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THE FERNS

GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

ву

„THOMAS MOORE, F.L.S.

EDITED BY

JOHN LINDLEY, Pr.D. F.R.S.

NATURE-PRINTED

HENRY BRADBURY

LONDON:
PUBLISHED BY BRADBURY AND ANS, WHITEFRIARS,

PREFACE.

ESTÁ VERYONE who Ма attempted to ascertain the name of в plant by comparing it with
о miero Bascho ia avaro её iho Qty of ng e EN EE
Bi Guitar it Qe одной language: of mienen tiui toss ¡any ES wi
Mp
24

9

| although admirers of delicate texture, beautiful colour, or graceful form, do not
p profess to be skilful Botanists, Even with the aid of drawings, investigation often

ү leads to no satisfactory result, in consequence of the inability of art to represent
7 faithfully the minute peculiarities by which natural objects are often best distinguished. If

ral it

(/ this is so with plants in ge

most especially true of Ferns, tho complicated б

} tender organisation of which bafle the most skilful and patient artist, who can only gi

the best an imperfect sketch. of wha

he supposes to be their more important features. And

herein lies the great defect of all pictorial representations. ‘The draughtsman can do no more than

delineate a part of what he sees; and whether he secs correctly what he delineates will at all times be
а matter of doubt, especially where, as in natural history, minute accuracy is indispensable. But if

minuto accu

1 importance in опе than another race of plants, it is most especially so

among Ferns, in the distinctions of which the form of indentations, general outline, the exact manner

in which repeated subdivision is effected, and most especially the distribution of veins scarcely visible

to the naked eye, Мау the most important part. To express such fa

¡cts with the necessary accuracy, the

art of a Talbot or a Daguerre was insufficient, nor could they be represented pictorially until
Naront-Prrvnixe was brought to its present state of perfection.

Attempts were long since made to obtain Botanical portraits by printing from the plants
themselves, flattened and otherwise prepared for the purpose. Ву this means impressions of leaves

were produced with some success, and even of small branches, Rude as the process was, and imperfect

the result, it was nevertheless found that the figures thus procured were far more characteristic tha

any which artists could produce, as was to be expected, indeed, from the absolute of the

representations as far as they went. No one who had ever seen a Rose-leaf could fail to recognise its

impression, or was likely to mistake it for that of an Ash-tree; and the more the impression was

studied, the more did the truth of all its details carry conviction to the mind. The fault of the method

consisted in its limited appli

ion, and its incompleteness.

‘The process of the Imperial Printing Office at Vienna, to which the name of Nature-Printing has
been happily applied, and to which the Work now offered to the public owes its origin, is a great
improvement upon the old method, inasmuch as it represents not only general form with absolute

accuracy, but also surface, hairs, veins, and other minuti of superficial structure by which plants are

п details of their internal organisation. Moreover

known irrespective of the hi an exact сор)

copper of the part to be represe jeet as

ted being employed by the printer, instead of so fragile an ol

the plant itself, we obtain the means of multiplying copies to the same extent as in copperplate

engraving ; and hence the method becomes suitable for purposes of publication. ‘The Germans have

ady availed themselves of the art, and with considerable success Von Heufler has published
a specimen of the Cryptogamous plants of the Valley of Arpasch,* some of the figures in which are
admirable representat nature ; and other works are announced as having made their appearance,
or being in preparation, in thé Austrian dominions.

PREFACE

Tt is in emulation of such continental efforts that the present Work has been prepared, with the

keable evidence what differences really exist among the Ferns whic

wild in Great Britain and Ireland. ‘These beautiful plants h
i able to establish upon solid

tion, and are nov so universally cultivated, that it has become most. 6

to expect from m

riptions or imperfect engravings. It is true that Nature-Printing has its defects as well as it
lvantages: it can only represent what lies upon the surface, and not the whole even of that, But, on
the other hand, its accuracy is perfect as far as it goes ; and in the case of British Ferns it goes far
nt tho forms of sori, these, orindusia, we must never

enough for all practical purpose

Iit fails to repr

a Fern is Adiantum

ге subjects of inquiry in the cab ye knows at a glance th

D

et The practi
illus Veneris not by looking to the underside of its leaves, and ascertaining the form of its indusium
or annulus, and the place occupied by the sori, but by its general manner of growth, the ramification of

N

its stipes, and the form of its leaflets all which Nature-Printing does sl

ш cannot be applied, are sufficiently pointed

ut by description al

the present Work at least, are in no need of delineation. It is not, indeed, too much to say that i

many other plants besides Ferns
ble ac
ndition of the larger on

dispensed with if it were p ires, or to describe by words, tho real

mpafed with the result of Nature-Printing,

forms and o i But, when e

botanical drawings are often little more than indifferent diagrams, It is related of the late John Gough
of Kendal, that, having become totally blind from small-pox when two years old, he so cultivated his
her se recognise by touch, smell, or taste, almost every plant within twenty miles of his

nativo pla ieved that good Naturo-Printing will convey to the eye the same class of positiv

impressions as those which were conveyed to the mind of Gough by other orga

ho present Work is supplied by Mr. Thomas Moore, whose little Handbook of British
Ferns is generally admitted to bo our best book on the subject. To a perfect nequaintance with this

a, Mr. M

part of our native F ore has shown that he adds correct views of nomenclature, and kn

of judgment which have induced inexperience

upon which the modern genera of Ferns hi 4. It may be, however, conceded

re been pr

importance with the form, or ab т presence of an indusium, or the di
lers of Pt

any such characters to the distinction of

ction in which it separates

which the foun

But in the application о mera, somethi

than а mere perception of facts ; it is no less necessary that the Botanist should possess a power ог

combining and generalising, as well as of observing, and that ho should consult his judgment as we

his eyesight, When this is ne tho value of characters is misunderstood, every sj

enus, and natural history is resolved into its elem

isolated unconnected facts t

ilfal combinations, and what should be the perfection of arrangement be farrago of desultory

pinions, It is believed that the present Work will be free from faults of this К

and that the Author

while he avails him

Jf of all circumstances which can assist in the distinction of what requires to be

"The duty of the waiter of these remarks extends litle boyond a general supervision of the Work
it passes thro
Nature-Prin

ме prepar

The labour and honour of this the first English attempt at applying

anical Science rest with Mr. Henry Bradbury, under wh

Thomas Mo

е, who selects the specimens to bo figured, and is responsible for the

Aeron Оман, March 2, JOHN LINDLEY

AUTHOR’S PREFACE.

and Ireland have been produced, bei

adverted to in another page, it is unnecessary

here to allude to them, further than to point out the fidelity with which the outline

of the specimens is reproduced; and also how admirably the peculiarities of the

vascular structure—which is of real importance in the classification of this family

—aro represented by Nature-printing, The process itself has been described by
Mr. Henry Bradbury in

There is, however, one feature of the accompanying text, on which some explanation may be

lecture delivered before the Royal Institution.

desirable, in order ti

its obj

id intention шау not be misapprehended, Tt has been attempted to

record, and to give some account of the multitudinons vari

ions of the comparatively few species of

Ferns inhabitin:

these islands, which, even in so limited a geographical area as that of Great Britain
and Ireland, have been met with by diligent explorers within the very few years which have elapsed

since the love of Ferns has become so widely diffused as it now is. It will be apparent, from the

subordinate position assigned to them, that no botanical importance is claimed for most of the forms
thus enumerated ; but the object of recording them has been two-fold

In the first place they have been specially noticed for the purpose of affording aid to those Fe

admirers, including not a few of the gentler sex and of high estate, who derive such agreeable recreation

as that afforded by Natural History studies, in seeking and finding, in collecting, and in cultivati

the species of Ferns, prolifie of varied forms, and which for the most part have to be sought amidst
P р

enchanting rural scenery, where both mind and body derive benefit from the pursuit, Such

students of Nature have a right to whatever assistance they may draw from records like the present

and it is for their special behoof that the varieties we have had occasion to notice have been mentioned

under distinctive

We believe, however

at the long series of variations enumerated, have a bo

ical significance

and it is this, in the second place, which has led us to notice them with some particularity. They are

not indeed, in many instances, objects which the general bo

anist can attempt to keep separate under

disti

¡ct names even as varieties ; those only which are most prominently placed having this importance

claimed for them, But they are undoubtedly links in the chain of evidence which may direct him to the

conclusion that species have a wider range of form, even within narrow geographical limits, than many

nists are willin

to admit, They may also teach him that the va

ions of different plants of

admitted specific rank, often serve to connect the individuals into a series so extended, that spec

themselves thus become things of doubtful import, and of uncertain limit. "his lesson, again surely

leads to the conclusion that species are mere groups of individuals associated by the Naturalist for his

own convenience and that of others, just as genera are groups of the so

called species collected to

with the same end in view. ‘The fact that such closely allied series of forms which would ordin;

be referrible to several species admitted to be distinct but which for this very reason cannot be

absolutely defined, and the total failure of all attemp

to explain practically what a speci int

forcibly, if no bly, to the conclusion that Nature acknowl mly individuals, and that

а species is а thing of man’s contrivance, and hence has only an artificial value

Apart from this consideration, another obtrudes itself. Admitting the existence of species, whether

AUTHOR'S PREFACE

natural or artificial in character then, if in a small arca like th
me much more

often marked, and usually constant in character occur, the variations must b

iid extensive

numerous and marked, if the sp spread, as often happens, over widely separated
portions of the globe, It may safely be concluded from this further view of the s that an infinity
of species, founded on slight differences and often on the nero fact тірегі separation, are thus
thrown open to doubt, or at once reduced to mere local variations. Many apparently genuine species

also, thus become broken down and amalgamated һу the discovery of connecting varieties, it may be, at
their antipodes, The number of apparently good species so-called which thus become disturbed by th

atural difusion and variation le vegetable types from any intelligible centre of creation,
which in that caso would bo a necessary assumption—and all such conjectures as to origin aro mere
sumptions and an affectation of being wise above that whi itten —become a serious obstacle

in the way of continuing to hold faith in th

One object of enumerating tho varieties of British Ferns then, has been to prove, that so-called

species do vary very much in our limited area ; and hence to draw the inferenco, sufficiently supported

indeed by facts, that they vary much more when a wider range is taken into account; such a conclusion

being clearly unfavourable to the multiplication of species. It is to be remembered that the variations

often marked, and

here spoken of, though sometimes slight, are neverthele

the most part constant

and appreciable; by no means frequently ranging as mere monstrosities, but even then for the п

part permanent, and renewable from the spores—this latter fact probably affording incidental proof that

spores themselves aro in reality buds, and not at all analogous to seeds, and sug

16 only remains here to acknowledge the much assistance which has been afforded us in the

of our labours; all of which it is hoped п duly recorded. Our thanks are however

Шу due to Sir W. J. Hooker, for the facilities afforded by ready access to his valuable Herbarium

in tracing the geographical range of the species; to Dr. Lindley, for his careful supervision; and to.

Mx. б. В. Wollaston, for his valuable notes on varieties,

SYNOPTICAL TABLE OF THE PLATES,

POLYPODIACEJE.— Ferns with circinato vernation ; their sporo-cases girt with a jointed

bursting by an irregular fissure,

Porxeonrez ога лов Forns ; sori roundish, naked, s non-indusiate.

Se Armin)
Атил. оса базне! Forns; sori rounds, ініні ie, covered by а scalo, dorsal on tho veins,

хххү. a
XXXVI, XXXVI
xus

A

BLECHNE.-Dorsal-rited Ferns ; sori indusate linear intramarginal.

PrERIDEZ.-Dorsl-ruitel Ferns; sori indusiate linear, marginal.

SYNOPTICAL TABLE OF THE PLATES.

Weonezzas Dora

OSMUNDACEAE.—Ferns with circinate vernation ; their spore-cases without а
ring, two-valved.

OBHIOGLOSSACEZ.—Ferns with pliente vernation ; their spore-cases without a jointed

Prares LLL Ш.
THE COMMON POLYPODY (Рогурорпм vULGARE).

POLYPODIUM, Linneus.

wing from the back of the veins

disunited at their extremities, their branches

or nearly so, Ve
simple, forked or rarely pinnate

ds deeply pinnatifid, lincar-oblong or ovate-oblong acuminate; the

P. VULGARES fr
ar-oblong, bluntish or acute, obs

ur. SEMILACERUX. pinnatifid and fertile a below; lobules

sar, acute, serrate

Yar. CANERIEUN; fron », bipinnatifid throughout; lobules erowded, linear or

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
Рази т и таван А, т.м. В, rom wall м Мети, Semey; ТОШ 0,

THE COMMON POLYPODY

Rhizome creeping, tortuous, branched,

lanceolate, very much acuminated, crowded, at length deciduous, leaving

smooth and greenish, Fibres b tomentose, densely matted over the surface. t
rhizome is fixed

Stipes variable, often nearly or quite as long as the frond, sometimes much shorter, as well as the
rachis rooved in front, naked, at the base articulated with the rhizome

Vernation eircina

Frond from two to eighteen inches long, lateral to the rhizome, subcoriaceous, of

green, paler beneath ; varying in outline from triangular-ovate when small, to ovate-oblong and linear
oblong, the latter being the fully developed condition of t jes in its normal state ; very deeply
less drooping. Lobes or segments linear-oblong, parallel, flat, bluntish or

pinnatifid, usually mor

and more crowded or confluent ne mes terminates abruptly, but is usually

the branches (тейи) are again branched, producing from three to five alternate branchlets

Fructifcation on the back of the frond, usually confined to its upper part, the sorus originating at the

apex of the veinlot ; at first a naked depressed scarcely visible spot, and from the earliest period at
which it becomes visible quite destitute of any membranous cover, or indusium. Sori or clusters of
spore-cases circular, rarely somewhat oblong, quite exposed, arranged in a linear series on each side th
midvein; at first distinet, often crowded and finally confluent, Spore-eases yellow or orange of various
hades, becoming tawny, numerous, h a slender stalk of elongated cells, Spores yellow
muriculato or corrugate, oblong or kidney-shaped

Dur The rhizome is perennial, The fronds are produced about the end of May, and are

persistent through the winter and until after new fronds are produced, ко that the plant is evergreen

& Other fronds are produced later in thi

‘This common plant is the type of the Linnean genus Polypodium. ‘There are certainly no grounds

other than the fancies of name-makers by season of which that

nus should be abolished, altho

or its reduction by divesting it of ill-assorted species. We cannot therefor

writers who, adopting the name used for

ional distinction by Blume and Pres,

wo dium. Wha
over additional names the introduction of modern syste assiication may render necessary, it i
clearly not permissible that tho names of type species of bond fide established genera, where these can
Бе recognised, as in this caso, should be wantonly remodelled, Those who are easily led either to mak,

or to adopt changes of this nature, should remember, that names are not the ultimat,

The common Polypody diffors essentially from all the other British

having its fronds articulated with the rhizomo—that is, attached in such а manner that they t

taneously as they approach decay. Its texture, too, is stouter and firmer than that of the native
species which are allied to it by their fructification. In its normal form, it is, moreover, loss divided dan
they. "The small specimens produced! on walls, and in other dry exposed ріш Secu aad
but in situations where it grows with more vigour, the plant becomes dro

В.С olvpodium vulgare

> vulgare acutum. Ғ. P.vulgare bifidum.

THE COMMON POLYPODY

This Fern is easily cultivated, if light por

1, and the rhizomes aro kept on the surface of

the soil. When unnaturally planted deeply, or in stiff retentive soil, it dwindles and often eventually

perishes. Mr. Newman, apparently founding his opinion on the circumstance of its being frequently

met with growing on pollard trees, considers it to be of parasitical habit. This circumstance would,

however, give it only an epiphytal not a parasitic character; but as it is frequently found, fully as

Vigorous, growing among porous earth and on sandstone, these are all probably mere accidental condi

tions, the essential ones being constant moisture more or less in quantity, perfect drainage, and moderate

shade. It even exists in health naturally with little or none of some of these conditions about it, as

many an old wall bears evidence. It increases readily by dividing the bı

шеніне rhizom

There aro in this species many deviations from the typical form which has been already described;

but they

rather of importance to the horticultural enthusiast than to the

tanist : except in

as the latter may regard them as evidences of the manner in which, and the extent. to which, common

species are known to vary; and may hence learn to appreciate rightly the less familiar differences which

formation of the now

are found to exist amongst exotie species, 16 is, however, chiefly for the i

humerous class of Fern cultivators, most of whom take an interest in these variations, that they will

be enumerated hereinafter under distinguishing appellations.
Th

at form of the Common Polypody which differs in the least degree, albeit constantly, from the

state, has the ends of its lobes gradually tapering off to a narrow point, instead of being nearly
‘equal in width to the end, and there more or less blunt, A somewhat more diverse form has the points

of th

bes acute as in the Inst, but their margins are at the same time deeply notched, the notches
forming a series of coarse double serraturos. ‘This stato has sometimes a tendency to bifureation at the

tips of the lobes, and what is more remarkable, the sori are not unusually decidedly oblong, in which

respect it deviates from the generic type. Another slightly varying form has the ends of some or all of

the lobes di

with the divisions divaricate, so that the lobes become more or less manifestly two-
forked. Occasionally more than two points are developed to cach lobe, and we have thus an indication

of the nature of the tasselled apices which are common in some other species of Ferns,

Sometimes the fronds acquire breadth rather than length, assuming a broad

outline ; and this is occasionally accompanied by various degrees of marginal division in the primary

lobes, showing a transition towards the moro highly developed bipinnatifid varieties, semilaceram and

cambricum. "The most simple condition of this abbreviated and widened form, in which the apices аге

usually acute and the margins finely serrated, and which is almost or quite identical with the N
American plant called P. virginianum, and nearly so with the Madeira plant called 2. eunariense in
gardens, is apparently not common in this country, but. has been communicated from near Hereford by
Dr. Allchin. Tt is when deeply erenato-lobate, that this type of variation approaches the more highly

devel

ped or compound forms above alluded to ; this, too, sometimes varies with oblong sori

The Irish Polypody—P. vousane вюмп.дскпом—{зсе P

Lare TL), of whieh type there appears to be

some slight variations, and which, moreover, is not confined to Trelaud—has the

fronds irregularly bipin-

natifid, in this respect approaching the Welsh Polyp

ly ; but the latter is more regularly and univer

sally bipinnatifid, and is, likewise

ways barren, whilst the former is more or less fertile. ‘The fronds

are from a foot to а fi

and a half long, elongate-ovate, pinnatifid, in the lower part almost pinnate.

