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Nephrodium (To the species and varieties)

To the species and varieties described on pp. 440-4, Vol. II., the following should now be added:

N. cristatum (crested). This resembles N. Filix-mas, but the fronds are less erect; the pinnae less regular; the segments broader, thinner, more wedge-shaped on the lower side, much more toothed, and the lower ones sometimes almost pinnatifid, the plant then forming some approach to N. spinulosum, from which it differs in the much narrower frond, with the segments much broader and much less divided. sori large, as in A. Filixmas, with a conspicuous indusium. Europe (Britain), &c. SYNS. Aspidium cristatum, Lastrea cristata.

N. c. floridanum (Florida). fronds thickish, broadly lanceolate, pinnate, 1ft. to 2ft. high; sterile ones shorter, growing in a crown from a thick, scaly rootstock. A vigorous form.

N. Hopeanum (Lieut. Hope's). sti. 1in. to 1 1/4in. long, grey, glossy, naked. fronds oblong-lanceolate, 1ft. long, 6in. to 7in. broad, bipinnatifid; pinnae distant, sessile, caudate, the lower ones 3in. to 4in. long, 5/8in. to 3/4in. broad, cut down to a narrow wing into ligulate-falcate, entire lobes 1/8in. broad; tip of frond like one of the pinnae; rachis grey, slightly pubescent. sori crowded close to the midrib; involucre firm, persistent. Polynesia, 1883. SYN. Lastrea Hopeana.

N. Jenmani (Jenman's). sti. stout, scaly, erect. fronds bipinnate, about 2ft. long and 9in. to 12in. broad, densely pelluciddotted. Jamaica, 1887. SYN. Lastrea Jenmani.

N. lepidum (pretty). sti. green, setose on the margins of the groove down the face. fronds ovate, acuminate; pinnae alternate, very shortly stalked, lanceolate, acuminate, pinnatifid, the central ones longest, glabrous, with hairy midribs and setose margins. sori placed near the midribs on each side, with inflated, roundish-reniform, lead-coloured, hairy indusia. 1886. An elegant Fern. SYN. Lastrea lepida.

N. mamillosum (nippled). This species closely resembles N. decurrens; but the pinnae are undivided, and the sori are so deeply immersed as to make the upper surface appear as if covered with minute nipples. Moluccas, 1886. SYN. Sagenia mamillosa (I. H. 1886, 598).

N. molle Sangwellii (Sangwell's). A graceful variety, of free growth, very ornamental for pots or for the rockery. 1884.

N. montanum Barnesii (Barnes'). fronds much narrower than in the type. A pretty variety.

N. m. coronans (crowned). A finely crested variety; the apex of the frond is developed into a large, crispy tuft, and the apices of the pinnae have smaller, roundish, crispy ones. 1882.

N. prolificum (prolific). fronds rigid, deltoid, bipinnate, deep green, gemmiparous in the axils of the segments and on the margins; pinnae rather distant, obliquely ovate-lanceolate, the posterior side most developed; pinnules unequal, but usually linear, acute, and somewhat falcate. sori numerous, large, reniform, distributed over the whole back of the frond, covered by prominent indusia. Japan, 1883. An interesting, hardy, evergreen Fern.

N. Richardsi multifida (much-cleft). A fine, free-growing, crested variety, useful for decorative purposes.

N. spinulosum dilatatum dentigera (tooth-bearing). fronds slender, lanceolate, 6in. to 8in. long; pinnules about 1in. long, ovate, acute, cut into two to four lobes, which have one or two short teeth. Inverness-shire, 1886. A neat and pretty variety, of dwarf habit.