yellowish-green, both with a blue margin; scapes slender, nodding,
with a few large rosy bracts, terminating in a short drooping
spike. Winter. _l._ numerous, long, narrow, ensiform, remotely
spiny. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Brazil, 1868. See Fig. 252. (B. M. 6423.)
=B. pallescens= (pallid). _fl._ greenish-white; ovary deeply
grooved; spike pendulous; bracts lanceolate, of a beautiful
rose-pink. Winter. _l._ dark green, and spotted on the upper
surface, paler beneath, with transverse bars. _h._ 1-1/2ft.
Brazil, 1856. SYNS. _B. pallida_ and _B. Wioti_.
=B. pallida= (pale). Synonymous with _B. pallescens_.
=B. pyramidalis= (pyramidal). _fl._ red, with purple margin, in
erect spikes; bracts lanceolate, rosy. February. _l._ curved,
ligulate-lanceolate, with white bands beneath. _h._ 1ft. Peru,
1822. (B. H. 1873, 16.)
=B. Quesneliana= (Quesnel's).* _fl._ deep purple; bracts
flesh-coloured; upper ones variegated with white. _h._ 6ft. Guiana,
1874. An erect growing species, possessing the same habit as _B.
rosea-marginata_, but having the leaves more acuminate, and deep
green in colour. SYN. _Quesnelia rufa_. (F. d. S. 10, 1026.)
=B. rosea-marginata= (rose-margined).* _fl._, inflorescence a
dense oblong spike of light blue, subtended by large, broad,
deep, rose-coloured bracts, with scarious margins. January. _l._
sheathing at the base, about 2ft. long, channelled, spiny on the
margin, and marked with transverse mealy bands. _h._ 1-1/2ft.
Tropical America, 1880. SYNS. _B. rubro-marginata_ and _Quesnelia
roseo-marginata_.
=B. rubro-marginata= (red-margined). Synonymous with _B.
rosea-marginata_.
=B. Saundersii= (Saunders').* _fl._ about 2in. long, disposed in
a loose pendulous inflorescence; sepals crimson, half the length
of the petals, which are yellow outside and blue within. _l._
tufted, ligulate, rounded at the apex, terminated by a short
mucro, saw-toothed, green above, purple beneath, and spotted white
on both surfaces. Brazil, 1868. SYN. (according to Morren) _B.
chlorosticta_. (F. M. n. s. 106.)
=B. thyrsoidea= (thyrsoid). _fl._ dense, in thyrsoid spikes, almost
without bracts. June. _l._ green, ligulate, shortly acuminate, the
margin toothed. _h._ 1ft. Brazil, 1850. (B. M. 4756.)
=B. vittata= (striped). _fl._ indigo blue, with crimson calyces and
bracts; racemes nodding. _l._ banded, ligulate, elongate, shining.
_h._ 1-1/2ft. Brazil, 1843. (B. H. 1871, 14, 15.)
=B. Wioti= (Wiot's). Synonymous with _B. pallescens_
=B. zebrina= (zebra-streaked).* _fl._ greenish; scape clothed with
large, pale, salmon-coloured bracts; inflorescence gracefully
curved downwards. Early spring. _l._ sheathing for about half their
length, forming thus a sort of tube, deep green, with zones of
grey, the whole deepening with age. _h._ 1-1/2ft. South America,
1826. SYN. _Helicodea zebrina_. (L. B. C. 1912.)
=BILOBATE.= Two-lobed.
=BINATE.= In pairs.
=BINDING.= The process of securing a graft or bud in its place by means
of Raffia or Bast. The same term is applied to hard clay or other soil
impervious to water, in summer.
=BINDWEED.= _See_ =Convolvulus=.
=BIOPHYTUM= (from _bios_, life, and _phyton_, a plant; the leaves of
one species being sensitive to the touch). TRIBE _Oxalideæ_ of order
_Geraniaceæ_. A genus of pretty and interesting perennials, differing
from _Oxalis_, in which genus it has been included, in the valves of
the capsule being patent and separate to the base. They will thrive in
a mixture of loam and peat. Propagated by seeds, which should be sown
in spring, on a hotbed. Probably the only species in cultivation is the
following:
=B. sensitivum= (sensitive). _fl._ yellow, small. July. _l._,
leaflets oblong, obtuse, mucronate. _h._ 6in. India and China,
1823. The leaves of this plant contract on the slightest touch.
SYN. _Oxalis sensitiva_. (B. R. 31, 68.)