‘The primary lobes are narrow and deeply serrate at the base and apex, deeply pinnatifid about the

middle; the secondary lobes or lobules are linear, acute or bluntish, serrate 1

the frond, becoming shorter upwards, Along these lobules the vei

om the principal midvein

extend, and become branched, the branch

dividing into from two to three venules; in the other parts,

the veins are arranged similarly to those in luxuriant examples of the normal form. ‘The upper half

of the frond is fertile, and in this t ones

xtile portion the lobes are searcely subdivided, the upperm

ır erenato-serrate ; the development of the lobules, and of the sori, are conse

THE COMMON POLYPODY

quently not generally coincident on the same parts. T should also be mentio
parently when the vigour of the plant has received some chee ее
not with the one so named by Willdenow. - Our plant was found many yeu ue
been lately found in several stations by Dr. Allehin. In son оик 1 has; o ш
und at Postwich, in Norfolk (17, Hooker); at Saltw tle, in Kent (Ib. Gray) о У
Berry Pomeroy Castle, in Devon; at Tintern Abbey, and Chepstow Castle in Monmouth (70. Heard
Aberglashlyn, in Camarvonshire (7. AUehin); and elsewhere. Tt grows, moreover in Germany; at Ci
in Portugal; and wo believe the P. Fée, which is met with in Sardinia, Corsien, and Tener
to be a form of this Tis most beautifully developed state is that from the Dargle, and the abe
description is made from a remarkably fine specimen of that form, communicated by Mrs, Del
The Welsh Polypody—P. vuran: caumicun—(see Puare TIL) is, like the last, an extrem
elegant plant, but it is almost rile. The fr regulary bipinnatifd through
wine ovate or ovate-oblong. The lobes are rowed, narrow at the base, and acumina
divided into narrow linear or lincar-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, serrated, crowded lob
form, which is chiefly known as а garden plant, does not, we b wer produce fructiie
cultivation, and it is very rarely indeed t t. Tt has b nd
Montpelier, though originally in Wales—hen J. Lowe has communicated it from
wood near Macelosfcld, in Cheshire, Mr: E. Т. Bennett has favoured us with specimens from th
neighbourhood of Ross, in Herefordshire, which are almo 1 in structure with the Welsh plant
and others quite similar, gathered at the same time, are paringly fructifiod.
For the following enumeration of the various forms above mentioned, with ther abnormal
ones which are more or less constant, we have to express our thanks to Mr. G. В. Wollaston—whi
ame is well known among those familiar with British Ferns as that of one who collect у
success. These abnormal forms belong to two types of development: o "
ther than length, results in a frond of br tively short. To the first of these groups
belong the varieties numbered below fro ©; and the remaining numbers, 12 to 17
are referihle to the second
other to bear different names; but at t T in a stato of cul Е
wever, that is constant under all ances is the variet тарлы)
һе ends of the lobes narrowed gradually to а point — "c
acuto-lobed normal fum. А ا‎
3. bifidum has the lobos generally bitid or tvo-eeft, but some vm m
on tho lower third of the frond, sometimes reaching to two-thirds, and :
sory Mapa Te nda are tbn лш Tt вани
3. ramorum is a more fully developed. form of the foregoing, nd is often raided in the rac
which is and is furnished with lobes also bifid or multi. It is very тап

Er А | 1 0 li n \ T sel 1 а run B vulsare serratum.
Г T 5 DIVPoc ] 1 y бате se ace m. 4 A 5
NATI RE PRINT ING >

я
SNS е) A
У Жж
ХУ ЛЕДЕ,
ЖА ЙЫ,
HER

Y

1 WS
Р 4

NN

NATURE PRINTINC. А. Polypodium vulgare cambricum. B.P.vulgare crenatum..

THE COMMON POLYPODY

4. interruptum, as its name implies, has the lobes interrupted or irregular, sometimes two, three, or
four entirely wanting ; they are also irregularly bifid or multiid, or curiously laciniated ; the outline

of the frond is lincar-lanceolate, 4 е, normal. "This variety is rare

5. sinuatum is а form allied to the last named, but very distinct; the

lobes are beautifully

sinuous or waved, rarely divided at the apices as in interruptum, but irregularly lobate, the

bes sharply

serrate, It is a rare form, and under culture for some years, has proved permanent, ‘The fronds are of
the usual outline

6. laciniatum : in this variety the lobes are of

different lengths, and simply but irregularly
notched, and somewhat erisped or reflexed.

7. marginatum : this form of variation is occasional but rare in Polypodium, though fre

‚Seolopendrium. Its peeuliarity consists in the splitting of the epidermis on tlie margins of th
and in its reeeding, generally on the under side of the frond, towards the midvein; the lobes themselves.
are irregularly serrate, Otherwise the fronds are normal

8. serrulatum is a rare variety, having the teeth of the lobes minutely serrate; it has been

generally met with

ing on the trunks of trees. The plant is rather dwarf in habit, with fronds

of the normal outline ; and has for some years proved constant under cultivation. [It was found in
Devonshire by Mr. Wollaston:
9. multifidum is generally like the normal form, or the variety serratum, except that the apex of

the frond is bifid or multifid

10. auritum : the peculiarity of this variety consists in the lobes not being simply decurrent, but

forming a broad wing to the rachis; and the first lobules next Ше rachis on the upper margin (not, as

is more usual, the lower,) are greatly enlarged, formin

a kind of car, from which it takes its name

‘The outline of the fronds is norma

11. serratum ; the lobes in the most typical state of this form are sharply and deeply serrate ог

even biserrate along their margins, and the ар rather a common form of the species,
With fronds nearly of the usual outline, and with a tendency in the sori to become oblong. Tt varies,
however, with the fronds rather broader, and the teeth rounded and sometimes partially enlarged into
lobes, thus connecting this form with the variety crenatum.

12, denticulatum : this form has fr

nds less coriaceous than usual, of a broad oblong outline, abrupt

most lobes being scarcely shorter, and caudate at the apex ; all the lobes

re ascending,
4d distantly sharp-toothe

Tt was found near Hereford. Analog

ous forms occur in Portugal, and

orth America

13. oratum : this is allied to the last mentioned, but the fronds, which vary in size, are ovate rather

» oblong ; they are more coriaceous, with the lobes

nore obscurely toothed or erenelled ; the lower

most. lobes are horizontal, and the upper o

decrease in size, It seems to be common in Madeira

and the Azores; and has been gathered

y Dr. Allchin at Ballavaughan, in the west of Ireland,

14. erenatum : this is us

ly a large form, approaching semilueerum by its broad or ovate fronds,

and often, lobed segments, Те varies considerably ; in some instances approaching serratum ; in o

instances having the lobes more or less deeply and unequally erenate or erenato-lobate ; and sometimes

having

һе sori oblong, The notches of the lobes are rounded, not acute, as in serratum; and the lobes

themselves are in

ed or undulated. It is not common, but is found in

Kent, in Surrey, and in Wales ; the most m

rked examples being those from Saltwood found by Mr, Gray

and those from Conway found by Dr. Allehin, ‘The finest undulated form is a

ion plant of obscure
history, but one nearly identical and which will probably become quite so under cultivation was found

by Dr. Allehin at Mueruss, in Ireland.

15. truncatum 2 this is generally a more compound form, appro being

Ч or lobed, and the lobules minutely Dut in

the development of the frond is, from some unknown cau

THE COMMON POLYPODY

Prate IV

THE MOUNTAIN POLYPODY, or ВЕЕСН FERN
(Рогурорим PHEGOPTERIS).
POLYPODIUM, Linneus.

Clusters of Spore-cases circular, without covers, growing from the back of the veins,
terminal, or nearly so. Veins disunited at their extremities, their branches
(eenvies) simple, forked or rarely pinnate

P. Precorranis; fronds ovate-triangular, acuminate, pinnate below; pinnze lanceolate,
the lower pair distinct, sessile, usually deflexed, pinnatifid; lobules linear-oblong,
blunt; upper pinnæ confluent

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

Rhizome creeping extensively, branched, tough, slender, about the thickness of a straw, dark-brown,
pilose and sli

Шу scaly while you

is the older portions denuded both of scales and hairs Seales

lanceolate, golden-bi

wn, intermixed with other cobwebby hair-like ones, Fire numerous, much
branched, dark-brown, invested with golden-brown eobwebby deciduous pubescence

Stipes as long

s, or more frequently lo

r, and often much longer than the frond, erect, brittle,

pale-green, furnished near the base with a few lance

acuminate pale-brown scales which are soon
deciduous, and on the upper part with a few scattered subulate scales; the whole length clothed with

d hairs ; distant and lateral on the rhizome

Vernation circinate ; the pinna: rolled up separately towards the rachis, which is then rolled from
the point downward

Fronds from four to е

сеп or twenty inches in length, including the stipes, adherent to the

rhizome, membranaceous, of a dull pale-green, hairy, ovate-triangular.

much acuminate, pinnate below

P

he apex of the frond pinnatiñid. P

w deeply pinnatifid, linear-acuminate, nearly

THE. MOUNTAIN

ys, or when divided, th

hort distance from the edge of the lobule
| Fone on the back of the frond, scattered almost

in lines. Where the fructifieation is but parti

and often becoming conil

1, numerous, pale-brown. 55

rhizome is perennial, ‘The fronds are annual ; produced about May, and destroyed

1 This Fern is readily known fr it by it Hine, which ee СЕК я

|| The fronds in this specie lateral and distant on the underground rhizome, in e

| o rapid elon; nd they are adherent, that is to say, thei s is not furnished ny
|| EE eres Е се ва БЫН aede: Soom рејон

| to mark out generic group 1 cannot be permitted t chara by the
|||| tho fractifcaion, is that of ti J poston of do кез a м. Fée had |

BR
DE

PR

Polypodium Phegopteris.

Ридте У

THE SMOOTH THREE-BRANCHED POLYPODY,
or OAK FERN (Рогурорим Drvorreris).

POLYPODIUM, Linens,

Clusters of Spore-cases civeular, without covers, growing from the hack of the veins,

terminal, or nearly so. Veins disunited at their extremities, their branches

venudes) simple, forked or rarely pinnate

P. Davorremis; fronds pentangular-deltoid, ternate, smooth, membranaceous
pinnate ; pinnæ deeply pinnatifid (sometimes pinnate at the base); lo

pinnules) oblong, obtuse, erenate or pinnatifid-erenate ; stipes glabrous.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE,

Rhizome exe

ing extensively, branched, tough, slender, about the thickness of a straw, dark

brown—almost black, the younger portions sealy. Seat

les like those of the stipes, pale semi

transparent brown, lanecol

Fibres dark-brown, branched, apparently without pubescence
Stipes very much lo

than the fronds, frequently twice or thrice their length, erect, slender

brittle, tinged with purp

ind furnished near the base with a few scattered pale-brown lanceolate
deciduous scales, otherwise smooth and glabrous; lateral on the rhizome, and somewhat distant

Ra

his quite smooth ; that of the central branch deflexed, of the lateral

‚ches spreading.
Vernation ereinate ; the lateral and lower pair of branches rolled up separately from the remaining

central portion, so that the young fronds resemble, as Mr. Newman expre
wires at the top of the stipes

Fronds from four to twelve or fourteen in

in height, including the stipes, the leafy portion

averaging four or five inches ; adherent to the rhizome, delicately membranaceous, bright green, quite

smooth; in form deltoidly-pentangular, the pentagon being described by the points of the three

ANCHED T

THE SMOOTH THREE-DI

'OLYPODY

resa und йкес sf a: fro tasa paalo of ip pore tenn vidi aioe me EE
Ee e sis gus тынан ин Ana Lal Wy өседі М rw mar ді
о ots se suae y tho eration, Branch йым or mae DEN
Ph other слећу in thia, that while tho upper or central ono has liy sides пошу ea
шша] once have tho plano on thelr lowe side larger, eometimae tice an large as hood du the upper
0 that they ire obliquely triangular. Pinna opposite variable ойе from ovate io nes
la impu уйине И senta м well as зету eniro at 4
apex ; those of the central branch more decidedly pinnate t of the 1м nen. P
ot ober blong obtuse, crenata or cronato-obato,amaller and Jes divided towards the ap
Venation of the more compound, that is the erenato-lobate pinnules, consisting of а Пех
with alternate veins, one to each lobe, these veins pinnato-fureately branched, the t
Pructifoation on tho back of the frond, and spread over its whole surfaco. Sort small, circular
consisting of numerous crowded spore-cases quite uncovered, arranged in а linea xowded seri
along each side of tho pinnules near to but distinctly within the margin, the sori being seated s
distance below the apex of the venules, Sometimes the fronds are less abundantly fructified, and th
sori appear distant and senttered. Apore-cases small, d m, roundish-obovate, a қ
Duration. "The rhizome is per fronds are annual about April, and in
to dior. Tt can, however, hardly bo supposed that those who have seen tolerably good bot
would hesitate to admit their distinctness, P. Dryopteris differs from Р. Jt а havin 1
ling habit, while the fronds of the latter are rigid an vith alks and ribs, an
Aly the caso with the latter, although by a misapplication of term metin bod
Р. Dryopteris is decidedly three-branched, ав Па venation, compared to three little balls on slender
wires, certifies ; whilst in Р, Robertianum, as Mr. Newman well states, the th ling portio
globe, tho pinne rolled in on the Fachides, and the entire frond upon ite rachis, во that the frond is‘
ordinary Dipimnate structure, Of less Botanical importance perhaps, but equally, or still more clearly
available as distinguishing cha he perfect smoothness of Р. Di ompared with
Фе glandular pubescence of P. oberian, most readily seon on the stipes and. rachis, but equally
mark tho plants as abundantly distin
Most writers describo а cruciform бр g formed by the basal ріш Td
pine in Р. Dryopteris; and iti Me ic ETE RAS Ж

imens we have never seen it im any marked 4

pinnules (the upper pair) are smaller, and nearly parallel, w
divergent

‘This species is a moisture-loving plant, although, as in most
be stagnant. It is also peculiarly a shadeloving Fern; for

hado and shelter of some kind is afforded it. It is a

grows readily in pots. It increases with facility by division of th

ONS

“ay

6

> => =

3
DER

|

77

-—

BS Ze

SS ic

'olvpodium Dryopteris

Piare УІ

THE LIMESTONE POLYPODY (Pornyropmw овкктахим).

POLY PODIUM, Linnaeus.

Clusters of Spore-cases eireular, without covers, growing from the back of the veins,
7 growing n

terminal, or nearly so. Veins disunited at

heir extremities, their branches

(renules) simple, forked or rarely pinnate

P. Вовкаттактм, fronds erect, rigid
branches (or pinnao) bipinnate, stalked, their pinnulets (or lobulets) oblong obtuse
erenate or nearly entire ; the r

andulose, pontangular, deltoid, subternate ; lower

sessile ; stipes glandulose

EXPLANATION OF JHE PLATE.

Rh

creeping extensively, branched, thicker than а straw, dark-bn

wn, sealy, Seales pale

brown, semitransparent, lanceolate. Fives dark-brown, branched, clothed with a brighter brown

cobwebby pubescence

nt when young, becoming stift
and erect, abundantly s

ly about the base, and with a few scattered deciduous scales upwards when

ing, minutely glandular, pale watery-green, dulled by the glandulosity of the surface; lateral to the

rhizome, distinct, adherent, Rachie glandulose, the part formi

stalk to the lower pinnæ much
shorter, and distinctly smaller, than that between the first and second pairs of pinnae

Vernation cireinate ; the pinnules ro

ap separately into little globules, the pinnas then rolled cach
separate inwards towards the main rachis, which is next itself coiled up.

Fronds six to eighteen. inches in he

ight, including the stipes, whieh is usually more than half

Is at least, of the length ; егесі, of a firm herbaceous texture, deep dull grayish

von, glandulose, deltoidly-pentangular, but with the pentage

less manifest than in P. Dryopteris, in

consequence of the less comparative length of the stalks of the lower pinna. The fronds are not tr

hem а subternate appearance; they are

: | bliquely triangular, stalked, often bipinna
; " " "ud, die upper ones ell жемін, pinnata or. йола),
iu P И: 1 wer pair larger on the posterior

| intelligible, and though extensive is not unwieldy. Mr. Newman would seps from u hrec

plants above referred to, under the name of Gy pi

||| remarked, propose „uch earlier date a nearly correspon
]

| and о had adopted this group under the name of Prqupterie as а genus, in his admirabl
||| Fitcum, distinguishing it by a character which w
||| the rhizome, if constant, namely, that of having medial sori, or, in other words, the г

| which produce, at the same time, both medial and terminal sori, so that the character is not distinctiv
| The three species referred to possess, howew amon, a peculiarity of some importan ти
|| The chief differences be P. Robertianum and P; Dryopteris have been "uU

rhizome affords a ready me

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Prae УП.

THE ALPINE POLYPODY (Рогуроршм ALPESTRE)
POLY PODIUM, Linneus.

Clusters of Spore-cases circular, without covers, growing from the back of tho veins,
terminal, or nearly во. Veins disunited at their extremities, their branches
(cenules) simple, forked or rarely pinnate

P. arrastar; fronds lanceolate, herbaceous, sub-ereet, bipinnate ; pinna» narrow lanceolate
from a broad base, spreading or ascending ; pinnules ovate-oblong, or subfaleately
ovate-lanceolate, pinnatifid ; segments oblong, bluntish, serrate; stipes short;

secondary rachis narrowly winged ; (sori rarely spuriously indusiato).
па Men, Шалы of rk Hn 00. i ia Prete hal of Br Poe

а ears RE fir die Disi, 190.41. Spa cw, 50, Wilde

Var. пах, fronds slender, flaccid, narrow lanceolate, bipinnate ; pinnw short, ovate-
lanceolate, spreading or deflexed ; pinnules oblong, obtuse or acutish, narrowed
у lobed or t

below, sessile or adnate, distan

thed ; stipes very short.

iz f Dii Fer,

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

Cauder short, erect or decumbent, consisting of the persistent crowded bases of the

attached around a central axis, the whole forming а stout roundish mass, frequently

fronds

тик ALPINE POLYPODY

branched.
‘Stipes short, fom about one-sixth to one fourth of the entre length of th ond,

" scales; terminal and a
near the baso, clothed sparingly with ovatelanccolto pale-brown sees ter
Vander Hace stout rownded behind; ehannallei sm front ; не төсін ог ОР

very narrow leafy wing on both sides, connecting the pinnu

Vernation circinato
о ме
Тлек the baso narrowed in int Ша gane dagree an the polat; Diplnaale, or eubtripinnote, Tn
fronde, of which tho leafy portion measuree about twenty ісіме in length, the greatest breath is about
de und a Dalf indios Poin broadly lineae or lanceolate ош «Broad base, tapering 40 а narrow
int, numerons, crowded above, more disiant below, spreading or somewhat ascending. Fle
long-ovate, acute, with а narrow attachment

ovate-oblong, sometimes ovato-lanceolate, or obl
= the rachis ; they are deeply pinnati

but. connected by a narrow membranous wing which b
and in the me ds so much so, and the segments во far distant

appear again pinnate, Segments oblong obtuse, sharply serrate, especially at the

interior margin. The subtripinnate fronds have the segments doubly toothed.

Venation of the pinnules consisting of а slightly Nexuose midvein from which bran

alternate pinnate veins. Veins of the segments also flocuoso, with simple alternate vendes, one of which

is directed to the point of each marginal tooth ; the lowest anterior venule, which is directed towards.

the lowest anterior tooth, is usually soriferous, and when this only is so, the sori form a series on each
sido the midvein, at a short distance from it, and just above the sinus of the segments on their anterior
margin ; sometimes, however, some of the other venul also fertile, and the sori are then pla

near the margin of the segments, In the subtripinnate fronds, which have the segments more or

doubly toothed, the venules are occasionally forked, the anterior veinlet, or sometimes both, bearing а

sorus; in these examples the sori, three or four on each side the segment, form tolerably distinct sub-
marginal lines. ‘The sori are in all eases attached near to, but below, the apex of the vein, whic
reaches to the margin

Fructification on the back of the frond, occupying the upper two-thirds of its length, Sori small
«ийат, usually distinct, but sometimes crowded, and becoming confluent ; usually naked, but som
times (rarely and in abnormal-looking sori) the spore-cases are somewhat lateral, and a membrane
which appears to be an abnormal development of the receptacular expansion of the vein, is produced,
simulating an abortive or spurious indusium, Spore-cases roundish-obovate, brown, numerous.
roundish or oblong, somewhat muriculate

Duration, The caudex is perennial. The fronds are annual, growing up in April or May, and

perishing early in autumn.

