at the point of the frond. 
The same gradual process is observable in the 
upper branches or leaflets of the frond, the lobes 
on the lowest of these branches being divided 
down to the midrib at the base of the branch, 
and less divided towards its point. The fourth 
pair of branches or leaflets from the commence- 
ment of the rachis is deeply notched only : the 
next pair above less notched and less distinct, and 
so on until, as before explained, they all blend in 
a point. 
300 