=BIOTA.= _See_ =Thuja=.
=BIOTIA.= _See_ =Aster corymbosus=.
=BIPARTITE.= Divided into two nearly to the base.
=BIPINNATE.= Twice pinnate.
=BIPINNATIFID=, or =BIPINNATIPARTED=. Having both primary and secondary
segments of a leaf divided, but not to the base.
=BIPLICATE.= Having two folds or plaits.
=BIRCH.= _See_ =Betula=.
=BIRD-CHERRY.= _See_ =Cerasus Padus=.
=BIRDLIME.= A preparation made from Mistletoe berries and Holly bark.
It is used for catching birds.
=BIRD-PEPPER.= _See_ =Capsicum baccatum=.
=BIRDS.= As a class, Birds are very much more useful than hurtful in
gardens. Owls are of great use in catching mice, and Night-jars in
catching night-flying insects. Rooks are very useful in lessening the
numbers of wire-worms, and of hurtful insects in general; but, if very
numerous, they may be driven to eat potatoes and other vegetable food,
and may then do harm. The same may be said of Starlings. Blackbirds
and Thrushes feed much on snails and worms, but they also feed on the
ripe fruits in gardens. As a rule, slender-billed birds feed almost
wholly on insects or other animals, and are to be encouraged in gardens
at all seasons. Among these may be enumerated the Tree-creeper,
Wryneck, Warblers, and Wrens of various kinds, Chats, Hedge-sparrow,
Larks, Redstart, Robin, Titmice, and Wagtails. Swifts, Swallows, and
Martins, are also great destroyers of insects. The Finches feed, in
part, on insects, but also eat large quantities of seeds, and often do
considerable damage among plants grown for seed, _e.g._, Cabbages, and
in the seed-beds. Sparrows are about the most troublesome, though they
are often assisted by Buntings, Chaffinches, Linnets, and others. When
seed-beds or fruits have to be protected, this may be done by nets; or,
more simply, by threads tied to sticks a few inches above the surface
of the ground, or in front of the trees.
=BIRD'S-EYE PRIMROSE.= _See_ =Primula farinosa=.
=BIRD'S-FOOT.= _See_ =Ornithopus=.
=BIRD'S-FOOT FERN.= _See_ =Pellæa ornithopus=.
=BIRD'S-NEST FERN.= _See_ =Asplenium Nidus=.
=BIRTHWORT.= _See_ =Aristolochia=.
=BISCUTELLA= (from _bis_, double, and _scutella_, a saucer; in allusion
to the form of the silicles). Buckler Mustard. ORD. _Cruciferæ_.
Perennial or annual herbaceous plants, usually hispid, but sometimes
downy or smoothish. Flowers yellow, scentless; pedicels filiform,
bractless. Leaves oblong, entire, toothed or pinnatifid, somewhat
radical or cauline. Stems round, erect, usually corymbosely branched at
the top by racemes, which, when in flower, are short, but elongated at
the time of fruiting. All the species produce seeds freely. The annuals
should be sown in the open borders. Some of the perennial kinds are
well adapted for ornamenting rockwork, in a dry, sunny situation. Of
the annuals, _columnæ_, _lyrata_, _maritima_, and _obovata_, are best.
Of the perennials, _coronopifolia_, _lævigata_, and _sempervirens_ are
the most desirable, but none are worth cultivation outside botanical
collections.
=BISERIAL=, or =BISERIATE=. Arranged in two parallel rows.
=BISERRATE.= Toothed in a saw-like manner, but with the primary teeth
again serrated.
=BISULCATE.= Doubly furrowed.
=BITERNATE.= Twice ternate.
=BITTER ALMOND.= _See_ =Amygdalus communis amara=.
=BITTER APPLE.= _See_ =Cucumis Colocynthis=.
=BITTER-SWEET.= _See_ =Solanum Dulcamara=.
=BITTER VETCH.= _See_ =Orobus=.
=BITUMINOUS.= Clammy, adhesive.
=BIVONÆA= (named after Antonio Bivona-Bernardi, a Sicilian botanist,
author of "Sicularum Plantarum Centuria I. et II.," Palermo, 1806).
ORD. _Cruciferæ_. A pretty little monotypic genus, well adapted for
ornamenting rockwork or the front of flower borders. A dry sandy soil
is most suitable for its culture. Propagated by seeds, sown in spring
where the plants are intended to remain, thinning-out being necessary
to ensure full growth.