The Fern is at once distinguished among the British Polypodies by its short thick erect tuft

certainly a general resemblance to Alkyrium File femina, with which it appears to have I =
generally confounded, but the fructificnt as usually borne, is very diff d | ост
to that ies is not found to be so close as at first sight appears to be the ca: Pal
merie distinctions from the mode of development, to separate the pres ra z dc
Tt d in fact represent the thr BER
Polypodies which inhabit Great Britain. SC

The supposed “indusia) ascribed to this plant, we have noticed bot

and in dried specimens of the variety Деге, but they are only es
occasional, and even rare, and

nd appear

E BE
PAT ал» ©
ее

<
a
E
~
=
e
[em
rs
m
>
[ew

THE ALPINE POLYPODY.

never to occur in company with the more perfect sori, but only where the spore-cases are much fewer in

number than usual, "Tous they

jad the appear

псе of lacerated membranaceo-filamentous expansions

of those points of the veins which formed the recep

Jes ; and they appeared to arise from some

normal

condition, which had limited the power of producing spore-cases to the side or base of the receptacle,

lile on the upper side the cells of the receptacle had been directly prolonged into the indusioid

membrane ; but in no ease have we seen what could be considered as a true

ndusium, On the other hand,

Mr. Rylands, of Warrington, who.

ards the plant as an Athyrium, has communicated the result of some

observations made in 1855, in company with Mr. Wilson, from which the fo

passages aro quoted :

— In those sori which are largo and fully ripe, the indusium could not be seen, though I imagine

dissection would show traces of it. One sorus was found still close

the spore-cases little developed ;

niform, and lay alongside the venule. In many of the smaller sori remains of an indusium

and in two or three it was as nearly perfect as one may expect to find it, ‘The ша

laciniated with fine projecting points. ‘The laciniatod margins are produced by the rupture of the

cuticle, and the fine points are the cell-walls thereof. ‘The indusium is very tender, shrivels, and where

r than in

the spore-eases are numerous, is speedily concealed or perhaps displaced by them: it is sm:

the other forms of Athyrium. These peculiarities seem to result from the rupture of the cuticle taking
place ca

in the progress of development of the sori ; but that it has the true indusium of an Athyrium
Think cannot be further disputed.” Subsequently, Mr. Rylands writes :— Tho ‘indusia’ of alpestre
are not, I think, confined to the imperfect sori, though after bursti

ig they soon shrivel а

the larger ones. I have compared it with A. Filir,famina molle, and though in t

exture, position,
and general character, there was littlo difference, I am compelled to admit that in the ease of alpestre
the spore-cases seemed to lie within the proper cuticle of the frond, while the evidence of a distinct

much clearer in molle. This supports your view to some extent; but, all things

considered, is it suflicient to remove the plant from others so evidently its allies?” When so many of

the sori—not only the majority, but all, with few exceptions, and those exceptions havi

strongly
marked imperfect ог.

normal el

aractors—really appear to be the round naked masses of Polypodium,

we have no alternative, repudiating as we do the other grounds of sepa

ation already adverted to, but

to retain this plant in that genus,

he Flexil

Polypody—P. atpesmer rurxine—(Piare VIL, в. к) as communicated to us by Mr.

Backhouse, is certainly a very distinct variety, and may b ner be

species, the ing the view adopted

by its only discoverer, Mr. Backhouse, who writes :—" Dissimilar as it is from P. alpestre, 1 shall

continue doubtful of its specific dif

nee if it does not turn up in other places.” It differs in being
more slender and flaccid ; in having a much narrower outline, and consequently shorter pinne, with a

‚er of pinnules; in the form of the pis

nules, which are oblong, narrowed below,
sessile or adnate, and distantly toothed ; in the very short stipes, becoming obsolete in the cultivated
plants ; and in a tendency to bear perfect sori at the base of the frond, while the apex is barren—the
reverse of what usually happens. ‘The absence of stipes, which Mr. Newman

icludes in his definition.

is not constant, the wild specimens sent by Mr. Backhouse having a distinct stipes of about a couple of
inches; this part, however, is always very short. ‘The fronds are from six or seven to twelve or

hteen inches in length ; the pinnae, spreading or more or less deflexed, short, with about six or eight

pairs of pinnules, ‘The sori are few, six or eight on a pinnule, usual

y distinct. In the cultivated plant
the clusters are very numerous in the lower half, a

d scarcely extend upwards beyond the middle of

the frond ; but this character is not constant, one frond communicated by Mr. Clapham, and the wild

fronds from Mr. Backhouse, be

frueti

| throughout, and another obligingly forwarded by Mr
ied,

hed to the side of the vein, and the sori were

Newman being fertile both at the base and apex. In this latter, which was only sparingly fructified,

the spore-eases appeared for the most part to be at

slightly clongated rather than circular, indicating an affinity with Athyrium, and there was in some

cases a peculiar membr

ous development in the position of an indusium, again indicating

THE ALPINE POLYPODY

the frond, the more perfect
(Sif with tho elated indusia of Athyrium, but at the base and apes of the 0 а
wth, and truly polypodiokl. It serıns to be в dificult

sori were without trace of this indusioid g :
and, languishing, probably, for

the pure air and
plant to cultivate in the climate of the south of Engl ч

cool breezes of its northern home |
We have seldom seen cultivated plants of this species thriving with the vigour they р n th
сна to the air in sheltered shady situations. When confined

a 2 - ly compost of loam and

they often produce but puny and flaccid fronds. Tt roots, however, froely in a sand
ofthis mataro from atmoepherie impurities. In ай eases where a puro atmosphere is enjoyed, it will
no doubt be found to grow better on the open rockery, than in pots under glass; and when, from th
cause just mentioned, it is found requisite to adopt frame or house culture, the plants should be
provided with as airy and light (though shaded) a situation as can bo afforded. It may Do increased

hy separating the lateral erowns of the caudex.

We learn from those who have visited the native localities of this Polypody, that it is a very

variable plant, but whether the variations are such as would be perpetuated

those in which they naturally occur, wo have as yet no information. The forms we have received have

a great analogy with those of Athyrium Filiz,femina ; and the most striking of them are enumerated

as sub-varieties below, with the object of re же have done in the case of other species,
the most marked modifications of development to which this is subject

1. Aezite (М). This has been already noticed, It is а lax narrowed form ; and bears perhaps in
its irregular toothing, and singular habits of fructifation, some indication of being a monstrous or
abnormal variation, though we believe it is perfectly constant to the peculiarities abov
Only found by Mr. Backhouse, but in some quantity, in Glen Prosen, Clova, Forfarshire

2. lanceum (ML). In this the fronds are large, stout, subtripinnate ; the pinnules elongate, ovato-
lanceolate or sometimes sublinear, subfaleate, deeply pinnatifid, with obtuse serrated segments, th
lowest of which is almost separate, We have received it from Mr. G. Lawson, and Mr, Cr red
at the White Waterfalls and elsewhere in the Clova mountains ; Mr. Croall has also communicated the
same form from Lochnagar, Aberdeenshire

3. tripinnatum QML). The fronds of this form are largo, stout, tripinnate; the pinnules, which are
from an inch to an inch and a half long, are oblong-ovate, with separate, oblong, secondary pinnules,
the upper of which aro united by the wing of the rachis, but the lower are separate to their base, It
is analogous to fine states of Athyrium Filiz-famina incisum, Mr. G. Lawson gathered it at the Wells
of Deo, Aberdeenshire

The smaller and more usual—at least the more usually eollected—forms of this
to Athyrium Filix-famina molle, and the other less divided states of the Lady Fern ; even these, how

ever, exhibit differences in habit, some being quite erect, while others are sp w 1
spread го suspect, als

that a dwarf barren monstrous shy-growing plant found by Dr, Dickie on Ben Mac-d'hui, and

hitherto referred to Athyrium (var. pramorsum), belongs rather to this speci

sol

Piare УШ.

AIN PARSLEY FERN, or ROCK BRAKES

(ALLOSORUS CRISPUS).

THE MOUN!

ALLOSORUS, Bernhardi.

Clusters of Spore-cases round (or. elongate ol

5), springing from near the apices of
the venules, distinct, at length becoming laterally confluent. Zndusium none,
simulated by the involute unaltered margins of the pinnules of the contracted
fertile fronds which cover the sori. Veins simple, or forked from а distinct
midvein ; renules disunited at their extremities

A. cnrsrus: fronds of two kinds, ovato-deltoid, bi-tri-pinnate ; ultimate divisions of the
sterile fronds obovate wedge-shaped, often bifid: of the fertile linear-oblong ;

sori roundish,

der Botanik, 1908, i yê i 5,90. Bebington, Mannat

Macy, Fore Hibernie, 38

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.
Peame VLA

Cander small, short, tufted, erect or decumbent, scaly. Seales membranous, pale brown, subulate

Fibres numerous, branched, dark brown, wiry, and slightly eo

тегей with small hair-like scales,
Stipes as long as, or usually longer than the frond, pale green, slender, smooth, with a few scattered
scales near the base ; adherent to the caudex. Machis smooth.

Vernation civeinate

Frond from four to twelve inches high, including the stipes, herbaceous, of a lively green, terminal
on the caudex, triangular or ovato-triangular in outline, of two forms

dimorphous. Sterile fronds leafy, usually

and hence described as

t as long as the stipes, bi- or tri-pinnate, smooth.

THE MOUNTAIN PARSLEY FERN.

lower ones largest. Pinu
triangularcovate, spreading, the

Pinne alternate or sub-opposite

pinnae, pinnate or pin

alternate, ovate, lar
e teeth, and the former into

ovale or obovnto-euncate ; the Inter, or amaller ones, ent into linear әсі n

aving acute incurved te

unento-linear bifid lobules, h
1 sinuously shallow-toothed marg

oval, with

in form, being sometimes oblon
th has become arrested and
whose fructiferous growth h

ш fertile fron

out one half

Fertile fronds contracted, usually

in the basal portions of the lower рїш Р

ovate, spre ho lower ones largest. Pinanles alternate, ovate in =
the ultimate divisions are stalked, obtuse

pinnatifd in the lower pinne, pinnate only above. All the ul d

LAA Tasar oblog hot tha tovolotion of thà mirate WHI mre pole он nbn. v Р

a slender ein extending slong each pinnule, and

Venation of the bar
in becoming alternately branched

casting off а venue into each of its lobes or pinnulets, this
each segment ; simple where the segment

that a reinlet runs along the contre nearly to the point
"chere it is bifid, a branch of the vein being directed towards every marginal

is undivided, and forke

division, and p

onds a vein enters each ultimat
margin, and are usually simple

tooth, In the fertile
h extend nearly to the

apex; this throws off alternate cenules, whi

but sometimes forked, and bear a көгін near to their extremit

Fructifeation on the back of the frond, and usually occupying th under surface. Sort small
roundish, situated near the extremity of the venules; at first distinct though contiguous, ultimately
becoming Interally confluent and forming a continuous line. No indusium is present, but

mulets, somewhat pallid but not altered in texture, are incurved over the sori.

small, elliptic-obovate, stalked. Spores smooth, roundish, oblong, or blunt

in May and June, and

Is are annual, sprin

Duration. "The caudex is perennial ; the

perishing in the course of the autumn,

‘Tho Parsley Fern is readily known by its dwarf tufted parsley-like appearance, coup
dissimilarity between its much-divided sterile and fertile fronds, of which the former have the segments
broad, lat, and Леке, and the latter have them involute at the margin, so that they become contracted
iliquiform, These features distinguish it from all other of our native ferns

w, if any, of the few species which are indigenous to Britain have given rise to su

conflicting opinions as to the genus to which it belongs. Linnaeus and the

to Osmunda and Onoclea, Of the other names which ha applied to it—all

limitations. Presl, and subsequently Kunze, adopting Bernhardis ni

various true Pleridew with which it has no affinity, and which must consequently be again di

The affinities of our plant have been well pointed out by Mr. John Smith, who со

мег, but poly It is, in fact, polypodio-grammitoid. The sori are г

distinct, and the involution of the margin represents n

an indusium but a contraction of the frond, t

incurred parts being unaltered in texture, and not membranous, which they would be, if true indusin.

This fern is not dificult of culture under conditions whi де tani: tha пол ГІ

roots and caudex from stagnant or accumulated moisture, In free well drained soil and in a cold sh

frame it grows remarkably well, but sh

wd be guarde

n to disturb a thriving plant for this purpos

арыу of plants, it may be hinted

that, in the ease of this, and other ferns which naturally occur

somewhat difficult to remove and establish, it is far better to select th 1

the purpose of removal, than the larger and older masses which tempt th

т
nm
22
72
=

Prare IX.

THE ALPINE SHIELD FERN, or HOLLY FERN

(Porysticnum Loxenms).

POLYSTICHUM, Roth. Schott.

rarely terminal on the venules, covered by

ular, peltate, ie, attached at

Clusters of Spore-cases circular, medial,
indusium, ог membranous scale. Zndusium orb
ог near its centro, the margin becoming free. Veins pinn
direct, disunited at their extremities, the lower anterior one in each fascicle, on
the fertile parts of the frond, bearing а sorus,

теше; venules

P. Loxomrs: fronds pinnate, narrow lincar-lanccolate, ri
late, acute, spinosely cilinto-serrate, the upper ones auricled at the base on the

Марей or r

nd posterior auricle

id; pinnæ faleately lanceo

unded on the lower; the lowest ones

upper side, obliquely wedge
often with both an anterior

"British Ferm, 10h,

тейине ла

Marval of Brith Belong, MU. биту, Fray, 30, 16

rc Hand of British Fer, ба. Pre, Tentamen Рита,
Britannie, В.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE

fct (1100 yards, aer) abore де
а Nor Wales, in the

in Yorkshire. Is tern a

‘rutin of Donegal, Leitrim, Бірі Мені, and Kerry. The

а the n ctrl partion, os

Kaulfinterneditebetwen P. Lonekitirand P faleineilum of Madeira und în Califo

Candex thick, slowly е erect or decumbent, consisting of the densely packed bases of

decayed fronds surrounding a central woody axis, and clothed in the upper part with the numerous

id, branched, dark brown,

scales which remain about the bases of the stipes. Fires stout, ri

two inches, or somet

‘Stipes usually short, from half an inch nes in Welsh specimens three inches

in length, clothed with largo ovate or broudly-Ianceolate reddish-brown pointed chafly scales; termin

iceolate and subulate pallid scales.

and adherent to the caudex, Rachis densely scaly, with narrower 1

Vernation circinate

‚en, or rarely twenty-four inches in le

Frond, from six to ei h, deep green, paler beneath, of
rigid leathery texture, erect or pendulous according to the conditions of growth, lincar-lanecolate,

pinnate. Pinnce undivided, numerous, with one of the margins, usually the anterior one, bent back

from the plane of the rachis and usually crowded, so that when the frond is flattened they become

THE ALPINE SHIELD FERN

overlapping on the upper part of tho frond, Chough distinct and some Кө ы
р а
moreover, very shortly stalked or ово, ancoolatefalente, from three-quarters > e
;oint, and an acuto auricle at the base о
and a quarter in length in the widest part, having an acute p
the anterior side, the base on the posterior ТТ 1 or rounded off in all the uppe
lowest ones. The margin
pinnas but-often produced into a posterior auricle in the low т

mediate teeth

specimens from Wales, whe

rratûres tipped by bristle-like processes, with minute int
Venation generally indistinet, but often more conspicuous in
to the apex of the pinna

which extends to the apex of

seems more lax. There is a mideein extendi and diverging f
very point where it enters the pinna, is a principal branch or гей,
auricle ; this branch is pinnately-forked on the same plan as the midvein, but on а smak
saab of iho тады са adel ida tho питала аге panna iy Oriol, СФ Shey ее лкд, bub the bronces
aco so plac that at each ramifintion the vein seems to hare separated into two nearly equal and bu
slightly diverging parta, In averago specimens there are three or four of those ramifications to each
vein near the baso of the pinna, then two, and finally ono in those-near the apex. The senulos and
inlets aro lost in the substance of the frond just within the margin, one being directed

marginal tooth, In smaller specimens the number of ramifications in the veins is fewer
back of the frond, and usually confined to the upper half, though sometimes

ach side the midvein, halfway betw

Feuctification on th

extending lower down, Sori round, indusiate, forming a line on

it and the margin, and also in a similar way a lino on each side the principal vein extending into th

auricle ; they are of variable size, but often largo and erowded, and then generally become confluent in

age ; they are attached to the anterior branch of each fasciele of veins, and are medial, seated nearer t
its base than its apex. Zndusium, or cover to thy mbranaceons, orbicular, umbilicato
and peltate, or attached to the receptacle by a short central stalk. Spor umerous, globose
stalked, deep brown. Spores small, round or oblong, muriculate

Duration. "The caudex is perennial, and the plant evergreen, the fronds, which appear
in spring, attaining their maturity by the autumn, and remaining in full vigour through th

onwards

This plant may be taken as the type of Polystichum, a genus established by Roth several years y
to the publication of Aspidium, which has too long and too generally been allowed to superse
is also the type of Polystichum in the restricted sense proposed by Schott, whose views we adopt

It is known fron weloped states of the cognate species by its being simply pinnate, but
imperfect and debilitated forms of them which sometimes occur are only pinnate, and from th

distinguishable with difficulty, The rigidity of texture, the strongly spinous margin, and the tendency to

imbrication in the pinn, offer the rendiest marks of distinction from these anomalous congeners.

1. oleada: tis baa tho Monda divided al the ар. П.М probably aho t bo consider
2. proliferum: this form produces small bbs In tho axils of tho lnwernóet pinnis, and th

produce young plants when the fronds drop from decay

The cultivation of P. Lonehitis will be noticed under that of the followin

; PRINTING. Polystichum Lonchitis.

Prates X. ХІ.

THE COMMON PRICKLY SHIELD FERN

(PoLysticHum ACULEATUN).

TICHUM, Roth. Schott.

ves cireular, medial, rar
ale. Indusium orbieular, peltate,

terminal on the venules, covered by an

indusium or membrana ched

les
à each fascicle

ог near its centre, the margin becoming free. Veins pinnato-fu
direct, disunited at their extremities, the lower
parts of the frond bearing a sorus.

on the fertil

bipinnate, lanceolate or broad linear-lanceolate, rigid; pinnules
hed by their wedge 1 base, or obliquely decurrent, or
Ног basal ones larg

P. ACULEATU: fron
distinet, and
confluent

fra-medial

prickly serrate ; soi

Эму, ші.

Aroca sonaron, 5

Var, товатом: fronds narrow-lance
ones) elliptic, not auricled, nearly all decurrent or confluent, prickly-s

ate, very rigid ; pinnules (except

атом: A, fron N " TT ——

THE COMMON PRICKLY SHIELD FERN

Cander thick, tufted, егесі or decumbent, becoming woody in

fronds closely surrounding a woody axis, slowly elongating, in the upper part seal

ovato-lanceolate, numerous, dark fuscous. Fibres long, coarse, tortuous, branched, dark brown.

‘Stipes short, throe to four inches long, densely scaly with broad ovato-lanccolato chafly fuscous
scales ; terminal and adherent to the caudex.

Rachis stout, rounded behind, rounded and channelled in front y scaly, the
numerous and hair-like above, more numerous and intermixed with ones below, gradually
merging in size with those of the stipes

Vernation reinate, the main rachis becoming recurved before the unfolding of the frond i
completed; the pinna» convoluto towards the main rach

Frond from one to three feet high, and from four to seven inches across, rigid, leathery, sn
dark green above, paler beneath, more or less spreading, occasionally hat drooping
tho typical form, narrowly-lanceolate in the variety, bipinnate. inne numerous, obliquely-la
broadest at the base, acuminate, pinnate at the base and for a part of their length, sometimes nearly to
the apes, in other cases the basal pinnules only being distinet ; the upper ones alternate, the lower
‘ones nearly opposite and diminishing in size. Pinnules ovato-faleate or elliptic, acute and aristate at the
apex; ай or the basal ones only auriculato on the anterior side, the auri mu

aristate, subsessile, and attached by the wedge-shaped base, or decurrent ; the basal portion entire

and when distinet, obliquely incised on the posterior side, truncate on the side next the rachis ; the

rest of the margin toothed with unequal adpressed mucronate serratures, The basal anterior pinna

оп each pinnule is generally larger, often much larger than the rest, and more strongly auricled, and

the pinnules are all more or less convex ; on the under surface aro scattered fine hair-like s

typical form has the pinnules mostly distinct, the variety has them mostly decurrent

apparently resulting indifferently from youth and decrepitude, they ріш rely
more or less deeply toothed, somewhat resembling those of P. Lonchitis ; it is this imperfect condition

of the plant which has been named Ionchitidioides

прав ы ne See ы ЖОШО Ос ныл.
сатар ње а ames rian O ыра
м à
bass ê i êshe a U E AE E TE E
TT

о,
а, a ta
E шынан; ча ode лана оа на
er veni f o ilo vel o, at he dl le ta фе ышы coke ca
ми tharo aol ho женет branch Ұ (hy ше йі. ылы wenn ео
and umbilicate. Spore-cases numerous, dark brown, roundish-obovate, stalked. Saum ver, њи,

тешме

Duration. "Pho caudex is perennial

the fronds are persistent through the winter and th

loving
oer, though sometimes damaged by severe frosts. The young fronds grow up in M,

nt mtl

aculeatum .

. Polystichum

P.aculeatum alatum

C ouk.

го и

P.aculeatum

B.

