Povtion of mature Frond - under side.
ADIANTUM HISPIDULUM.
SwAKTz. M o o r e a n d H o u l s t o n . R. B r o w n . K u n z e .
J. S.wiTii . F e e . H o o k e r .
I 'L A T E X I I I .— A. VOL . I I I .
Adiantum pubescens, var. O f 80MB A u t h o r s .
Adiantum—Drju Hispidulitm—Hairy.
T h is p re tty dwa rf A d ia n tum is not so universally cultivated
as it deserves; occupying b u t little space, and a readily p ro curable
species from most of our principal N u rse rym en , are
recommendations, coupled with its distinct appearance and easy
cultivation, th a t should place this plan t in the greenhouses of
all F e rn growers.
Sir lYilliam Hooker considers the A d ia n tum pubescens as one
of the forms of A . hisjndulum; indeed, in looking over the
extensive h erbarium at Keiv, it does appear th a t every transition
from the p resent form to th a t of A . pubescens is there
included, in the fronds g a th e red in different countries and
localities. However, the more knoivledge Ave obtain of the
foreign F e rn s, the more are Ave impressed with the conviction
that our list of species is too much ex ten d ed ; in fact, it becomes
an exceedingly difficult matter, if n o t absolutely impossible,
Avherc to draAv the line betAveen species and varieties. Botani-
cally speaking, this is an important question, as it is one means
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