=B. lutea= (yellow).* _fl._ yellow, small; racemes terminal,
elongated as they grow; pedicels filiform, bractless. April.
_l._ alternate, lower ones stalked, the rest sessile, cordate,
stem-clasping at the base, ovate, toothed, bluntish. Stem filiform,
sparingly branched. _h._ 3in. to 6in. Sicily, 1823. An annual.
=BIXA= (its South American name). Arnatto. ORD. _Bixineæ_. Stove
evergreen trees, with dichotomous panicles of large reddish flowers,
broad cordate leaves, and prickly capsules. A compost of loam and peat
is well adapted to their culture. Propagated by seed, sown when ripe in
bottom heat; or by cuttings, which root freely in sand, under a hand
glass, in heat; the latter is the better method. If grown from seed,
the trees attain a large size before they flower; whereas cuttings,
taken from a flowering plant and struck, may be brought to flower when
small plants.
=B. Orellana= (Orellana). _fl._ pale peach-coloured; corymbs
terminal, panicled; peduncles two, three, and four-flowered. May to
August. _l._ cordate, ovate, acuminated, entire or angular, smooth
on both surfaces. The drug called Arnatto is prepared from the
red pulp which covers the seed of this species. It is used in the
preparation of chocolate, and by farmers for colouring cheese, and
also as an orange or yellow dye for silks. _h._ 30ft. West Indian
Islands, 1690. See Fig. 253. (B. M. 1456.)
=BIXINEÆ.= An order of smoothish tropical trees or shrubs, not
remarkable for any particular beauty. Flowers with or without petals,
when present five and sepal-like; stamens indefinite in number,
inserted in the receptacle or at the bottom of the calyx; peduncle
axillary or terminal, bracteate, one or many-flowered, usually forming
terminal panicles. Fruit fleshy or dry. Leaves alternate, simple,
entire, or slightly lobed, generally full of pellucid dots. The genera
best known are _Azara_, _Bixa_, and _Flacourtia_.
[Illustration: FIG. 253. FLOWERING BRANCH OF BIXA ORELLANA.]
=BLACK BEARBERRY.= _See_ =Arctostaphylos alpina=.
=BLACK BEETLES.= _See_ =Cockroaches=.
=BLACK BRYONY.= _See_ =Tamus communis=.
=BLACK BULLACE.= _See_ =Prunus insititia=.
=BLACKBURNIA.= _See_ =Xanthoxylum=.
=BLACK FLY or BEAN FLY= (_Aphis rumicis_), also called Collier and
Black Dolphin. This Fly (see Fig. 254) is found on many herbaceous
plants. It is very injurious to Beans; hence, immediate means of
destruction must be employed directly the insect appears. Its
extermination is an extremely difficult matter; but the following
remedies are very effectual:
_Tobacco Water._ This, made and applied as recommended for Aphides
(which _see_) is a good remedy; but it is rendered more certain by the
employment of soapsuds, instead of clear water, in its manufacture.
[Illustration: FIG. 254. THE BEAN FLY. _a_, Female, magnified; _b_,
Male, natural size, and magnified.]
_Paris Green_ (Arseniate of Copper). Owing to its poisonous nature,
this should not be used where there is fruit on the trees or vegetables
under them; but there is no better destroyer of hard-dying insects.
Its application is very simple. Mix 1lb. of the green with 30gals. of
water, and well wet the infested parts of the trees, using a fine-rosed
watercan or garden engine for the purpose. The operator's hands should
be free from sores and scratches, or dangerous ulcerations may ensue.
_Gas Liquor._ If this can be obtained from a gas-house, it should be
diluted with twice its bulk of water, and applied in the same manner
as Paris Green, being washed off with clean water in a few hours. If
the process be repeated on two or three consecutive nights, it will
be found certain in its effects; moreover, it is not very poisonous.
The finger or thumb, or the Aphis brush, applied early, will often
exterminate these obnoxious insects at once. The first of the methods
above described is perhaps the most accessible and the safest to
use. Poisonous insecticides are more or less dangerous, especially
in the hands of the inexperienced. Black Fly is, however, one of
the most difficult insects to eradicate, especially if allowed to
multiply. A syringing of clean water should follow either of the above
applications. _See also_ =Aphides=.
=BLACK JACK OAK.= _See_ =Quercus nigra=.