THE COMMON PRICKLY SHIELD FERN

P. aculeatum is very difficult to distinguish from its near ally Р. angulare, and yet, viewing the

ugh every

British forms, they appear to be distinct, Indeed, were it otherwise, a series varying thr

gradation from pinnate to tripinnate must be united, and all hope of definin;

a species would be at an end,

While thus admitti

ig the difficulty of diserim

ig between some forms of these species, and without

presuming to |

y down any infallible rule for effecting t

object, we may point out how they may with

tolerable certainty be known from each other, presuming that in the applicati

d appreciation of

the distinguishing peculiarities some general knowledge of the plants is desirable P. aculeatum is

® stouter, more erect, and altogether more rigid plant than P. angulare, which is normally lax and

herbaceous, equally large or even larger in its size, 2. P. aculeatum has its pinnules either confluent
or decurrent, in which cases there is no difficulty whatever in distinguishing it; or, when the pinnules

are distinct, as in the most perfect plants, they are wedge-shaped at the base, the anterior side being

truncate, and the posterior obliquely incised in str:

ight lines, the two lines describing an acute angle hy

the apex of which they are attached to the rachis, In P. angulare the truncated anterior base has a

moro curved outline, and the two lines of the base des

right angle or an obtuse angle, at the apex
of which is a distinct slender petiole, by which they are attached. 3. P. aculeatum has

that is,

attached at а point along the middle part of the venule; it is in fact nearer the base of the

venule, ie, the point of furcation, than the apex, which is carried out to the margin of the pinnule, In

P. angulare the fertile venule stops about midway across the pinnuld, and the sorus is commonly placed

at or almost close to its apex. These peculiarities observed in connection with each other will serv

to reduce tho dubious forms within very narrow limits indeed, at least, so far as British examples

are concerned. ‘The portion rather below the mi

ldle of the frond should be taken for examination

‘This is one of the most easily cultivated of all the larger hardy ferns. It prefers a loamy soil and

Partial shade; and is increased readily by division. Being evergreen, its varieties are among the most

de

able of our native species for the decoration of shady walks and rockeries, in which latter situation

especially, where the roots are generally well drained, provided the pl:

effects of

nts are not exposed to the

ere drought and aro moderately shaded, they thrive admirably. It is also very manageable

as a pot plant, and under any circumstances is ornamental in its character. ‘The smaller form, known

as lobatum, is perhaps the most өш

table for pot culture, on account of its size and the elegance of its

fronds, which not uncommonly assume a very graceful lateral curve.

The allied Р. Lonchitis, though a у

vous looking and hardy plant in its native haunts, is seldom.
seen to preserve its vigour under cultivation, at least in the neighbourhood of London, probably on
account. of the impossibility of imitating the pure atmosphere of its native mountains. It certainly

ut, its roots too should be

prefers a damp atmosphere; and, provided the moisture is not sta;

freely supplied ; they should

fact be constantly moist with percolating moisture: and hence the

necessity of a careful mechanic

adjustment of the materials employed as compost, of which mellow

m, gritty к

nd, and small masses of some porous body, such as soft sandstone

hould be the main

edients. We have succoeded tolerably well by potting the pla

ts very firmly in such a compost with
x small proportion of peat added, the plants being kept under glass in a close cold shaded frame, but
the removal of the plants for the winter to a cold greenhouse where the atmosphere was drier, led to

the partial de

of the fronds. The

ame plants however on being enclosed within a hand

where consequently the atmospheric moisture was more abundant and regular, gı

ew vigorously : so
that we have no doubt the requirements of this species are a well moistened but freely-drained soil and

a damp atmosphere, which can only be secured in many cases by keeping the plants close under glass.

ted by division, lateral crowns being seldom produced ; consequently,

plants generally have to be obtained

‘om their native habitats. As it fructifies freely, they might be

raised from the spores

"There are various di

es of development in this species, some of the most distinet of which have

COMMON PRICKLY SHIELD FERN.

THE
sh

an considered ns varieios, and one at least of them (оойт) eee

authors.
1. Zonclátidivides : this is usually cons o young state of the form

bri cons eerta {uot ta төзіп corre пара ver old pnt М ма
A on by Ms, Donne, havo been found родова tho Ionchiiform fronda: Tt would
ho debilitated and partially Tobatum, whether caused by
шу other depressing influence, Tt is certainly not permanently distinct from И

able with it, for cultivated plants of Zonehitidinides may be murtur
propor may be starved into louchitidioides. Т 1 is dwarf, simply
much resembling P. Lonehitis, but less spiny, not іші

become lobed. - Tt is a fertile state

2 lobatum : this variety, wh the fully developed condition of the previ
lance-shiaped fronds, one to two feet long, and subbipinnate i few only o
the anterior basal one ік always distinct, considerably enlarged, and strongly

Between it and th
et and

either decurrent or confluent, and not auriclel,
broader, and in which most of the pinnules should be di

сап be developed into aenteatwn by culture, but on the contrary, that it is à perman

various gradations exist, Tt is a common plant

з. multifidum : this Mr. Wollaston describes as having the apex of the frond mu
occasionally dichotomous.

another of Mr. Wollaston's varieties; it produces bulbils in ti

pinne

5. argutum : this has a broad lanceolate frond, with distinct pinnules as in
diers in the form of the pinnules, which are narrowed and elongated ; they termin
point, and havo long sp
information that it had been gathered in some part of Buckinghamshire

The variety mentioned in the 21 ish Ferns (2 ed, p. 90
п the Royal Botanie Garden at Kew, cannot raced as a British plant,

itted, Tt appears from specimens in Sir W and Mr. Howard's her
American form of the species; and it is therefore not improbable that th

1 into lobatum proper ; and k

мей out
rather seem to b
im, but interchange
pinnate, often very

deve

species, which is
js to be found every
form called Zobutum
nent variety of which
ultfid, and the pinne

the typal plant, and

nes to the marginal teeth. T ven to us by Mr. Lloyd

0) as being cultivated
and is consequently
baria, to be a North

RUSS
3 ит,

ENS
ZA

SS

N

ar.
iN
2

NY a = Ху]
(547 қу)
АИК
АА

N

КАИ
N

\ \
“Жу,
WA у
CY

N N 2
N N ff

(0

“и 44

ЧИ VA | РИЯ >

ELTERN ҮР ЕЕ E ес”
МА ANUN И : а

МИ

SS

FG А

CRI > ( 4

Polystichum aculeatum ‚lobatum.

Prares XII. ano XIII

THE SOFT PRICKLY SHIELD FERN

(POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE).

POLYSTICHUM, Roth. Schott

Cluster pore-cases circular, medial, rarely terminal on the venules, covered by an

m, or memb

ous scale, Indwsium orbicular, peltate, ie, attached at
ог near its centre, the

their extremities, the lower anterior one in each fascicle, on
the fertile parts of the frond, bearing a sorus,

n becoming free. Veins pinnato-fureate ; venules
direct, disunited

P. awovzanz: fronds bipinnate, lanceolate, lax; pinnules distinct, acute or obtuse

xd base, and attached by a distinct stalk
lobed or serrated, the serratures tipped with a soft bristle; sori terminal or
subterminal

herbaceous, with an obtuse

pong Moriaphia Britney ir. 05, Babington, Манын e Dich Di
Bannan, History на Fores, Genera Fins, 28,

Poorsrtewex ассын; 4. Groy, Мани of the Botany of the Northern Unite States, 682, Ва, Ge

Asta ANGULAR, Kill ES, in Willen Spence PI +з. бей, Fnglish Flore ir
Brig, берістен lo English Boleny, frst, ВАА Flora, OS. Macey, Pl

Анти вольт, К 1848 (u, various synonyms),

Мином uaseetast, Tino, Senis И. А. Жыр. pro өте 1890; Fora Solana, ir. 130; v. 90

илтми are

Var. тивысатом: fronds lincar-lanccolato; pinnae short bluntish; pinnules roundish

oblong imbricated.

Var. атом: fronds lanceolate rather small; pinnules decurrent with the winged
secondary rachides, teeth rounded bristle-pointed. (Plate X. fig. С)

Var. твомекати: fronds lanceolate, lax, bi- or tri-pinnate ; pinnules narrow, attenuated,

ly stalked; usually decply-lobed, with the lobes widely separated

proliferous on the rachis,

"or. TRIPINSATUN: fr
anterior basal one much elongated, distinctly pinnate the greater part of its
length, its pinnulets stalked

is ample lanceolate; pimæ crowded ; pinnnles imbricated, the

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

E, Porverinew алатың at fom Net, S м: ии,

rc, Conall; AJ Lowe, ©, Pouretionta эзогыза

HABITAT is very Ъ bich, dit in shody wooded places, = aly distributed than

у SHIELD FERN

THE SOFT PRICKU

YE PRINTING. А. Polystichum angulare.

B. P. angulare hastulatum. С. P.angulare irregulare. D. P. angulare hiserratum. Е. P.angulare imbricatum .

A. Polystichum angulare subtripinnatum .

PRINTING.

C.P.angulare proliferum .

B. P. angulare tripmnatum.

THE SOFT PRICKLY SHIELD FERN

Fructification on the back of the frond, generally occupying the whole of the upper part to the

extent of two-thirds, but sometimes confined on this portion to the upper part of the pinna. Sori
small, numerous, round, indusiate, seated at the apex of the venule, forming a line on each side of

the midvein, and also of the vein of the auricle, often crowded, and sometimes becoming confluent ;

they are attached to the anterior venules of the fascicle, whenever the veins are forked, but in the

auricle several of the simple venules bear sori. Zndusium firm, membranaeeous, orbicular, peltate

umbilicato. Spore-cases numerous, brown, roundish, obovate. Spores roundish, ovate, muriculate

Although as regards P. angulare and P. aculeatum there is so close an affinity, that instances do

occur in which it is difficult to determine between th

m, yet, confining our view to the plants as found

in Great Britain, such instances are rare, at least to those who have made themselves familiar with

the aspect and characteristics of the plants, As to the application of the names, there is doubtless a
Plates X., XI,

ХП, and ХИТ, may assist in correcting, Extending the inquiry, however, so as to include the exotic

in amount of error and confusion, which it is hoped the antographic delineation:

Ferns of this affinity, the limits of the species become obscure ; and it is perhaps doubtful whether in
this more comprehensive view they can be defined,—at least by means of the mutilated examples alone

rate, The

nilable for examination in herbaria,—with sufficient clearness to be kept permanently se

study of the living plants may, indeed, afford other distinctive marks than those derived from form and

texture, as in th

case of Polypodium Dryopteris and its ally, which have a different vernation, and in
ур 7

that of some forms of Lastrea Filiz-mas, in which the same kind of organic difference occurs, With

our present information, however, there seems no mean between the two extremes of uniting the

simply pinnate P. Lonehitis with the tripinnate P. angulare, an unbroken series being traceable ; or, on

the other hand, retaining the three British species we have figured (Plates IX., X., and XII), as well

some of the allied exotic ones, as distinct. We are not prepared to adopt the former alternative,

and therefo

> With all its difficulties, prefer the latter,

The specific name of angulare, which has b

n generally employed whenever the species has been

kept distinct, is retained for this plant, from a suspicion that it may, after all, be found necessary to

merge it in P. aculeatum, in which case any present change would be i

politi. We have no doubt

however, tl

at both the P. setiferum of Forskal (17

5) and the

Iypodium appendiculatum of Hoffmann.

(1795) a

referrible here, and these names certainly claim priority over angulare (1810). The law of

priority, which should take effect if our plant should finally prove distinct, would give the name of
P. setiferum, which is a remarkably suitable one
"The differences between the English P. angulare and P. aculeatum have been alre

eX)

pointed out.

(See P

In the gi

‘den, this Fern will be found very ornamental, and of very easy management. It grows

readily in free sandy loam, either in shady parts of the garden or shrubbery ; on rock-work ; or in the

in-door Fernery ; and it is increased with tolerable

cility by division. Some of the varieties, however

propagate much more extensively by means of bulbils which
or about the surface of the soil, or in the axils of the lower pinnæ, or in some instances on the veins of

the fronds, This re

rm either at the base of the stipes below

served in several of the.

kable proliferous or viviparous character has now been ol

itish Ferns, including Polystichum Lonchitis; P. aculeatum, with its variety lobatum ; P. angulare
three or four varieties; Lastrea Filiz-mas, two varieties; I. fænisecii; Asplenium lane
E:

bulbilliform mode of increase, Mr. Wollaston has observe

ta=muraria ; Seolopendrinn vulgare, several varieties; and Blechnum Spicant,

a different kind of developement in a variety of

Polypodium vulgare nearly allied to cambricum, communicated by Mr

Т. Bennett. In this ease the

developement consisted of prothalloid growths on the apices

serratures of the lobes, which had every

indien

on of being fertile, though unfortunately the frond was broken off before they were observed, so

THE БОРТ PRICKLY SHIELD FERN

= а quaintance with so many bulbi-bearing British Fern
is i 3 Шамаға expecially Mr. Wollaston of Chislehurst, Dr. Allein
Be 2 : Baxter of Oxford, during the summer of 1854 ; fo

of Bayswater, Mr. Clapham of Scarborough, and Mr up

in the most recent. publication on the subject, issued in the earlier part
асаа ons панах према only, 2. прете M ом to ренина ВЫ property. МЕ Bastos Ма
$ has been observed, having

suggested that it may be a result of pot-cultare, all the instances in which Й

afford additional evidence that the

been on potted plants, The facts thus observed, appear t
of Forms are not leaves, as some would call them, but to which the fact of their normally be
fructiiation seems repugnant; but that they at least include something of the nature

the fronds of Ferns are mere I

Another fact which militates against the opinion that

Leaves, it is maintained by physiologists, have their points first formed, the perfected apex

were pushed forward by aceretion from below, but in th f Ferns it may of

instration that the lower parts are perfectly develo matun whilst the apex

is still unrolling; this is very obvious in the genus Nap

Polystichum angulare is one of the Ferns which exhibits а considerable degree of variation, th
differences in some instances being very marked, Mr. Wollaston has furnished us with the greater
portion of the following enumeration of varieties —

1. hastulatum (У). Thi mall pinnuled form, quite like the Italian Aast
figured in the Flora Nap It is chiefly remarkable for the small size
and for their distinet and slender footstalk ; the auricle, too, is very distinct, acut
lower pinnules is separated by a deep incision from th е pinnul
Martha's Hill in Surrey, and probably occurs elsewhere

utum (17). This form has the pinnules acute, and very distinctly stalked, but the pinnul
longer than in the Inst, rather narrow, faleate, and strongl orratures ar
slightly developed, but the apices of both the pinnules and aurielos ppearan
somewhat approaches P. aculeatum. Tt is rather local than un mpshire
probably other counties.

3, aristatum (W.). This, although not unlike the normal state of the spec » and habit
differs in having the points of tho serratures aristate, and the long hair-like points stand forward in.
remarkable way, giving the plant a bristly appearance, It is, moreover, very proliferou
bulbils on the stipes, either beneath or at the surface of the ground, It was found by Mr. Wollaston

in Sussex, in 1854, and retains its peculiarities in the fronds of 1855,

4. multifidum (УУ. has the apex of the frond beautifully tuft metimes divided.

It is, perhaps, rather an occasional variation than a permanent variety

5. proliferum (УУ). There are two slight modifica

have been found at Wimbledon, Surrey, by Mr. Choules (though we have specimens from Mr

purporting to be from Devonshire, on the authority of Mr. Choules, and suspect this to be
nshire, by Mr. Wollast

us, bearing small bulbils chiefly at €

habitat) ; the other was found recently near Ottery St, Mary, in De

а more lax and elegant plant. Both forms are prolife

junction of the pinna: with the rachis, but sometimes in the axils of the pinnules. It is a n
plant under cultivation. When perfectly developed, especially in Mr. Wollastor's plant, it is tripinn:

the pinnutes, which are narrowed and attenuated,

lef, and the lobes so much s
ich separated а

to become pinnulets. When less comp
Both the forms

Ferns, but for the sake of securing as far as practicabl :

THE SOFT PRICKLY SHIELD FERN

spondent varieties of different species, the more characteristic name of proliferum which has been
suggested, is here adopted.

6. depauperatum (W.). This very rare and curious variety was found by Dr. Kinahan in Ireland,

in 1852, and has since proved more or less constant under cultivation, Its fronds are frequently so

depauperated that they become mere skeletons, with little but the ribs and veins rem

ing. Occasion.

ially like the normal form. Tt

ally а frond is produced either entirely or par is far as is known,

times produces bulbils. Dr. Kinahan had called this form both laciniatum and

strictum,

7. intermedium (ҮГ). This, a robust, fleshy-looking, upright-growing plant, so nearly approaches

P. aculeatum that it is scarcely distinguishable from it. The fronds are occasionally multifid. The

pinnules are crowded and overlapping ; subtrapeziform from the unusual development of the anterior
sido; the margin is deeply ineiso-serrate, the basal anterior lobe being very much enlarged, and all
the segments biserrate, and more aristate than is usual. The fronds are frequently abrupt at the apex,
and when so have a tendency to produce bulbils. It was found by Mr. R. Sim, near St. Mary's Cray
Kent, and is not common

8. pramorsum (А). Although this form has never attained maturity, it is too remarkable not to be

noticed here. ‘The whole plant appears of small growth ; the pinnw are laciniate and irregular ; the
pinnules truncate, шай

9. dissimile (M).

inate, and verrucose. It was found in Ireland by Dr. Allehin, in 1853.

is plant resembles the variety intermedium, in having the segments of its pinnules

biserrate and more a

‘state than usual, and it is also proliferous ; but it di

s from it in having its

fronds frequently depauperated, the pin

irregularly truncate or multifid, and the pinnules very

size and shape. Ith

во а remarkably hispid aspect, arising both from the acumination
of its serratures, and the narrowness of the scales with which it is profusely covered. It was found in
Kent by Mrs. Delves, and is uncommon.

10. irregulare (М.ф). This was found near Nettlecombe, in Somersetshire, in 1854, by Mr. Elworthy

gardener to Sir W. C. Trevelyan, Bart, It is a very curious form.

‘The lower pinnae, whieh aro the

most perfect in outline, bear var

д and unequally inciso-lobate pinnules, of which the basal anterior
lobe formir

the auricle is much enlarged, and considerably detached from the rest, and the rest form

lacerate s

rratures, all the larger of w

т pinmee are fertile, more ог

less depauperated, and much more irregular in size, outline

11. Diserratum (ML). This is a

nd toothin

form with large broad pinnules, stalked, inciso-serrate, the basal
anter

lobe separated by а deeper incision, the rest biserrate and aristate. Tt would appear to have

frequently

very long stipes. It was found by Mr. S, F. Gray, near Brentford ; and the same form

seems to be common in Jersey, whence we have received it from Dr. Allchin and Mr: C. Jackson,

12. alatum (М) "The remarkable peculiarity of t

variety is that the pinnules are connected by а

very obvious wing on both sides the secondary rachidi

on which they are deeurrent. The pinnules are

tapered than usual, with the anterior side most developed, and the margin eut into rounded teeth

tipped by a bristle; the under

urface is also densely covered with hair-like scales. ‘The fronds are

about a foot high. It was found in Somersetshire by Mrs. Archer Thompson.

imbricatum (М). This graceful and curious variety is so unlike all other known forms, that had
more than a solitary plant been found, it ought, perhaps, to have taken rank as а species, It is perfectly

distinct from all others. ‘The fro

id is nearly two feet high, of lincar-lanecolate outline, in this respect

and in habit, resembling the Polystichum lobatum of authors, though having all the important

characters of Р. angulare. ‘The pinnæ are short, linear, bluntish at their apices, often standing nearly

at a right angle with the rachis. The pinnules are crowded and imbriented, roundish oblong, scarcely

narrowed at the apex, but strongly spinulose

rate, auricled at the anterior base, and unequally

the

asal anterior pinnule is larger, and they are all connected with the rachis by а short

somewhat winged peti

Another remarkable peculiarity in this variety, is that most of the larger

THE SOFT PRICKLY SHIELD FERN

ung ones bein
fronds are accompanied by a young ono on their inner side, those уо
from bulbils which are formed beneath the soil on the stipes of the

in Somersetshire by Mr. Elworthy
in tho details of its parts, Tt
14. incisum (W). This variety, of which there are two forms, is unique in tà 1 1

isa large-growing plant, ‘The pinnules are very di

portion of tho frond, ao simply divido asin tho varity abtripinnadum, bot as they approach the
they become more and more incised and irregularly laciniate d their
or auricled. 1 le pinnule

Wollaston

serrated, those nearest the secondary rachis being somewhat prol

The two plants referred to differ much in size; the on

upwards of four feet in height; tho other, found by Dr. Allehin also in Su
smaller growth. For the latter, Dr. Allehin had suggested the name of m

of the pinnules, but the

disruption of the epidermis on some
distinct names.

