It makes little difference to a lover of plants whether the little beauty he admires is what a botanist calls a species, or only a variety. If they are distinct and lovely it is all the same. The two we now illustrate are Maiden Hair Ferns, that have been raised by florists, but are as well worthy of admiration as some of the undoubted species brought thousands of miles from foreign lands.

Adiantum rhodophyllum. Adiantum cuneatum deflexum.

Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea, near London, who have introduced them to the commercial world, furnish us with the following account of them:

Adiantum Cuneatum Deflexum

This neat little evergreen fern was raised by Mr. Bause, of Morland Nursery, South Norwood, from whom we have acquired the stock. The following is from Mr. Moore's description published in the Gardeners' Chronicle for December 8th, 1883. 'This goes far to support the ideas of those who believe in the crossing of ferns, whether the process is truly described by the term hybridization or not. It was raised between A. cuneatum and A. Bausei, the latter also a so-called hybrid fern. The characteristics of the two sorts are unmistakeably blended in the new form which has the densely fronded stocky growth of A. cuneatum with its spreading fronds and cuneate pinnules, with the singularly deflexed pinnules of A. Bausei; this hanging position of the pinnules gives the plant a very distinct appearance. The plants are dense and compact in growth, on which account they are well adapted for grouping in small baskets and jardinettes. Their bright and cheerful green color adds much to its Value as a decorative fern.'

Adiantum Rhodophyllum

A most distinct and beautiful Maiden Hair Fern allied to Adiantum scutum, also raised by Mr. Bause, from whom we have acquired the entire stock. It is far superior to A. scutum in its ornamental qualities. The fronds are densely crowded and attain a height of 15 to 18 inches; the stipes are very slender and erect; the leafy portion of the frond is bipinnate, deltoid in outline, and spreading. When first developed the young pinnules are crimson; they gradually change with age to a rosy fulvous green and finally to a soft pale green. In form the pinnules are fan-shaped, truncate on the basal side, very finely dentate and split on the outer margin; when mature they are an inch and a half across. " The remarkable diversity of colors presented by the pinnules at different stages of their growth, and which are all to be seen on the plant at the same time, renders this Adiantum one of the most effective decorative ferns yet offered. To this striking characteristic must also be added the compact habit of the plant and the elegant contour of its tufted fronds.

First-class Certificate from Royal Horticultural Society and Certificate of Merit from the Royal Botanical Society".