=BLACK MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT.= _See_ =Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum=.
=BLACK PINE.= _See_ =Pinus austriaca=.
=BLACKTHORN.= _See_ =Prunus spinosa=.
=BLACK VARNISH TREE.= _See_ =Melanorrhœa=.
=BLACK WATTLE.= _See_ =Callicoma serratifolia=.
=BLADDER CATCHFLY.= _See_ =Silene inflata=.
=BLADDER KETMIA.= _See_ =Hibiscus Trionum=.
=BLADDER NUT.= _See_ =Staphylea=.
=BLADDER SENNA.= _See_ =Colutea=.
=BLADDER WORT.= _See_ =Utricularia=.
=BLADE.= The lamina or expanded part of a leaf.
=BLÆRIA= (named after Patrick Blair, M.D., F.R.S., who practised
medicine at Boston, in Lincolnshire, and was author of "Miscellaneous
Observations," 1718; "Botanic Essays," 1820, &c.). ORD. _Ericaceæ_.
Pretty little greenhouse evergreen shrubs, natives of Southern and
Tropical Africa. Flowers terminal, glomerate; corolla short-tubular,
with a four-cleft limb, very freely branched. Leaves verticillate, with
revolute margins. For culture, _see_ =Erica=.
=B. articulata= (jointed).* _fl._ reddish; heads drooping. May.
_l._ four in a whorl, ovate or linear, glabrous, and shining;
bracts solitary. _h._ 1ft. 1795.
=B. ericoides= (Heath-like). _fl._ purplish-red. August. _l._ four
in a whorl, oblong, obtuse, ringed; bracts three, length of the
calyx. _h._ 2ft. 1774. SYN. _Erica orbicularis_. (L. B. C. 153.)
=B. purpurea= (purple). _fl._ purple; heads drooping. June. _l._
four in a whorl, ovate, sub-ciliated. Stem flexuous, erect. _h._
2ft. 1791.
=BLAKEA= (named after Martin Blake, of Antigua, a great promoter of
useful knowledge). ORD. _Melastomaceæ_. Handsome stove evergreen shrubs
or trees. Flowers red, large, showy; peduncles axillary, terete,
one-flowered, naked, opposite or solitary, shorter than the leaves,
usually with brown tomentum. Leaves petiolate, three to five-nerved,
coriaceous, glabrous above and shining, but usually densely clothed
with rusty tomentum beneath. They thrive well in peat, or a mixture
of loam and peat, and require to be liberally supplied with water,
particularly in spring and summer. Cuttings root freely if taken from
shoots that are quite ripe (otherwise they are apt to rot), planted in
a pot of sand, and plunged in a moist heat, under a hand glass.
=B. quinquenervia= (five-nerved). _fl._ flesh-coloured, large,
with white disks; peduncles twin, shorter than the petioles. June.
_l._ elliptic, acuminated, naked, and shining on both surfaces,
five-nerved. _h._ 10ft. to 16ft. Guiana, 1820. (A. G. 210.)
=B. trinervia= (three-nerved). _fl._ rose colour, large; peduncles
solitary, longer than the petioles. June. _l._ oval-oblong,
three-nerved, glabrous and shining on both surfaces in the adult
state, and when young serrulated; petioles and branchlets clothed
with rusty tomentum. Roots issuing from the branches and stems.
_h._ 4ft. to 8ft. Jamaica, 1789. (B. M. 451.)
=BLANCHING.= This process is effected for the purpose of obtaining
crispness, and for converting what would, under ordinary circumstances,
be a dangerous plant--in the case of Celery especially so--into a
highly popular delicacy. Blanching can only be accomplished by entirely
excluding the light from the plants, thus depriving the colouring
matters of their power to decompose water and carbonic acid gas. It is
also termed Etiolation.
=BLANDFORDIA= (named after George, Marquis of Blandford). ORD.
_Liliaceæ_. A very beautiful genus of greenhouse bulbous plants,
natives of Australia. Flowers solitary, on recurved pedicels; perianth
funnel-shaped, six-cleft; stamens six. Leaves linear, elongate,
striate; radical ones dilated, and somewhat sheathing at the base;
others shorter and more distant, appearing on the flower-stem. The best
soil in which to grow them is loam and peat in equal proportions, with
a little rough silver sand added. They should be repotted moderately
firm in the autumn, allowing good drainage, and should then be placed
under the greenhouse stage, or in any other position where they will
be free from water drippings. Water must only be given when dry, until
they commence to grow, when it may be gradually increased, and they
may be introduced into a higher temperature, if necessary, there to
remain till after flowering. When the foliage is ripened off, they may
be stored away until the time for repotting. Propagated by seeds and
offsets, or by division of the old plants, which must be done when
repotting.