16. subtripinnatun (МӘ). This is one of the more highly developed states of the spec
wer pinnules, the basal ones in particular, are so deeply pinnatii that the seg
distîne, and sometimes quite so, Tt is of large growth. In other respects it resembles the normal type
Tt is common in Ireland, and, we believe, plentiful in England in damp shady situations. Оше
this variety (ке Plate XIII, fig. A), necessarily taken from а small frond
compound character, which is better represented by the detached pinna.

16, tripinnatum (М). ТЫ very beautiful and peculiar variety has been called trip
with the sultripinnati just described, in consequence of its basal anterior pi
distinctly sugh the plant is on the whole less divided than the Devon

the Trish variety decompositum, "The most remarkable " unusual

gation of the anterior basal pinnules, and their truly pinnate charact lets bein

distinctly stalked, The other pinnules are highly developed, though les b and
they are crowded and imbricated. It is profuse in the production of sori, and thi

bulate scales. It was found in Cornwall by Mr. Millet; and was first made kno
hy Mr, E- J. Lowe, It is a very marked aberration from the normal form, and a

17. deeompasitum (M.). This beautiful variety is by far the most compound

mal race of this species, "The fronds aro divided thus—first, pinnas then pinnu
lobes of pinnulets, and these latter are again serrated, The basal pinnule ably

Dr. Allehin.

Prares XIV. A

У. XVI. XVII

THE MALE FERN, ов COMMON BUCKLER FERN

(Lastrea Еилх-ма$).

у a
W LASTREA, Presl.
^ à Say lusters of Spore-cases circular, medial or subterminal on the venules, covered by an
У indusium, or membranous scale. Zndusium reniform, e, more or less regularly
rotundato with a posterior notch ; attached by the sinus or noteh, the margin
E becoming free. Veins simple, forked, or pinnate; venules direct, disunited at
their extremities
m 1. Fuxaus: fronds lanceolate sub-bipinnate or bipinnate ; pinus linear tapering to
the apex; pinnules oblong obtuso, serrate (principally at the apex), crenate or
= inciso-lobate at the margin, the basal ones more or less distinct, the upper
3 confluent ; serratures not spinulose ; indusium convex, persistent, (and except in
ES abbreviata and pumila) without marginal glands
(——— 7. Boling ri Batany, 10. Seri
1) CD. More Hay Br Boran 10. an, Hort of Вива Pee, 20, ші
arome Ficus Тане, Spa Pron 161. Dile Вина iani, А...
ud Алтыға rco Seer, Sarado t eel fi die Botanik, 1003.88, Sai Hore rent 1121
В te. em
Devorrents Eus, Бі, бот» Hes (with a pte). Namen, tory у Bh Fr 184.
E Var. INCISA: fronds robust, bipinnate; pinnules pyramidately-oblong, acutish, deeply
i inciso-lobate, the lobes serrate ; sori usually occupying nearly the whole pinnule.
—————————————" DÀ
ы Tarra rios, дань Рида Bini, ші.
2 Tamra are, 2 Moore, MS in Her
Жапек Pucci & пон Hober and Ағай, Dri Flora, 0 (с. Api rm, Sy, 45,

xerox эйттем, Schuh, Атумігекіміг оно, t. $1 (monstrous).
Акты arri, иеме and Мут,“ Hesse. Einen. Tal pr
Porsronew Hetsornetin, Витания, Hee Are у

Тотем arrest, Zea, Flora Ioan, ir

an, History of Brit Беті, 157.
Davorrama Pocas, var, итти, Bremen, Лану of Bish Forn, 197.

Dexorzzss arrısı, Hor

Var. RALEACEA: fronds sub-bipinnate ; pinnules oblong truncately obtuse, serrate at the
apex, with numer dto
the lower part of the pinnules; margin of the indusium much i h
tho spore-cases ; stipes and rachis shaggy with long tapering scales, usually of
а lustrous golden-brown, t

is hair-scales beneath; sori distinct, often sı

е of the base broader,

Liens ricis, T Moor, MS, in Her,

Var. ABEREVIATA: fronds dwarfish, gl
pinnate; pinnules large (comparatively) broad obtuse mostly decurrent,

landular, sub-bipin

ate, the pinna» concave, seareely

THE MALE FERN

noqualy стеле or амор he loben wi Dunt toes M aall
tiniserial on each side the midrib of pinnae 1 with gland

ate; pinnw deflexed, concave; pin

bluntly erenato-serrate

mules small, convex, mostly confluent,
and thus arranged

confined to the lowest anterior venule of the
midrib of the pinna; indusium somewhat

stalked glands.

eae eal

in a single serie
inflected at the margin, and beaded with (? deciduous) shor

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

Caudez largo, tufted, scaly, erect or decumbent, often in

consisting of the bases of the old fr

nds persistent around
а woody axis, from the apex of which

the growing fronds, which aro thus terminal, and adherent like th
stipes. Fibres protruding from among the bases of the fron а

coarse, dark coloured, deeply penetrating.

clothed with large scales of a narrow lanceolate attenuat li a E:
Р & male and shorter onen A
small subulate scales. A у

nation eireinate, the apex of the f
ae ho frond М liberated before the whole rachis i
"чан with a curve resembling that of a shepherd's erook.

RE PRINTING. Lastrea х - mas.

PRINTING

Lastrea Filix-mas incisa

ENS

SA

THE MALE F

RN.

Fronds averaging two or three foot in height, but varying from a foot to four or six feet, according

to ago, variety, and locality ; they grow ereetish, and when the crown is vertical are arranged in а

circlet around it; they are herbaceous, smooth, of a lively

ther deep green, somewhat paler beneath

in outline broadly lanceolate with a gradually taper

apex, or sometimes oblon

sudden acumination at the apex; bipinnate. Pinne numerous, alternate or nearly opposite, linear

gradually

iarroving towards the apex, which is acute ; the lower ones deer

asing in length from about

ich or rather more in

the middle of the frond, the lowermost measuring an th in fronds of a foot

those about the middle being three or four inches I

and a half long the lower pinte are also more

distant than those higher up. Pinnules at the base of the pinnæ di

inet or slightly connected by a

narrow wing to the rachis, notched on both sides at the base, but with а broad attachment, the first

pair somewhat larger than the rest, which are generally attached by the entire width of their base with

a very narrow sinus, and more or less combined ; oblong obtuse, £e, of equal width throughout, with

the apex rounded, slightly crenato or erenato-lobed at the margin, se

rated principally around the blunt
apes, the teeth acute but not spinulose

of a floxuous midvein bearin

Venation of the pinnules consisti Iternate branches or reins, which

are again branched once or twice, these secondary branches or renales extending nearly to the margin,

each venule (or vein) itself if simple or the anterior branch if

unified, proceeding towards the point of

one of the marginal serratures, just within which it terminates, The manner of ramifying, is, by what

led forking, which consists in the production of two branches both slightly a

nd about equally
diverging from the straight line. In the larger varieties there are more of these forkings than in the

smaller.

Fructifcation on the back of the frond, rarely extending more than half-way down, and most

copi

us on the upper third. Sor; numerous distinct, roundish-reniform, in the normal form confined to

the lower half of the pinnules, attached to the anterior venule at a short distance above its source, and

much below its te

mination, thus being medial on the vein, and forming two short lines extending

upwards from the base of the pinnæ, rather nearer the midvein than the margin. Zadusium firm,

convex, per

istent, reniform, 4. e, roundish with a posterior notch, affixed by the notch or sinus, with

an entire margin, бе, without ma

rginal glands, (except in pumila, and abbreviata, which are probably
cquiring a grayish or leaden hue as the fructification becomes matured. Spore-cases

slate.

obovate. Spores oblong, mu
Duration, Тһе rhizome is perennial, Young fronds are produced about May, which endure

throughout the summer and autumn and until destroyed by severe frost

‘This plant is the type of the modern genus Lastrea—consisting of indusiate free-veined dot-fruited

F

ns, having the indu

rm, © e. round with a no

tch in the margin, forming a sinus by which it

is affixed. The name Lastræa was first and long ago used by Bory for a sub-generie group, which,

е; the name had

neither according to ancient or modern views could be held to have any val

consequently lapsed, but was revived by Presl for the group above indicated. There is no ground

whatever for the arbitrary selection, which Mr. Newman has made, of Z. Oreopteris, as the plant to bear

Bory's name, to the exclusion о

all the other species now usually associated with it: as he himself has

deed shown by quoting Bory's subgeneric character, the application of which to this plant was an

original error of observation, or at

-ast the result of imperfect observations. Lastrea Oreopteris does,

net, much less accord with Bory’s character than do th

three Polypodies he associated with it.

Presl was the

fore quite justified when in 1836 he revived Bory's name (altering it to Lastrea) for a

proposed group which included two of Bory's five species —Thelypteris and Oreopteris,—the others being

Polypodium. Presl's genus, as we have already remarked, is rather typified by the subject

of our present plate, although it fairly includes the two species just mentioned. We must here protest

against the freak in which Mr, Newman has indulged, of scattering among the British Lastreas three

THE MALE FERN

amateur, and the dissatisfaetion
with frivolous distinctions, to the perplexity o

doubt th at this is also the Dryopteris of Adan "The bot: Ed 5 мели pis Bi
tnt eet ne ap dv ro
De: Asa Gray. ОГ tho two. hamos applied to thes planta which have thus been supported by moderna
botanical authority, we select that of Lastrea, which has been most widely adopted, and as avoiding

much needless chang: old name of Aspidium, which some
properly applied to species having peltate

retain, and with which Roth’s

Polystichum is nearly equivalent and cocval, seems mo
indusia, ns ls suggested by Swartz himself, who uses tho terms peltate and umbilicate, before those of
reform and dimidiate, all however being included by him. These, several names were judiciously

distributed twenty years since—Aspidium to the netted-veined peltate Aspidiew ; Polystichum to the

freo-veined peltate Aspidiew; and Lastrea to the free-veined reniform Aspidiew ; and no further

change, at least for the British species, is now required

When the species of Lastrea and Polystichum wero included under Aspidium they bore the English
name of Shield Fern. It is however objectionable to use the same English name for different. genera
and as the old namo of Shield Forn is more properly applied to the Polystichums, which are the most
genuino Aspidia, wo have proposed in the Handbook of British Ferns, to use for the Lastreas, the
equivalent name of Buckler Fern, which is here also adopted,

‘The common Male Fern cannot well be mistaken for any other native species. It has been formerly
confounded with Z. cristata, but the two have no very close aflinity, and the only resemblance occurs in
а form of Fili-mas, not common, in which the lower pinne are triangular. The Incised variety is in
some respects like Z. rigida, but obviously different in many others

‘The Incised Male Fern—L. Рилхомдя 1xca—(Prare ХУ.) is altogether а larger and more striking
plant than the normal form, more robust, averaging three or four feet, and sometimes reaching six feet
in height, with a stipes of five or six inches. The fronds in unfolding liberate the point, which becomes

nt Tike the curve of a shepherd's erook, as in the common plant; they are distinctly bipinnat
lanceolate, not contracting abruptly near the apex. The pinn are elongate, tapering gradually to the

apex. The pinnulos are somewhat less closely placed ; the basal ones notched, often deeply, on cach

side their base, thus having a narrow attachment, elongately pyramidate-oblong, broadest at the base
and with a narrowed though rounded apex ; the rest more broadly attached, and more equal in width

the margins more or less deeply inciso-lobate, the lobes three to five-toothed. ‘The venation is more

highly developed, thus: a vein is directed up the centre of each lobe, and this bears alternately
several venules; but the sori are, notwithstanding, produced only on the anterior basal venule of
ench faseicle, so that, as in the normal form, they are ranged in а single line on each side the midvein,
commonly extending, however, much nearer to the apex of the pinmulo, "The indusium is here reniform
in tho other, convex, entire, and persistent, ularly deformed monstrous leafy
developments of this variety constitute the Aspidium depastum of Schkuhr. This variety is probably
equally common with the type form, and appears as widely dispersed ; it is certainly found in the
south and south-western, the midland and the northern counties of England; in Wales; in the east
and south-west of Scotland ; in the Channel Isles; and about Kingstown, Dublin, Ireland, whence it has
been sent to us by R. Esq. Our figure necessarily represents a small and therefore less
characteristic specimen,

The Dwarf Malo Fern—L. Ётых-мдв roxnt—(Pure XVII) is permanently smaller, and Jess
Ч than the normal plant, It usually grows from nine inches to a foot in height, und rarely
when very vigorous, reaches the height of а foot and a half, The stipes is two to three inches Jong, tho
fronds lanceolate, pinnate ; the pinnae short, bluntish, and pinna

|

0 йу) 2,

71
i.

^y

y

pa AE

(TING. A. Lastrea Filix-mas cristata. В. L.Filix-mas polydactyla.

THE MALE F

RN

lobes small oblong-obtuse, obscurely erenated, с

nvex, but recurved at the poin

that the pinnae are

concave, the points of the pinnse being also recurved, so that the frond itself is concavo, Тһе venation

is comparatively simple; the midvein, which is carried up each lobe, produces veins of whieh the lower

are once forked, the upper simple, In fronds of ordinary growth, scarcely any but the anterior branch

of the lowest anterior vein in each lobe or

nule bears а sorus, the sori then forming an almost simple

line on each side the midrib of the pinnae about even with the sinuses of the pinnules, When however
the growth is very luxuriant, a few of the basal pinnules bear two, three, or four sori each, but even in
these cases, the sori form two simple series for moro than half the length of the pinnae. ‘The indusium
is convex, reniform, persistent, and its margin is somewhat inflected beneath the spore-cases, and beaded

with short-stalked deciduous, probably, glands, This rare Fern appears to have been brought from

Snowdon, and has been recently found near Llyn Ogwen by Mr. S. O. Gray, It seems really to offer

specific differences, in its constantly small size, the direction of the pinnw and pinnules, the peculiar

distribution of the sori, the glandular inflected indusium, and in the important character of vernation

In the process of unrolling its fronds, nothing like the shepherd's erook form is seen, but the rachis

gradually unrols from the base to the apex. It is also reproduced from the spores, although that

alone is not evidence of its distinctness, On the other hand, the gene

1 form of the parts, and of the

sori and indusia, agree with diminutive examples of the Male Fern, The fresh fronds are fragrant, in

consequence no doubt of the presence of numerous small glands on their surface ; the f

ance having
something of the sweetness of Mignonette
he Abbreviated Male Fern—L, Еплх-мав arme viara—is one of the permanently smaller forms, and

is probably specifically distinct ; though the Dwarf Male Fern has many characters in common with it

and the two are perhaps forms of one subalpine species. The present is however a larger plant, with

considerably larger, broader, and therefore coarser lookin

pinnules, and although they are to some extent

recurved, yet they are by no means so fully nor so constantly so, as in Z. pumila, This also has the

fronds, at least while young, glandular and fragrant

The Golden-scaled Male Fern—L. Frux-was pareacea—(Prare XVIL) differs from the normal
form, most obviously in its colour which is a yellowish green, and in the abundance of the lustrous
golden-tinted scales, which clothe its stipes and rachis, so densely that their rich colouring is
always conspicuous, but most so on inspecting the back of the frond. ‘The same plant seems
1 that of Dr. Wallich in the East Indies; and by

to have attracted Mr. Lowe's notice in Madeira

its peculiar scaliness serves also to connect the common European Fiiz-mas, with some South

American Ferns to which other names have been given. The outline of the frond, the pinne and

the pinnules, ms of the common plant; that is, the fronds are

like that of the less developed fi

broad lanceolate, the pinnze pinnate only at their base, the pinnules oblong, obtuse, serrated at the apex,
with a broad attachment. Mr. Wollaston points out, that the rachis and midyeins are more or less

tinged with purple, but this also occurs sometimes in inci. Тһе sori are often, if not always, smaller

nd the indusium before maturity, and even when the spore-cases are ripening, has its margins very

much inflected beneath them, so that, when reversed, it is seen to have the form of a little pouch,

just in fact like that presented by one of the leaflets of Cheilanthes lendigera, In the common and

incised forms of Filix-mas, the margin of the indusium is merely bent down straight, a little sloping

outwards till it comes in contact with the surface of the pinnule, ‘The plant appears not uncommon, but

its range is not fully known. It is, in part, from the Indian forms of this plant—forms in which we can

detect no difference except the darker colour of their scales, and their somewhat larger growth—that

Prof. Braun has constituted his genus Dichasium, which is characterised by having *biseutelloid" indusia,

which are indusia of roundish outline with a sinus extending upwards beyond the centre, so that the

lobes look like two flaps We have ascertained from a careful examination of Dr. Wallich’s specimens
that this appearance of the indusia is merely the result of age. In the younger and perfect stato the

rior noteh or sinus, and very much inflected

indusium is round, convex, with а p ins, just as

THE MALE FERN

шлш Rack pias AG cas epe oun ی ی‎ (her hd ИШ toc et о SYS

= d 1 nd the result is that tho edge becomes split opposit
consequence of its constricted margin, and the resu
"Tho indusium ia then pushed up by the advancing spore-cases, the upper margin И Pam Y |
nearer the attachment, and the two halves assume tho appearance which attrac
attention of Prof. Braun. Exactly the same structure of indusium occurs othe

to this supposed genus—a Columbian plant collected by Hartweg:
"Tho culture of the Male Fern is not at all еше. It may be
almost any kind of soil, the best being a sandy loam, moist, but not wet

effet al ady walks, in woods and wilderness scenery, and on shady rockwork. ty incio

is the most striking, where effect only, and not variety quire ample

space, and should be plunged outdoors in winter. It is increased by division.

Tho following is an enumeration of the principal variations. For most of the memoras

indebted to Mr. Wollaston ; who, it is right to state, considers our varieties paleacea and pum
distinct species and refers the variety cristata—tho most important of the whole in an ornamental
point of view—as a variety to the former

1. paleacea (М) This variety, called Borreri by Mr. Newman, and ps Wollaston,
is sub-bipinnate, the lower pinnules only being distinct ; the pinnules ar y-obtuse
and serrated at the apex. It differs from the normal plant in being of a yellowish hue, somewhat
glaucous b and in having its stipes and rachis quite shaggy, with lus
It also differs, as already mentioned, in having the purple ribs and veins, and in the
indusium being inflected beneath the spore-cases, It is a widely dispersed, and
uncommon forn

2. multifida (W.). This form of variation shows itself in the typical А Я 1 as in the
golden-senled type to which tho present is referred. ‘The peculiarities с рек of
the frond, and of more or fewer of the pine being bifid or multi; and the pinna
occasionally depauperated to a mero rib. It t quite permanent under cultivat
nearly so.

3. eristata QU). This very beautiful aberration, also referrible to the
analogous in character to the Athyrium Filie-femin
beautiful. The apex of the frond and the apices of the pinne
beautifully and uniformly tufted or tasselled ; the pinnae are also sonen

Charleston, near St. Austell, in Cornwall. Other plants resembling th

and Staffordshire, Like all other permanent varieties, this is produ

from the spore
4. prolifera (№). This was raised from f the variety cristata, and resembl 1

tasselled, but it is much x as well as depauperated, and laciniated hief peculiarity

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24
ВО AIE -

URE PRINTING. A. Lastrea Filix- mas pumila ; B. L.Filix- mas paleacea .

THE MALE FERN

consists in its bearing bulbils, generally on the external side of the stipes, near its junetion with the

tufted caudex. Probably in old plants the viviparous character will be more abundantly developed,

5. dichotoma (№). This is a multifid variation of the normal Filir-mas, exact

corresponding in its

peculiarities with the variety mudtifida, already noticed, in having the apex of the frond and of all or

the greater part of the pinnw two-cleft or many-cleft, the pinnæ ocensi

nally depauporated. It is only

sub-permanent, Tt differs from multifida &c., in the absence of the golden scales, and the other marks
of the paleacea group.

