and seed, which appear like yellow spots. Capsules on long
slender pedicles, radiately spreading, horn-coloured.
We have ascertained the present species, by comparison of
Forster’s original specimens in Mr. Lambert’s Herbarium,
which were collected in New Zealand; the plant from which
our drawing was made, was growing at the Nursery of Mr.
Knight, in the King’s-road, where it was cultivated in the
Greenhouse, and had been raised from seed taken out of a
specimen brought from New Zealand: by this method numerous
species of Ferns may be raised, by shaking the seeds from
specimens received from abroad, and sowing them on pots of
earth in a shady part of the Hothouse or Greenhouse; when
first sown, they should not be covered with any soil, but a little
loose moss should be placed on the pots, till the seeds begin to
sprout; and as they become rooted in the earth, the moss must
be removed ; the mould in the pots must be kept pretty moist,
for if allowed to get very dry when the seeds are sprouting, it
would be apt to destroy them.
The present plant would doubtless succeed very well in a
sheltered border, so as to be covered a little in severe frosty
weather, as it only requires to be protected from intense frost;
or if protected by a spare frame in Winter, there would be no
danger of losing it: the species is nearly related to D. cana-
riensis, but is of much looser growth, and the segments of the
leaves are of a different form; the root is less scaly, and the
scales of a different colour.
The generic name was given by Sir J. E. Smith, in honour
of Edmund Davall, a Swiss Botanist.
1. Portion of the sterile Frond. 2. Point of the fertile F neate Involucre, with the Capsules protruded beyond it. 3. Carposnudle, esnhtoirwei,n sgu rtrhoeu cnnd-
ed by the elastic ring. 4. The same burst open. 5. Seed, all more or less magnified.