=B. aurea= (golden).* _fl._ 1-1/2in. to 2in. long; scape bearing
an umbellate cluster of three to five pure golden-yellow drooping
bell-shaped flowers. Summer. _l._ narrow, linear, keeled or
channelled, from the base of which the flower-scape arises. _h._
1ft. to 2ft. New South Wales, 1870. (B. M. 5809.)
=B. Cunninghamii= (Cunningham's).* _fl._ rich coppery red, the
upper part yellow; about 2in. long, bell-shaped, pendulous; from
twelve to twenty, terminating in a stout scape 3ft. high. June.
_l._ linear, slightly keeled at the back, about 1/3in. broad. New
South Wales. This magnificent species should have a little charcoal
mixed with the soil already mentioned. (B. M. 5734.)
=B. C. hybrida= (hybrid). _fl._ red, margined with clear yellow,
bell-shaped, in a dense drooping umbel.
=B. flammea= (fiery).* _fl._ dullish yellow, in dense umbel-like
clusters; bracts ovate-lanceolate, stiff; perianth inversely
conical. June. _l._ linear, bluntly keeled. _h._ 2ft. Australia,
1849.
=B. f. elegans= (elegant).* _fl._ crimson, tipped with yellow,
large, funnel-shaped. Summer. _l._ long, linear-ensiform. This very
handsome form is often taken for the type.
=B. f. princeps= (magnificent).* _fl._ rich orange-red externally,
and bright yellow within, about 3in. long, tubular, borne on a
scape about 1ft. high, slightly pendulous, and arranged near the
summit. Summer. _l._ stiff, sub-erect, long, bright green, disposed
in a distichous manner. This is a very splendid greenhouse plant,
and should be in every collection. Australia, 1873. SYN. _B.
princeps_. See Fig. 255. (B. M. 6209.)
=B. grandiflora= (large-flowered).* _fl._ crimson, very large;
bracts as long as the pedicels, the inner much the shortest. July.
_h._ 2ft. New South Wales, 1812. (B. R. 924.)
=B. intermedia= (intermediate). _fl._ yellow, pendulous,
funnel-shaped, in sixteen to twenty-flowered racemes; bracts
leaf-formed. September. _l._ channelled, acutely keeled, scabrous
on the margins. _h._ 1-1/2ft. Australia.
=B. marginata= (margined). _fl._ orange-red, conical, in long
pendulous racemes; bracts narrow, foliaceous, about equalling in
length the pedicels. July. _l._ stiff, sub-erect, with scabrous
margins. _h._ 2ft. Tasmania, 1842. (B. R. 31, 18.)
=B. nobilis= (noble).* _fl._ orange with yellow margins, on long
pedicels, drooping, disposed in a terminal raceme; bracts twice as
short as the pedicels. July. _l._ very narrow. _h._ 2ft. New South
Wales, 1803. (B. M. 2003.)
=B. princeps= (magnificent). Synonymous with _B. flammea princeps_.
=BLATTA.= _See_ =Cockroaches=.
=BLEABERRY.= _See_ =Vaccinium Myrtillus=.
=BLEACHING POWDER.= _See_ =Chloride of Lime=.
=BLECHNUM= (from _Blechnon_, the Greek name of a fern). ORD. _Filices_.
A very attractive genus of stove and greenhouse ferns, thriving in
a compost of peat, leaf soil, and loam. Sori linear, continuous, or
nearly so, parallel with, and usually contiguous to, the midrib.
Involucre distinct from the edge of the frond. Fronds uniform,
generally pinnate or pinnatifid. Veins usually free. For general
culture, _see_ =Ferns=.
=B. australe= (southern).* _cau._ stout, creeping, scaly; _sti._
erect, 4in. to 6in. long. _fronds_ 9in. to 18in. long, and from
2in. to 3in. broad, lanceolate, narrowed towards both ends; pinnæ
numerous, the barren ones 1in. to 1-1/2in. long, 1/4in. to 3/8in.
broad, linear, hastate-cordate, or auricled at the base, especially
on the upper side, with a very coriaceous texture; fertile pinnæ
narrower. _sori_ in a continuous or slightly broken line, close,
but not contiguous, to the midrib. South Africa, &c., 1691.