6. incisa (М). Аз already expla

ned, this is a larger plant than the normal form, of which it is

probably the full development, It is distinctly bipinnate; the pinnules elongate, narrowed upwards,
and usually bearing sori nearly their whole length. It is a common and very ornamental plant, with

am erect stately habit, A very large and handsome form of this variety, with the pinnules more

distant, narrow, and eloi
wi

te than usual, as well as somewhat faleate, has been gathered in the Isle c

ht, by Mr, A. б. More and the Rev. W. Н. Hawker

7. erasa (W.. This, which is doubtless the Aspidium depastum of Schkuhr, is dist

inguished by the

irregularly laciniate form of the рішше and pinnules, giv

& the appearance of having been nibbled by

insects. It is occasionally multifid at the

es of the frond and pinn, but not uniformly so. It is
fertile and sub-permanent,

8. deorso-lobata (М). A lar

owing variation of the incisa group. The pinnules are oblong

and obtuse, the basal ones with а narrow attachment ; the margins of the basal ones are more or less

inciso-lobate, with the lobes serrated, and the lower posterior one much

occurs in various lesser degrees in most of the comm

states of this type.

are more ог less inciso-serrate. This is the variety “spinosum ” of the earlier editions of Mx, F

Analysis of British Ferns (under Aspidium), but is not at all spinose. It appears to be comm

to be in fact one of the two Та

y forms into which the species is commonly developed, the

characteristics of the two being sometimes united in one plant. The Rev. W. A. Leighton appears to

have first noticed the peculiar lobing ; his specimens

athered twenty years since are from Bomere and

desea. We have also seen

Sutton in Shropshire, and from А)

Callende

peeimens from Ballyvaughan in Ireland,

in Scotland, Bedale in Yorkshire, Black Park in Bucks, Maidstone and Cobham in Kent,

Albury in Surrey, Epping in Essex, Lynn in Norfolk ; as well as from Jersey and Guernsey

9. producta (М. This is а very striking variety, somewhat analogous to incisa, being like it a

large growing plant, with fronds at least three feet long and ten inches broad, and also n

mbling it

the divided condition of the pinnules, which are however much more deeply divided. The frond is

lanceolate ; the lowest pair of pinne two inches and a half long, triangular a

the next are

gular elo nearly two inehes across the bi

more than four inches long, tria

se, gradually

per part of the frond, though narrower at the

yg to a sharp elongated. point ; those in the w

го also triangular elongate, the base being broadest, thi

igh in the uppermost the sides become

more nearly pa

allel. "The pinnules throughout are elongated, deeply pinnatifid, and narrow upwards

to the apex, their outline being that of a narrow cone or pyramid; this, together with the deep and

conspicuous lobing, gives to the plant a very distinct appearance mules, which are

cut down more than half way to the midrib, have an attachment so narrow as to resemble a mere

winged petiole ; the rest, half way up the pinnas though adnate are attached by less than their whole

width. "The lobes of the pinnules are obscurely serrated at the end. "The sori are confined to the upper
1

central than the basal portion of th

third of the frond; and on the only frond we have seen have a manifest tendency to occupy rather the

pinnules: that is, they are distant from the base on those pinnules

which occupy the lower half of the fertile pinna. This variety was found by the Rev. W. A. Leighton,

at Wrekin, in Shropshire

10, triangularis (ML). This form belongs to the incisa group, but has something of the aspect of

FERN

THE MAUI

w sti ereetish fronds, and especially for the unequally

EEEREN socially ; these having—as indeed the

Lastrea cristata, bein

triangular outline of a few of the lower pinnae, the lowest pair esp

pulosa than that which usually occurs in

whole frond has—much more the outline met with in Z. sp
ish and all but the bas а
the enlarged posterior basal lobe, which occurs in

1 ones adnate or decurrent; they are

L. Pilicmas, The pinnules are N

inciso-serrate or lobed, and they sometimes show

lebted for speci

deorso-tobata, Tt has been found in several parts of Kent, from whence we are I

to Dr. Allehin.

to the педа group. The pinnae
11. polydactyla (ME). This is a tasselled form of Filiz-mas, referriblo to th р Г

istata, nor do they narrow much until quite close to the tassel

nules are incised, and the basal ones have a tendency to

which terminates each of them. The p

dilatation. "The apex of the frond in moro or less tuted. Here and there a frond has ita apex more

„diy tasselled, and the pinn themselves more normal, merely indicating а tendency to division ;
laceration both in the pinna» and.

d

while occasionally a frond is produced in which the tendency to |

It was found at Bromsgrove, in Worcestershire,

xeess, becoming

pinnules is carried t grotesque

was communicated by B. Maund, Esq.

m exceeding a foot in height, and its young.

form, se

abbreviata (E

>). This is a dwarf grow

næ scarcely again pinnate, the lowest

nt, It is pinnate; the p

fronds are glandul

der always decurrent ; the points of the pinnules

pinnules only being sometimes separated, the г
о concave. "The pinnulos are large for the

are turned upwards so that the upper surface of the pin

size of the plant, broad, rounded at the apes, the m Шуу erenate, or erenato-lobate, the lobes

having blunt obscure teoth. It is allied to the variety pumila, but differs in the larger size of its
pinnules, which gives it a coarser aspect, and it is not so much recurved. The sori are for the most
part uniserial on each side the midrib of the pinnae; and have indusia which at least while fresh, are

margined with

ds, as in pumila, Tt is rare, having been found in the Snowdon and Lake districts
and at Ingleborough and Teesdale, and Wyck in Gloucestershire
13. pumila (М). This а permanently small dwarf

lant, remarkable among other characteristics,

for the recurving of the points of its pinnas and of its pinnules, which give to its upper surfa

concave appearance, The pinnas are blunt, rather deflexed, and scarcely ever more than deeply

pinnatifid, the basal pinnnles only beh

sometimes, but rarely, semi-detached. ‘The pinnules or

segments are small, oblong, obtuse, е

x, and bear a single sorus near their base on the anterior

side; the sori, therefore, forming a simple series along the pinne on each side their rachis or midrib,

Tt is only when the plant is very luxuriant that two

* three sori are borne on each of the basal

pinnules, but even then not so as to disturb the

general uniserial arrangement. "he fronds are
glandular, at least when young, and

ant. Mr. Wollaston finds it sometimes

ichotomousl

divided at the apex. Tt seems confined to North Wales, and to alpine localities

14. subintegra М). This variety, which occurs in the late Mr. Winch's herbarium, belon

the Linnean Society, is doubtless а form

мау allied to pumila and abbreviate. As in them
the fronds are glandular, d

1 merely pinnate; the pinna

© short and very obtuse, pinnatifid
half way down into blunt oblong lobes (not merely sinunted, as Mr

ewman’s figure indicates).

The sori are large, and form a single line on eae

h side the midvein, about equidi
the margin. The frond has a very narrow lance-shaped outline

ant from it and
It is stated by Dr, Johnstone

to have been gathered, long since, in abundance, by the Rev, J,

rd, at Ennis, in the county of
Clare, Ireland. `

E Ртлте ХУШ.
THE RIGID BUCKLER FERN (Lasmra rema).

гә LASTREA, Presl.

i rotundate with a posterior notch ; attached by the sinus or notch, the margin
Worm ing to the apex; pinnules oblong, blunt, lobed, the segments broad rounded,

НЕ А а
= аятта шотты, Presl, Tentamen Pterido 5 Babington, Manwal of British Bota
un T pun їй. 818; not of Linnmus or Hudson.
= Ея
Poryerteuvw арі м, De С

5 y EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

К Caudez thick, scaly, tufted, decumbent, formed of the bases of the decayed fronds closely surrounding

а woody axis, to the apex o

which the fronds are attached and adherent. Seales Innceolate attenuate,

and lincar-lance!

olate, or subulate, Fibres long wiry branched, dark-coloured

Stipes short, about one-third of the length of the entire frond, sometimes more, thickened at the
base, glandular, densely clothed with long subulate or lincar-Ianccolate narrow-pointed, membranous,

scales intermixed with broader

all of a reddish-brown colour; the seales become smalle

less abundant upwards, Rachis furnished with seattered hair-like scales; b

h primary and secondary
rachides bearing numerous short-stalked translucent glands

ER FERN

THE RIGID BUCK

Vernation eirein
ғ

young with numerous minute

dunt greon, paler boneath, the surface sprinkled over while

d from one to two foot high, fr
spherical shortstalked almost sessile gla
time impart а slight but peculiar

ds, which give it then

1 at the same
mally elongately triangular, the lower

glaucous hue, n E

«ish, bipinnate, us

ening to tho apex; sometimes, how

mewhat the longest, and the rest gradually shor

‚poste, distinctly triangular,

evor, the outline is lanceolate. Pinna alternate, the lo

most narrowly triangular, e
the middle ones more or less oblong with а tapering point, the upper 1

uncate at the base, obtuse а

tapering from the base upwards, Pinnules oblong or ovate-oblong

pinnatifid ; the lobes oblong
tho apex, the lower ones shortly stalked, the upper adnate, deeply pinna на; th

out five teeth, which are acute but not spinulose

notched, the upper with about two, the lower with a

д alternately, so as to throw a
Venation of the pinnules consisting of a sinuous midvein, branching Т

а venule extending up towards

vein into each lobe; each of these veins branches so as to produco

». "The lower anterior venule is fertile

Fraction on tho baek of the frond, oorupying about the upper halt. Sor rather largo ro nd,

fate, medial on the basal anterior

numerous and occupying the whole length of the pinnules, indu

crowded and often confluent

vein, becom

venules, forming a line on each sido of and near to the mi

rer the whole central portion of the pinnules, ndusivm lend-coloured, firm membranaceous

persistent, convex, reniform te. round with a posterior sinus by which it is affixed, glandular both on

the surface and at the margin, with stalked glands, Spore-cases numerous, brown, obovate, Spores

oblong, muriculate.
Duration. The caudex is perennial. ‘The fronds are annual, produced in spring and perishing in

autumn.

This species may be known from those to which it is allied by several characteristics. ‘The fronds

‚enerally broadest at the base, always covered with minute glands, which give

asant balsamic fragrance, often appreciable in the vicinity

of the living plants during sunshine

‘The outline of the pinnules—bluntly oblong—different from that which occurs in any other native

species, is most nearly approached by

me states of the Incised Маје Рог, and the serratures, as in

that species, are not at all spinulose or awn-tipped, but are short and merely acute ; but from that it is
distin

guished by its size, its outline, its glandular surface, and its glandular-fr

d indusium. It can

hardly be mistaken for any other of the Lastreas, nearly all the rest of which have spinulose serratures.

‘The culture of this Forn is very similar to tha

of the other larger growing kinds, It grows well in

free well-drained loamy soil; and the faet of its range bein

almost if not quite confined to limestone

is that the use of limestone among the soil m

be beneficial, thou,

hit is certainly not
essential to succe

shoul

It is of far more importance that the soil should be kept moderately moist, and
be of such a texture, as may

tho same time prevent any accumulation of stagnant water. Tt

is increased by separating the lateral crowns formed by the caudex. "The latter is the better for being.

somewhat elevated above the soil in planting, for being decumbent in habit, it does not when planted.

deeply liberate its crown so readily as the more

roct-babited species,

Mr. Wollaston notices a variation in which the fronds or the pinne aro simply or multifdly divided
at the apes, but it is not a c 7

tant variety

EOL to t

Lastrea rigida.

SUR

Pares XIX. ХХ.

URN (Lasrrea CRISTATA).

THE CRESTED BUCKLER |

LASTREA, Presl.

Clusters of Spore-cases eireular, medial or subterminal on the venules, covered by an

indusium, or membranous scale. Jndusium reniform, ŭe, more or less regularly
rotundate with a posterior notch; attached by tho sinus or notch, the margin

ш free. Veins simple, forked, or pinnate; venules direct, disun

becomin са at

their extremities

L. cristata: fronds erect, narrow linear-oblong, sub-bipinnate (or bipinnate); pinna»
short triangular, with oblong pinnules or segments, which are nearly always

connected at the base, crenato-serrate, or obscurely lobed, with aristato teeth ;

ant id. posterior basal pinnules on the lower pinnae nearly equal; scales of

the stipes ovate, pallid, scattered ; indusium without n

оре, TI. Deakin, Пит
Manvel df British Botar

———— RH

Desorc eum, 4. rey, M

Var. vuorsosa: fronds various: early fertile ones tall, erect, narrow, linear-lanecolate,
mules,

to, inciso-serrato, or lobed p

bipinnate below, with ol

state incurved teeth; barren ones shorter, with oblong bluntish
oblong bluntish

having a
pinnules, adnate or decurrent ; later fertile ones broader, wit

crenato-serrate pinnules; anterior and posterior basal pinnules of the lowest
pinnae nearly equal in size

Var. векова: soo Lasrera sercorosa (Plate XXI).

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

THE CRESTED BUCKLER FERN

a horizontal direction, the

Cauder stoutish, decumbent, or slowly creeping, è «. extending in
fronds of 1 being in advance of those of the preceding one; branched, searecly tufted,

decayed fronds surrounding a woody

somewhat scaly, formed of the enlarged living bases of the
axis. Seales similar to those of the stipes. Fibres numerous, coarse, dark brown, branched,

+ terminal and adherent to the caudex, about one-third of the entire length of the frond, stout,

shining, dark brown at the base, the brown blending with green upwards, sparsely scaly, with broad

ovato membranous pale-brown scales, which are for the most part appressed, and are most numerous

near the base. Jtachis stout, channelled in front, almost free from scales, pale green.

Vernation circinate, the pinnse lying flat against the sides of the incurved rachis

narrow linoar-oblong

tap

Frond from one to three feet high, herbaceous, dull green, erect

rous, the lower

at the apex, scarcely at all narrowed at the baso, sub-bipinnate, Pinne num

distant, sub-opposite, broad triangular, two inches long, an inch and a half broad at the base; the

Iternate, elongate triangular, those near the middle of the frond measuring

д, and nearly an inch and a quarter broad at the base ; all shortly

about two and а half in

stalked, the stalk twisted so that their upper surface is directed towards the apex of the frond. Pinnules

oblong, bluntish, all moro or less adnate, and connected by the wing of the rachis; the basal ones only,

and these only on highly developed fronds, having a narrow attachment, pinnatifidly lobed, the lobes

в are inciso-crenate at the margin, serrate

serrate, with spinulose teeth; the rest of the pinnu
at tho apex, the crenatures serrated, and all the serraturos tipped by a spinuloso point ; the posterior

basal pinnules are

rely larger than the anterior ones of the same pinna. The late summer and

autumnal fronds have broader and larger pinnules

Venation of the pinnules consisting of a flosnons midvein, which throws off nein into each lobe

these veins bear several venules, which are either simple or forked, and are directed one towards

tin

each tooth, termin

within the margin in a somewhat thickened point. Usually only the anterior
basal venule of each fascicle bears a sorus, but oceasionally on the lowest pinnules the posterior basal

venue also is fertile, The veins

re conspicuously depressed on the upper surface

Fructification on the back of tho fronds, usually confined to the upper half, but sometimes

extending lower down. Sori numerous, round, indusinte, п

on the anterior basal venules,

row on each sido of and nearer to the midrib than the margin, except in the most luxuriant

pinnules, where the development of s

n the posterior venules produces a more irregular arrange-

mont. Jndusivm membranaceous, reniform, flat, with a wavy, somewhat irregular margin, but

without

jands, affixed by а deep basal sinus. Spore-cases numerous, dark brown, roundish.

Spores oblong, muriculate
Duration. The caudex is perennial. The fronds aro annual, the earliest produced in May, succeeded

by others during the summer, all destroyed by the autumnal frosts, or eventually. perish

if not
exposed,

Lastrea cristata, with the plants called uliginosa and spinulosa, form

habit i ~ х

nd other characters from the

lied 44

У latata д
ala group, with which, however, the more highly
developed form, spinulosa, is sometimes associated by botanists of hi o

doubt, of th : :

plants having been studied in the herbarium, where their differences become less marked

rather than in a state of growth, in which the most important char

ters are obvious, OF this group

L. cristata is the least developed form. We have in the Handbook of

itish Ferns (see p. 114)

(
LENA || |
~ AN ШУ

д?
\ К
ima NS NON ЧУ ys

PRINTING Lastrea cristata.

M

E 4
& So Et,
EN

у
^
i
a
4 т
0) \
] T !
*- !
+
A
ШЕ
ж 1
eha
А
|
de г

Е PRINTING. Lastrea cristata uliginosa .

THE CRESTED BUCKLER F

RN.

treated all three as forms of one species; and that they have a clo

natural affinity which separates
them from the forms of Z. dilatata, we have no doubt whatever, however similar to the latter, in some

cases, may be the degree and mode of division in the fronds. "Thei

inity is evidenced by marks far

more important t

an those to be derived from such inconstant characters as are the outline or division

of the fronds: namely, by the creeping

des, by the sparse and pallid broad appressed scales, and
у 1 Г

by the erect narrow fronds, and entire indusia, in all which they agree. In these points they

differ more or less obviously, and in the case of the first-named absolutely, from the dilatata group.

Without at all disturbing the convietion which led us to regard these plants as varieties of one species,
we however propose here, in deference to the more commonly received opinion, to treat of Z. spinulosa
separately

The La:

rea uliginosa of Newman (Prate ХХ.) we must still regard as a variety of L., eristata,

the only marked difference, in truth, being that its earlier fertile fronds have the pinnules more

asly lobed and toothed

acute, and more eonspiew and that the d

poney in size between the anterior

and posterior basal pinnules is a degree more manifest. It has a stout decumbent caudex, and erect

lincar-lanccolate fronds, two to four feet high, and bipinnate at the base of the pinna. Three kinds of

fronds are borne by the plants, but they are not all simultaneous in their appearance, nor constantly

produced; and though different they are not strikingly dissimilar, like the barren and fertile fronds of

some other Ferns, The enrly fronds of the st

nger crowns are fertile, and with them sometimes but

теп, the latter

not always appear others which are smaller and b

m produced from small lateral

crowns, but also so

is from the same crown which produces the fertile ones; whilst later in the

season other fronds with bı

ader and blunter pinnules are borne, these being sometimes fertile,

sometimes barren, Thus, the early barren fronds are small, spreading, pinnate, with decurrent oblong

obtuse pinnules, and resemble small barren fronds of

istata, ‘The summer fronds are also eristata-like
large, with decurrent oblong obtuse pinnules, and very frequently fertile, ‘The fertile fronds produced

in spring are more like spinulosa ; they grow quite erect, and are linear-lanceolate, bipinnate, the basal

pinnules distinct, all the pinnae stalked, and set on so that their upper surface is turned towards the

point of the frond. The pinna» are elongate triangular, the

‚wor ones being shorter, broader, an

oblique, the first posterior pinnule being an inch, the anterior one three-fourths of an inch long

basal pinnules of the middle рішше are distinct, oblong, acute, pinnatifidly lobed, the lobes sharply

rate with longish spinulose or arist the upper p

anules are adnate and sharply and deeply
serrate. The fructification extends over the whole frond, but is most copious towards the top, where it
forms two lines near the midrib on the smaller pinnules, being confined to the anterior basal venules

whilst it becomes confuse

а the lan

g produced in two series on the

lobes, both anterior and posterior venules being there fertile, ‘The caudex branches sparingly. The
fronds are said to appear several days earlier than those of Æ. eristata, but our cultivated plants have
never shown any regularity in this respect, some plants preceding, others following Z. cristata, although

all cireumstanced alike. We consider this plant more closely allied to Z. eristata than to La spinul
because its vernation agrees more exactly with the former, and because neither its early barren fronds

or its lat

fertile ones can be certainly distinguished from analogous fronds of Z. eristata, whilst, on

the other hand, n

such erístata-like fronds are produced by L. spinulosa, ‘The special attention of

English botani

s was drawn to this plant by Mr. John Lloyd, a few years since ; and our figure is

taken from a plant brought by him from Oxton bog, Nottinghamshire

Both these Ferns grow readily in peaty soil, with abundant

isture ; and though not remarkable

for elegance, they are yet useful in

rouping on account of their upright habit of growth. They are

increased with tolerable facility by the separation of the lateral erowns when produced.

‘The species and va

occasional multifid variations. In both the varia

tly in the division of the apices of the pinnze, rather than that of the apex of the frond, which is

rarely affected. ‘They however do not rank as pr

manent varieties.

Piare ХХІ.

THE NARROW PRICKLY-TOOTHED BUCKLER FERN

(LASTREA SPINULOSA).

LASTREA, Presl.
= eirenlar, medial or subterminal on the venules, covered by an
anous scale, Гай arly
ied by the sinus or notch, the margin
becoming free. Veins simple, forked, or pinnate; venules direct,
their extremities.

m reniform, ie, more or less reg

posterior notch

mited at

L.srisurosa: fronds ereet, narrow obl

g-lanceolate, bipi

ate; pinne elongate
ate or pinnatifid with
aristately toothed lobes; posterior basal pinnules of the lower pinnae much

gular, oblique ; pinnules oblo

larger than the anterior ones: seales of the stipes few, ovate, pallid; indusium

under Pato XIX]

Candes stoutish, decumbent or slowly creeping in an horizontal direction, witi

the frond:

erect from its apex ; branched, sometimes more or less tufted, slightly sealy, formed of the enlarged and

ases of the decayed fi ding

roody axis, Seales resembling those of the stipes.

branched, dark

minal and adherent to the caudex, nearly as long as the leafy part of the frond, stoutish,

own-purple at the base ; sparsely scaly, with broad-ovate membranous pale-brown scales of

PRICKLY-TOOTHED BUCKLER FERN

THE NARROW

Jes are most numerous. near the base,
appressed ; the scales are

which many become at length more or
4, scarocly at all scaly, palo green, smooth.
s simply circinate, but in other cases

Rachie
Vernation eireinate ; sometimes in this plant th

rudis

besides the ordinary involution, there is also a lateral curvature ; tho pinna» and pinnules aro all separately

Frond from two to four or five feet in he
йите numerous, opposi

lanceolate tapering at the apex, bipinnate

ко; the lower ones distant, obliquely triangular, from the greater size

becoming more alternate ab
ght) about four

imens, two feet or upwards in he
spec

the base, of which latter the posterior pinnules mensure nearly

inches in length, and three inches ac
istant and narrower, of an elongate triangular outline, those just

two inches; the upper ones are less

1 at the base,

above the middle, measuring four and a half inches long, and barely two inches b

arly equal size. ‘The pinnw are stalked, frequently

where the posterior and anterior pinnules are

per surface towards the apex of the

m twisted so as to turn their upp

more or less drooping, and.

frond, but this peculiarity is less marked than in the allied Z. cristata and its variety. Pinnules oblong

mes with a short stalk-like attachment, the upper more or less

cute, broadest at the base, the low

adnate; the basal pinnules (of the pinnæ half-way up the fertile fronds) pinnatifid almost to the

points are

s strongly serrated, with spinulose teeth, wh

midrib, with oblong acute lobes, the I

x of the lobe, and often curved upwards above the plane of the surface of the.

obe; the upper pinnules are either inciso-lobate with spinulosely serrate lobes, or coarsely serrate with

spinuloso teeth. The barren fronds usually, and some of the fertile ones, are broader and more lax in

nts assume this character

habit than those above described, and sometimes entire p
ofa

£ fertile pinna» near tho centre of the frond,) consi

Venation of the pinnules (the basal ones
stout midvein, from which a primary vein extends into each lobe, where it forms a flexuous secondary

‘on the short anterior fork of which, nearly at its point, and

midvein, bearing alternate forked ven

standing just beneath the sinus of the serrature, the sorus is placed, the sori then forming two rows

along the lobes of the pinnules, In the less divided pinnules at the middle of the pinna, the prim

o in this case bears the sorus, n

midvein produces branched reins, and the anterior basal eenule

to its termination, so that tho sori then form two lines a

the pinnule itself, This latter being the

structure of the greater number of pinnules, the general aspect of tho fructification is to form two line

lengthwise on the pinnule, The venules are directed ono towards each serrature, but terminate before

reaching it, in a thickened point

Pructiication on the back of the frond, usually ос

urring on the upper half, hut sometimes extending

over the whole surface, Sort numerous, round, indusiate, medial, or subterminal on the anterior basal

venules, (or on several venules in the deeply pinnatifid basal pinnules) forming a line on each side the

ually distinct, but often crowded. Zndusinan flat, reniform, membranous, persistent, with a

tions, but without glands, Spore-cases brown, numerous,
rotundate. Spores oblong, muriculate

Duration, The caudex is perennial. The fronds

nual, the first growth appearing early ін May
amd others growing up at intervals through the summer; they perish in autumn when exposed, but

under shelter, though decaying near the base

of the stipes so as to be unable to sta

nevertheless retain much of their freshness through the winter; and the extreme by

we of the stipes

ты

stipes, and by the absence of glands from the margin of its indusium,

plant is known from Z. dilatata, by its creeping eaudex, by the few broad pallid se

es of its

"The connecting link between it

and Z. dilatata is the L. glandulosa of Newman, which latter, as far as our knowledge of it extends,

has neither the ereeping eaudex nor the entire indusium of Z. spinulosa, and differs also in the

RE PRINTING Lastrea spmulosa.

THE NARROW PRICKLY-TOOTHED BUCKLER FE

abundant. glands which cover it, though this latter is a character of comparatively little value, f

common forms of Z. dilatata, in no other respect distinguishable, are found both covered with and free
from glands, L. spinulosa is less easily distinguished by the precise and important characters afforded

by the caudex, th

scales, and the indusia, from Z. eristata ; though perhaps more readily separated

by the eye from that, than from imperfect specimens of Z. dilatata, with which, in some of its forms,

it agrees in the variable, and therefore less important character of the subdivision of its parts. From

L. cristata itself, L. spinulosa may be known, by the short triangular, and less divided pinne of the

former, and by their blunter, less deeply toothed pinnules ; but from the variety whiginosa it is in some

nas bei

of its states much loss easily known, the greater inequality of the pinnules on its lower pi s
almost the only difference, if we except the cristata-like fronds of uliginosa—and the latter are not always
p

we are forced to the conclusion that they are all three in reality mero va

mt. Indeed so closely do these merge into cach other by means of transition forms of frond, that

ions from one specifie type.

"There are two versions of the specifie name of this plant in use a British botanists-

spinosa

and spinulosa. We advisedly use the latter. Тһе former has been revived by recent authors, on the

grounds that Roth who employed itin Flora Germanica (1800), was the first to correctly define the plant

from its ally Z. dilatata, and that Müller in the Flora Danica has “misprinted” spinulosa for Weiss’

name of spinosa, and under it figured the plant we now call Z. eristata, Weiss’ name Polypodium
Filizfamina var, spinosa, as that of a variety merely, and altogether so incorrect, has no claim to notice

Müller describes, but witho

name, and very well figures, two рїшше of Z. spinnlosa in the Flora

Pridvichsdalina (1767), and his later figure in Flora Danica (1777), where he names it Polypodium

spinulosum, is an exact representation of our Z. spinulosa, and not of 2. cristata, We therefore

llow the

neither subscribe to the assumption that Müllers name is a misprint, nor can wo

лос over Roth.
a of

sum as defined by Swartz in his Synopsis Filicum (p. 420) is the plant of

jade on behalf of Weiss’ name; while Müller has by many years the preced

Equally, as we believe,

го those writers in error, who deny that this plant is the Zastrea spinul

Presl. Aspidium spinu
Müller's

ures; and Swartz moreover quotes Schk

hr's t, 48, which admirably depicts Z. spinulosa,

excepting in the detached

wes of indusia, d and e, these latter being evidently erroneous, for

glandular indusia have, we believe, never been found on the true spinulosa, which the figure otherwise so

perfectly represents, that it must be Z. spinulo I

s and cannot be L. dilatata, Swartzs plant, there

wo maintain, is Z. sp

inulosa (our Piare XXL), not 2, dilatata, and Presl's is simply Swartzs with

а new genere name, We thus arrive at the conclusion, that our English plant, the most divided of

the three forms we refer to Za cristata, is the L. spinulosa of Presl, the Aspidium spinulosum of
Swartz, and the Polypodium spinulosum of Müller, and we reject the far less appropriate name of
spinosa, for which there is no admissible authority antecedent to that of Roth—nor even subsequent,

for it has been all but universally rejected since his day

‘The cultivation of this Fern accords precisely with that of Z. eri

ta, and uliginosa ; and though,

like them, no

ranking among the most graceful of our large-growing Ferns, it has like them a certain

degree of character, and is not inclegant

Mr. Wollaston notices two variations of this plant: 1. multifida, in which the fronds are occasion:

simply forked at the apex; it is not permanent under cultivation. 2. Zaeiniata ; in which the fronds

are curiously jagged.

Prares XXII, XXIII. XXIV. XXV. XXVI.

THE BROAD PRICKLY-TOOTHED BUCKLER FERN

(LASTREA DILATATA).

LASTREA, Presl.

dial or

ases circular

rminal on the venules, covered by an
more or les

us or notch, the margin

t, disunited at

dusium, or membranous scale. Zndusium reniform, i
rotundate with а po
becoming free. Veins simple, forked, or pinnate; venules dire

ior notch ; attached by the si

their extremities

L. prrarara: fronds ovate, sub-tr

r, or oblong-lanceolate, bipinnate, with tho
nosely mucronato-serrate ; scales of the stipes

iate, usually dark-eentred ;

pinnules pinnate or pin

numerous, lan
with stalked

ate, entire or fim indusium frin

NORMALIS: fronds ап
> two-colonred, entire

le, ovate, bi-tripinnate; scales of the stipes strongly

Var. ТААСЕТШОМА: fronds ample, tri

r, tripinnate; pinnules
bluntish with coarse teeth at the apex
slightly glandular; scales of the stipes

oblong, the pinnulets ovate-oblon
indusia small, the margin irre
dark-centred.

Var, қана: fronds dwarf, bipinnate, ovato, somewhat glandular while fresh ; pinnules.
nately-toothed ; sori biserial,
mall evanescent delicate, at length concealed by the spore-
slightly gl tipos dark-centred,

decurrent, connected by a wing, convex, m

inet ; indusi

ndular ; scales of the

long-ovate, or tria ate, bipinnate
1 under surface of veins clothed with glands; pinnules

a; seales of the

THE BROAD PRICKLY-TOOTHED BUCK

;loured, fimbriate at the
stipes broad-taneeolate, pale brown, indistintly two-coloured,

fronds narrow-elongate-ovate or ovato-lanccolate, bipinnate, somewhat

Mur; pin distant; inn ом
: i covered by gland-fringed indusia; scales of the

convex, oblong or ova
rds their apices with

coarse acuminate teeth; s
stipes dark-centred, few except at the base, where they are subulately tipped,

the upper ones often broader

плыл палата con, ore andl f Bish eus 129 (арай), Babington, Aantal of Bri

fronds lanceolate, narrowed and truncate below, candately elongated at

the apex, glandular on the stipes, rachis, and under surface ; pinnae distant, th

Var

lowest unequally deltoid, the rest nearly equal; pinnules oblong, very obtus

pinnatifid, the lobes havi ristate

distant, somewhat convex, de

teeth; sori biserial on all the smaller pinnules, and on the lobes of the larger
Ш stalked glands; scales of the stipes

ones; indusia margined with

anccolute-aristate, entire, with a dark-brown central stripe, spreading
Var, axovsta: fe lanceolate bipinnate; pinnas short deltoid, the anterior
and posterior pinnules of the lower pinnae very unequal; scales of the stipes

narrow-lanceolate, pale-brown, two-coloured

i covered by indistinetly

glandular indusia.

Var. AtPIXA: fro
unequally deltoid ; scales of the stipes broad-lanceolate, pale-brown, variously
two-coloured; sori Та «d glandular

narrow linear-laneoolate, membranaccons, bi-subtripinnate; pinna

numerous, with small evanescent г

Var, GLANDULOSA: fronds amplo, lance

ovate, or oblong-lanceolate, tripinnate below
densely covered with stalked glands beneath, as well as on the stipes and
rachis; scales of the stipes pale whole-coloured, or faintly two-colouresl, broadly
Tanceolato-ovato, semi-appressed, 1

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

NATURE

SEIN,

TING.

W Wise E,
ИАА
^а

Lastrea

dilatata.

er

«aV
«M

j
Ed А”

к ui ;
AA EN
NAL
7

Қ ¿
ASS
4
27:
7 8% 27

NATURE PRINTING. Lastrea dilatata glandulosa.

ATURE PRINTING. Lastrea dilatata Chanterice.

THE BROAD PRICKLY

'OOTHED BUCKLER FERN

iin = nc fom, in етері prie of Sean

in Inland i ue пите Уу йе Ror. Q. Pinder, who fund й la Werner, ad
Тейиш and э ie В. Boever for plants found by Mz T, Belo al Torr near Centon

Lydbok, in à

and in Minga nat Sika, and Kodak in U

Caudez stont, ated,

ally erect, rarely decumbent, not. ereepi

nd trunk-

like, sometimes tufted, the crown densely scaly ; the fronds arranged in a circlet around the crown,

when the caudex is erect, Scales lanceolate-subulate, hair-pointed, brown, with a dark centre and

paler mar Fibres dark-brown, numerous, coarse, branched, tomentose

Stipes terminal, and adherent to the caudes, variable in length, usually from about one-third to

one-half the entire length of the frond, stout at the base, green, densely scaly ; the seales spreading,

most numerous at the base, but usually abundant throughout the whole le

gth of the stipes, and in the

normal plant lanceolate-attenuate, and dark-contr

1 like those of the crown, frequently almost black

rachis convex behind, channelled in front, smooth, or in some plants otherwise normal, clothed with

glands; somewhat sealy, especially at the back, with small subulate more or less distinctly two-

coloured scales

Vernation circinate, the rachis often folded laterally as well as involutely fore and aft, the apex being

simply eireinate

ond averaging two to three feet, but (exclusive of the varieties noticed below) varying from about

foot to five or six fect in length, and from six to sixteen inches in breadth, herbaceous, dark:

above, paler beneath, spreading and more or less arched

drooping, ovate or ovate-

typical form, bipinnate or tripinnate. Pinne numerous op} osite, the pairs more distant.

below. The lowest pai

wre obliquely-triangular elongate, the posterior pinnules being much larger than,

often twice as large as, the anterior ones; the pinna of а few o

f the succeeding pairs have also an
obliquely-deltoid outline, which gradually disappears towards the upper part of the frond, so that those

of about the third or the fourth pair, and th

above them, are nearly equal-sided ; the upper pinnze

also narrower, tapering very gradually from the base to the apex. Z'iunules ovate-oblong, acutish,

often convex, the basal ones stalked, the upper sessile and decurrent ; the lower on

(especially those
of the lowest pinnw) are very deeply pinnatifid, sometimes pinnate, and the lobes or pinnulets are

oblong and bluntish in outline. All the divisions are sharply-toothed, with teeth of sub-ovate form,

terminating in a bristle-like point or muero, which is in general curved laterally towards the apex

of the pinnule or lobe

Venation of the pinnulets of the lower pinnas consisting of a stout flexuous vein, proceeding from

the rachis-like vein of the primary pinnule, forming a midvein, from whieh a venule proceeds into each

marginal lobe, and

is is forked where the lobe is toothed, so as to give off a branch towards each

tooth, the anterior branch being fertile at some distance below its apex, In the larger of the less

divided primary pinnules, the same arrangement occurs on а reduc

1 scale, the midvein producing a

ein for each lobe, and this again а venule for each tooth, the lowest anter fertile

т venule only bein

BUCKLER FERN

THE BROAD PRICKLY-TOOTE
pinnules. "The venules all terminate in a

small cub-shaped apex, below the tooth towards which they aro directed.
ing the whole under surface. Sori numerous,

‘The same, still more simplified, occurs in the smaller primary р

Fructification on the back of the frond, and. occu

‘medial, sub-terminal or ter ымі

inal, seated on the anterio

variable in size, distinct, round, indusiato ;

anterior branch of the venules in the more

venules in the less divided pinnules, and on the lowest

оп each side the midvein,

compound pinnules; in the former consequenti

ming two lines in a similar way along

amd much nearer to it than the margin; in the latter fo

the lobes.

und the ma кей

gin with st

Indusium renitorm, rather large, convex, membranous, fringed a

andular, Spore-cases numerous, brown, rotundly

Лалић ; or sometimes, small, lat, and indistinctly

wate. Spores roundish or oblong, angular, muriculate

Duration, The caudex is perennial, ‘The fronds are semi-persistent, continuing, under shelter,

ase of the stipes. The young fronds are produced in

lı the winter, though decaying at the

spring, and additional ones uncertainly during the summer

This is а most variable species, extremely difficult to understand. Tt is more or less intimately

the kindred British plants

united with two or three kindred species, by means of transition fo

L. feniscció on the one hand, and that known as Æ. spinulosa, on the other. The latter is

bei

distinguished by its creeping caudex, the few broad pallid scales of its stipes, and its entire indusium
the former by its more strictly evergreen habit, by its Iacorated scales, its anthoxanthoid fragrance, and

sium, Z. feniseeié may also be known

by the absence of stalked glands from the margin of its ind

by the concavity of its pinn and pinnules; and even in the decay of its fronds it is peculiar, for

whilst Z. spinulo

amd La dilatata decay first near the base of the stipes, so that the fronds

fall, while they appear green and fresh upwards, in Za fæniseci the stipes continues firm, while

the apex of the frond is undergoing decay, the disorganisation in this ease going on from above
downwards, and not from below upwards, The marks of Æ. dilatata, in the group of which its

variations form so large a proportion, aro, its lanceolate entire dark-centred scales, and its

ind-fringed indusin.

‘The Tansy-leaved Prickly-toothed Buckler Fern]

DILATATA raNacerivotta—is а tripinnate state

of the species, with br ular outline, which is sometimes

ul fronds indicating a tendency towards a trian

ut moderate size, in

strongly marked. ‘The fronds aro usually large, though there occur plants o
which the peculiarities of the form aro fully developed. "he stipes has the usual entire lanceolate
dark-brown abundant scales, marked with a still darker bar down their centre. It is one of the
commoner forms of the species, and а variable form, merging gradually into that which we have
considered as the type of the species, We are indebted to Professor Fée of Strasburg for a specimen of

the Polystichum tanacet

jum of De Candolle, which has enabled us to identify it with this form of
L. dilatata

м:

anis, or the Dwarf Priekly-toothed Buckler Fern—L. штат хаха (Ралев XXVI, en)

differs most obviously from the usual and commoner forms of the species, in its constantly smaller size;

the extreme length of the fronds, including tho stipes, varying from two to four inches in the smallest

forms, to eight or ten inches in the largest forms of the variety. This diminutivo size is а permanent

characteristic, the variety having been observed by Mr. J

Tatham to grow near Settle, in Yorkshire, for

the Inst twenty years without ch

se, and in company with the ordinary forms of the species three feet

in height ; and the Rev. J. M. Chanter has observed the same

t of constancy for a series of years in

plants of this variety which occur near Tfrac

bo, in Devonshire. Even when freely manure
Mr. Tatham’s plant, though

owing about fifteen inches

gh, does not k

se the dwarfish aspect of the

hire plante

© latter assumo some slight variations among themselves, "The fronds (of the Settle plants) aro of

THE BROAD PRICKLY-TOOTHED BUCKLER FERN.

an ovate outline broadest at the base, the stipes forming nearly half the entire heigl

t Both the stipes

and rachis, as well as the under side of the veins,

е sparingly clothed with short-stalked glands. The

stipes is clothed thickly at the base, more sparin

ly upwards, with lanceolate seales having the usual

dark central mark. The lowest pinnae are unequal-sided, but the rest are nearly equal. The fronds are

bipinnate, but the pinnules are de

ent, more or less convex, the larger ones somewhat lobed, with

serrated lobes, the rest merely serrate with spinulose teeth. ‘The sori are most copious in the upper part
of the frond, and form a line on each side the midvein of the pinnules nearer the rib than the margin ;

the

are rather small, formed of roundish obovate spore-cases, which are almost black when fresh, and

are covered by а small, delicate, somewhat glandular-margined indusium, which soon shrivels and

becomes concealed among the spore-eases

Miss Boover’s, or the Thicket Prickl

toothed Buckler Fern—L. DILATATA DUNETORUN—(PLATR
XXV.) is a dwarf or dwarfish

orm, with broad ovate, or clongate-triangula

or sometimes, deltoid fronds,
remarkable for their

ndular surface, and their large abundant sori produced freely on plants of ve

immature age,

"This form of the plant, which appears to us entitled to specific distinction, occurs under
several modifications, some of which have been referred to the var. collina, with which, however, they

do not agree.