Greenhouse species.
=B. boreale.= _See_ =Lomaria Spicant=.
=B. braziliense= (Brazilian).* _cau._ erect, stout,
sub-arborescent, 1ft. or more long, densely clothed at the crown
with dark brown scales. _sti._ short, stout, densely scaly.
_fronds_ oblong-lanceolate, 2ft. to 4ft. long, 6in. to 16in.
broad, narrowing downwards very gradually; pinnæ close, linear,
4in. to 8in. long, 1/2in. to 3/4in. broad, narrowed gradually
towards the point, finely toothed or undulated, connected at the
base. Brazil and Peru, 1820. See Fig. 256. (H. S. F. 3, 157.) There
is a very pretty variety met with in gardens under the name of
_Corcovadense crispum_, which is not quite so strong-growing as the
type, with wavy, crispy edges. They will all thrive in the cool of
a stove fernery.
[Illustration: FIG. 255. BLANDFORDIA FLAMMEA PRINCEPS.]
=B. cartilagineum= (cartilaginous). _cau._ oblique, densely scaly
at top. _sti._ strong, erect, 4in. to 6in. long, scaly, muricated
in the lower part. _fronds_ ovate-oblong, 2ft. to 3ft. long, 6in.
to 12in. broad; pinnæ numerous, linear, 4in. to 6in. long, about
1/2in. broad, narrowed gradually towards the point, margin finely
toothed, dilated, and connected at the base. _sori_ in a broad line
close to the midrib. Temperate Australia, 1820. Greenhouse species.
=B. hastatum= (halbert-shaped).* _rhiz._ short, stout, scaly.
_sti._ 4in. to 6in. long, nearly naked. _fronds_ from 9in. to
18in. long, and 2in. to 4in. broad, lanceolate, with twenty to
forty pinnæ on each side; the barren ones 1in. to 1-1/2in. long,
lanceolate, falcate, narrowed gradually to a point, the lower side
slightly truncate, and slightly lobed, the upper cordate, with
a large hastate auricle; fertile pinnæ narrower. _sori_ midway
between the midrib and margin; rachis and surfaces naked or
slightly pubescent; texture coriaceous. Temperate South America,
1841. Greenhouse species.
[Illustration: FIG. 256. BLECHNUM BRAZILIENSE.]
=B. Lanceola= (lance-leaved). _rhiz._ slender, creeping,
stoloniferous. _sti._ slender, erect, 2in. to 4in. long. _fronds_
lanceolate, undivided, 4in. to 6in. long, 1/2in. broad, or less,
narrowed gradually from the centre towards each end. Tropical
America, 1820. Stove species.
=B. L. trifoliatum= (three-leaved). _fronds_ furnished with one or
two pairs of small oblong-obtuse lateral pinnæ at the base of the
large terminal one. Stove variety. (H. S. F. 3, 94.)
=B. longifolium= (long-leaved).* _rhiz._ slender, creeping. _sti._
firm, erect, nearly naked, 6in. to 12in. long. _fronds_ 6in. to
9in. long, with a terminal pinna, and three to six lateral ones
on each side, which are 3in. to 5in. long, and 1/2in. broad,
narrowed gradually towards the point. _sori_ in broad lines close
to the midrib; texture coriaceous. Tropical America, 1820. _B. l.
fraxineum_ is a variety found in gardens under the name of _B.
fraxiniifolium_, with a habit more close than the type; pinnæ
six to eight on a side, sometimes 1in. broad. _B. intermedium_
(Link.) and _B. gracile_ (Kaulf.), often seen in gardens, are
slender-growing varieties of this rather variable stove species.
=B. nitidum= (shining).* _sti._ stout, erect, naked, 3in. to 4in.
long. _fronds_ oblong-lanceolate, 1ft. or more long, 4in. to 6in.
broad; pinnæ numerous, sub-falcate, linear, 3in. to 4in. long,
1/4in. to 1/2in. broad, narrowed gradually towards the point,
dilated and connected at the base; edge undulate-dentate; texture
coriaceous; both surfaces smooth. Stove species. The variety
_contractum_, often seen in gardens, has its pinnæ contracted, and
the edge much undulated. Brazil. (H. S. F. 3, 55.)