Of these modifications, one discovered in the Lake district by Miss Beover, to whom we

aro indebted for specimens and plants, is the most marked with which we are acquainted, and like the

rest, sufficiently accords with the imperfect specimens of Sir J. E. Smith's Aspidium dumetorum, to be

found in his herbarium, This plant has elongate-triangular-ovate fronds growing about а foot high,

and very glandular, especially on the stipes, rachis, and lower surface of the veins ; they are bipinnate,

the pinnas concave and bluntish; the pinnules broad oblong, or oblong.
р p

ovate, convex, eri

у, and
coarsely toothed, the teeth broad.

acuminately tipped by a small bristle. The stipes is sparingly
clothed with lanceolate scales of variable width, and of a pale-brown colour, scarcely at all darker in

the centre, and having their margin fimbriate. The sori are lar

с, distinct, produced over the whole

under surface, and covered by indusia, which are prominently fringe

d with stalked glands, Young

plants of this form, but a few months old, and three or four inches high, bear fronds which are

abundantly fertile, With this we associate

following, which agree in the pale-coloured, broad
Tance-shaped, sparingly fimbriated scales of the stipes and crown, in the dwarf habit, the subtriangular

fronds, in the glanduloso surface, and th

large distinct sori:—(1) a Fern found at Festiniog
by Dr. Allchin, somewhat larger in growth under cultivation, less concave in the pinnæ, and therefore
fader, found by Mr. J. R. Cobb;
(3) Dr. Deakin’s Z. maculata, found on Goatfell, Arran, which is also a dwarf glandular form of the species,

less crispy 2) another similar, from the hills above Rha

with a more ovate outline of frond ; (4) a similar plant, which we gathered at Tarbet, in Glen Croe,
and on the coast of Arran; (5) a form having the same general characteristics, found by the
Rey. J. М. Chanter, in the vicinity of Ilfracombe in Devonshire ; and (6) a similar form found in the

Isle of Man, by Dr. Allchin. ‘These all differ

from that first described in little but the absence of the

crispy aspect of the pinnules, which has been already mentioned; and do not differ among themselves

more than the forms of many other Ferns.

ickly-toothed Buckler Fe

Mr. Pinder's, or the Hill P

n—LASTHEA DILATATA сомлха—(Ртдтв XXVI,

Am) was first brought

о notice by the Rev. G. Pinder, to whom we are indebted for specimens and

much information concerning it, It is a remarka

neat-looking form of the species, having sometimes

an ovate outline of frond, attenuately elongated at the apex, but also occurring in а more elongated,

п oblong-lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate form. The fronds are dark-green, one to two feet high,

smooth

or sparingly glandular, bipinnate. The stipes is variable in length, both in wild specimens,

some of which are found beneath masses of rock, and under cultivation ; from one-half to one-third

the length of the fronds,

ven above, tinged with dark purple-brown at the base, scaly, with entin

lanceolate dark-brown scales, which have а conspicuous darker central mai

; the scales at the base

of the stipes, where th i numerous, are narrow, and have a N

subulate point ; hig

er up

THE BROAD PRICKLY-TOOTHED BUCKLER FERN

йы tay ut cnet sd soria; dd tho senha est a ala демо f‏ ی

сем, The plum, emodally tho lower ород are distant and spreading: the fre раї unequally

зада; the next moro elongate and lass unequal; the remainder narrower, parallel-sided, rounding

Ма near cho езі to ex sext, ne! ab all рва ponte Tho ploaules aro convex; йау

ong ovata the basıl ones narrowed to a broadibh АО attachment the rest көшіп and more

or less decurrent ; the larger pinnules are deeply pinnatifid with blunt oblon ringly toothed

mosly ab tho epes, with eonree арайын arista tes. "The srl ro for the most part arranged

In two linos along the pinnoles, as in the smaller forms of the species, and they аго covered ly

land-feinged indusia. ‘The plants from Torver, near Coniston, communicated by Mins S. Bever

ато prettily concavo pin, and strongly convex pinnules; they aro also somewhat glandular, which
is hardly, if at al, the case with the plant sent by Mr, Pinder
Mrs. Chanter’s Prickly-toothed Buckler Fern—L. nuatara Cuastent—(Puate XXIV) is а re
markably distinct form of the species, differing obviously in the narrowed form and attenuated apex of its
во distant pinn, and its distinct blunt pinnules, Tt is of medium size, growing from a
and a half to two fect in height, the fronds growing nearly егесі, and being of a lanceolate or oblong
lanceolate form, with the baso somewhat narrowed, and the apex attenuated. The stipes, rachis, and
under surfaco of the fronds are clothed with sessile or very shortly-stalked glands. The stipes is
clothed rather plentifully with lanceolate and ovate-lanceolate entire scales, which are of various sizes,
brówn, with a dark central streak, and tipped by a longish, weak, bristle point. The fronds are
bipinnate ; the pinnae distant, somewhat spreading, and more or less twisted, so that the upper surface
is directed towards the zenith; the lowermost pair are very unequally deltoid, their posterior basal
pinnules being more than twice the length of the anterior ones, and these posterior pinnules are almost
themselves pinnate; the next pair is unequally deltoid, but the posterior pinmule is only al
than the anterior ; the inequality is nearly lost in the next and the succeeding pinnt
adually to the apex. ‘The basal pinnules of these upper pinne are nearly oblong, their
baso being but little broader than their apex, which is very blunt; they have a narrow stalk-like
tachment, which becomes broader and decurrent in the pinnules higher up the pinna. Тһе pinnules
ге more or less deeply pinnatifid according to their position on the pinnae, and the lobes, which are
bluntly oblong, have a few coarse distinct teeth, each of which is terminated by a bristle-ike point
‘The sori, which form a line on each side near the midrib of the smaller pinnules, amd а double line
along the lobes of the larger ones, are covered by reniform indusia, which are fringed with small stalker
glands at the margin, This very marked variety was discovered in 1854, by the Rev. J. М. Chanter
‘and Mrs. Chanter, after whom it has been named, at Hartland, on the north coast of Devon, where it
was found growing in moderate quantity within a limited area, and accompanied and surrounded by
other common forms of the species, We are indebted to Mr. Chanter for the specimen figured, and
for living plants collected during the present year, from which latter our description has heen prepared
The Linear Prickly-toothed Buckler Fern—L. оплата axcusra—is a variety having the outline

and general features of the erect typical form of L. spinulosa, but possessing also the particular

characteristics of Z. dilatata, Tt has narrow lincar-Ianccolate bipinnate fronds, about two feet high ; the

stipes moderately furnished with large attenuately lance-shaped pale-brown dark-centred scales ; the

pinna: shortly deltoid, and the lower two or three pairs very unequally so, the p

erior pinnules being
much the largest; tho pinnules narrow, oblong, obtuse, deeply pinnatiid with ovate or oblong lobes,
having aristato teeth. "The sori are small, abundant, occurring from the base to the apex of the frond,

and covered by small indistinctly glandular convex indusia

The Alpine Prickly-toothed Buckler Fern—L. piarara anmxa—has fronds of the outline of
ordinary states of Z. spinulosa, that is, strajght-sided, broadly linear, seareely lanceolate ; they are almost
tripinnate below, bipinnate upwards ; the pianos ovate-lanecolate, or ovate, ascending, membranous in
texture, and bearing two rows of large р

ninent sori, of which the covers, which are very evanescent,

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TIRE PRINTING Lastrea dilatata dumetorum.

THE BROAD PRICKLY-TOOTHED BUCKLE

ERN.

are small, and somewhat glandular on the margin ; the teeth of the pinnules are muero

ately tipy

‘The scales are broad lance-shaped,

sh brown, with а dark central mark, This form occurs plen-

tifully among rocks on the higher parts of Ben Lawers, Perthsl
ndular Prickly

The Gl y-toothed Buckler Y

I—L. рилтата GLANDULOSA— (PATE ХХ) іза large

and somewhat erect growing plant, with much the aspect of a large broad Z. spinulosa, but differing

from that in the int

liate form of the seales of the stipes, in their frequently being two-coloured, in

the glandular-fringed indusia, and in the subercet, not erceping caudex. ‘The fronds grow from a fo

and a half to three or four fect high, and are of an oblong-lanceolate figure in the larger plants, or

ovate-lanccolato in the smaller ones, arly erect around the stout pale-coloured erown which

terminates the thick ascending tufted caudex. They are bipinnate above, tripinnate below ; the pinne
ascending and twisted, so as to form nearly a horizontal plane, laneeolate-ovate, the longest nearly six
inches long, and about two inches broad just above the base ; pinnules lanceolate-ovate, or pyramidately

ovate, acute,

reraging nearly an inch in length over the greater part of the frond, the posterior ones

on the lower pinnae long

st, those of the lowest pinnse being an inch and three-quarters long ; the lower

ked, the rest successively decurrent, adnate, confluent. ‘The pinnules are pinnatifid almost

down to the midvein ; their lobes obloı

adnate, incised or toothed, the serratures all tipped by a

bristle-like point. Tho stipes varies from about one-third to one-half the entire length of the frond, and

is clothed sparingly upwards, more thickly near the base, with ovate bhuntish, and ovate-lanceolate

pointed scales, which are generally of a pale brown, scarcely tawny, some having and others wanti

darker central streak, many of them, as seen in the grow

plant, becoming a good deal appressed

to the stipes, whilst a few remain spreading; but this appears to be far less obvious when dried.

"The stipes, rachides, and under surfa

се of the fronds, are densely covered with stalked glands. The

fructification is copious over the whole frond, and forms two I

on each of the smaller pinnules,

ог on the lobes of the larger ones ; and the sori are covered by indusia, which are fr

4 with stalked

marginal glands, This Fern was first noticed by Mr. Bennett, of Brockham, and his son, Mr.

Bennett, near Lydbrook, in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire ; and was sub

quently gathered at the

same place by Mr. W. H. Purchas, of Ross, It has since been found in

pping Forest, in Essex,
by Mr. H. Doubleday. We are indebted to these gentlemen for both specimens and livi
Mr.S. F.G

ig plants.

has communicated (1) a frond much smaller, with paler scales, and less pyramidato

pinnules, but glandular, a

4. perhaps referrible to this form of the species, which had been gathered
near Croydon, Surrey, by Mr, J. Hutcheson; and (2) another glandular Fern, gathered by himself at

Barnes, Surrey, where we have also found it sparin

y. The latter is certainly not identical with

the Dean Forest and Epping plants, but approaches them closely in some respects, differing chiefly in

its laxer habit, and less elongated fronds, and in the presence of more nume pointed lanceolate

and dark-centred scales among the br

ог ones on the stipes. We have gathered another glandular

Fern at Hampstead, Middlesex, somewhat different, especially in the scales, which are lon

narrow, and in the more obtusely ovate form

the pinnules. This latter, with that from Barnes,

supplies the connecting links between glandulosa and dilatata ; the most ordinary looking forms of

the latter being moreover sometimes quite glandular

Besides the varieties already mentioned, which we consider the most distinct and important, thero

are many other, indeed almost endless, modifications of this Fern, many of which, however, we believe

to bo permanent forms, although they have not all been proved by cultivation. ‘The following is a brief

summary of the various forms which have come under our observation
1. multifida (W.). Mr. Wollaston describes this as having the rachis divided very low down, so that,

in fact, two fronds are, as it were, borne on one stipes. 16 is, however, rarely that more than one or two

fronds on a plant are affected, and the variation is not constant.

tanacetifolia (ML). A common broad tripinnate, triangular or sub-triangular, usually 1а

THE BROAD PRICKLY-TOOTHED BUCKL
growing, form of the species of which the lax state ia remarkably elegant. The form hore intended has
the usual dark-contred scales.

m, in which the scales are

3. pumila (ML). A small subdeltoid or ovate-deltoid bipinnate variat

pallid, We have gathered it at Hampstead, Middlesex, and Tarbet, Dun
у British Ferns, where it was mistaken for Sir J. E. Smith's

bartonshire, It is the form

refered to as dumetorum in the Handbook
strongly two-eoloured, We have seen this latter from Aber, Carnarvonshire ; Rothesay, Bute ; and the
tmonn(ains of Dublin and Wicklow

4, 44044 (М). This is a Devonshire plant, collected by the Rev. J. M. Chanter. It grows about
two fet high, and has deltoid tripinnate Snely-cut fronds, the stipes slender, andthe whole aspect of
{ho plant ight and elegant. ‘Tho sales are dark-coloured

5. fuscipes (М). A glandular form of very elegant appearance, growing two fect high, the fronds
nearly as road as long (one foot high, and ten and a half inches wide), tripinmate, Ше points of the
frond and рине caudate. Tho stipes, which is comparatively slender, and has dark narrow seals is of
a palo chestnut brown behind. Tt was obtained in Guernsey by Mr. G. Wolsey, the fortunate discoverer
in that island of Ophioglossum lusitanicum.

6, micromera (М. The peculiarity of this form, which has a stout stipes clothed with large very
dark sale, and is of the normal ovate-lanceolte outline, and about two feet high, is, that it is more
доу divided than una, Though small in sizo, it is almost quadrpimuat, and the pinmules and lobes
lave sharp narrow tet, It was found inthe neighbourhood of Ifiacombe by the Rev. J. М. Chanter

7. nana (Хота), The experienc of Mr. Tatham and Mr, Chanter proves this to bea permanent
a plant of dat stature, m two or three inches to nearly а foot in height, ‘The fronds aro
orate, bipinnae, and the stipes is furnished with lanceolate dark-centred scales, The planta from Sette
and from Ilfracombe aro very similar, but from the lator neighbourhood there are two forms differing
slightly in the colour of the scales, and in the form and manner of the toothing of the pinnules; the
“мег plant having the more pallid scales

8. dumetorum (ML), A dwarf plant, with ovato or clongately triangular fronds clothed beneath and on
the stipes and rachis with glands; the stipes furnished with pal faintly two-cloured scales, which are
peculiar in being fimbriated sparingly along their margins, The sori are large, scattered, and produe
freely on both young and small-sized plants. The largest plants seldom exceed a foot in height. Some
of tho forms have been referred to collina, but it diers from that in іш abundant glands, and in ia
pallid fimbriated scales. The Arran, Devon, and Isle of Man forms have their scales somewhat less
fimbriated than the others. A small ovate form, agreeing with this in the scale and in the glands
found in Glen Croe, Argyleshire, is tripinnate at the base, and has the pinnutes much smaller than
usual, giving it a somewhat different aspect, and it is probably a permanent departure from thie
type of variatio

9. collina (Хетта), This is a narrow ese form, from ono to two fect high, with the fronds varying

from narrow ovate elongated at the point, so as to become ovato-lanceolate, to narrow oblong-lanecolata.

‘The pinnules are bluntly-oblong, with coarse acuminately-aristate teeth. The seales of the stipes are

ong, narrow, and strongly two-coloured. Some of the plants we have seen are smooth, others

sparingly glandular, but much Jess so than dumetora. Tt is a very distinct elegant, and permanent

form.

10. Smithië (М), A small plant, which, on the authority of Mr, HL. Shepherd
him by Dr. Mackay, and is the plant from which Sir J.

L.dilatata nana.

C.D.

collina:

ES |

Ж
= Ne
>> Y, NA

dilatata

A.B.Lastrea

pee
=

THE BROAD PRICKLY-TOOTHED BUCKLER FERN

having but slight inequality in the size of the pinnules; these latter are narrowly decurrent on the

rachis, oblong obtuse, with acuminately aristate teeth. The scales are dark, two-coloured, lanceolate,

related to collina, and is,

ted about the base of the stipes. The plant

narrower and more е
perhaps, only a modification of it. The Trish forms of this affinity are little known, and require
moro complete investigation than has hitherto been given to them ; and the same remark applies to the
Irish forms related to dumetorum.

bout two feet high, and is of erect with the

11. Chanteriæ М). This ele t

t variety grows a

pinnæ twisted, so that the upper surface is directed towards the zenith. ‘The fronds are glandular
lanceolate, narrowing yet terminating abruptly at the base, attenuated and caudate at the apex. Tho
lower pinnæ are very unequal-sided; the next pair or two much less so, and those above nearly ог
quite equal. ‘The fronds are glandular ; the stipes abundantly scaly, with lanceolate scales, having a

dark-brown centre, and terminating in a long weak point. ‘The sori are small, numerous, forming two

the midrib, and cover land-fringed indusia. The largest fronds are two feet high,

lines ne 1 by

including a stipes of nine inches ; the lowest pinnæ three and a half inches long, and an inch and

half broad ; the longest, about the centre of the frond, five inches long, and an inch and a quarter
broad. The pinnules are separated by a space often nearly equal to their own width,

the last, but smooth, more lax in habit, and the fronds або.

12, distans (М). "This is something lik

he outline is ovate ; the pinneo distant, and the inequality of their sides.

appear to attain a larger

not very apparent except in the lowest pair ; the pinnules wide apart, ovate oblong obtuse, the narrowed

stalk-like base somewhat decurrent, the teeth acuminately-aristate, "The sori are numerous, forming

two lines near the midrib, the indusium slightly glandular, It was found at Coombe Wood, Surrey, by

Mr. S. F.

13. obtusa (ML). This form does not associate with any of the others we have seen. The fronds are in

outline narrow ovate, with oblong obtuse shallow-lobed pinnules ; otherwise normal. We have found

it at Hampstead, Middlesex ; Hastings, Sussex; Ardrishiag, Argyleshire ; and the Rev. J. М. Chanter

has found a similar form near Tlfracombe, Devonshire.

14. angusta (ML). This has linear fronds about two fect high, with a long stipes, equalling the leafy

part in length. The pinne are ascending, the three or four lowest pairs very unequal-sided. The

scales are lanceolate and two-coloured, otherwise the fronds have quite the aspect of those of
у was established (Handbook of British Ferns, 124)

ical

L. spinulosa, in its extreme іу

te Miss Bower, near Tunbridge Wells, We have subsequently seen

on two fronds gathered by the

at the latter place

somewhat similar forms from Glen Croc, Argyleshire, and from Hartland, Devon ;

Mrs. Chanter found it in company with Chanterie
15. alpina (ML). Tn this form the fronds have ascending pinnw, of which the lowest are but little

the succeeding pairs, so that the outline is narrow, scarcely lance-shaped ; the

shorter than several o
ing gradually less во, ‘The fronds are often almost,

lowest pinnae are very unequal-sided, the rest b

we than any other form we have seen, ‘The

the base, and of a much more delicate te

tripinnate
sori are large and numerous, with small very evanescent indusia, having a ragged glandular margin.
‘The scales are broad-lanceolate, pale-brown, with a dark central mark varying in intensity. This

hered on Ben Lawers, Perthshire, and we have seen no other form correspondent with it,

unless a small plant with ovate fronds, found by Dr. Balfour on Ben Voirlich, and which does not
well associate with any other form, is a small state of the same plant

16. glandulosa (Newm). A large growing erect variety, with fronds of an oblong-laneeolate outline,

tripinnate below, the lower pinne broad and unequally deltoid, the upper Ianecolate-ovate ; the

midately-ovate acute. Тһе sori, which are copious over the whole frond, are covered

pinnules are py

1 the stipes are ovate-lanceolate acute, pale-brown, unequally

by gland-fringed indusia,

marked with а darker central blotch, less spreading than in other varieties. There are two or three

orms, which serve to unite this with Z. dilatata, in its ordinary state

other large-growing glandul

THE BROAD PRICKLY-TOOTHED BUCKLER FERN,

hory when dry, the

17. valida (М), А stout, erect, broad, rigidly fleshy-looking form, thick and le

fronds ovate, the pinnules divided almost to tho midrib over the greater part of the fronds. Т

venules terminato in a hair-like white line near the margin on the upper surfaco, and give the plant

a falsely strigoso appearance. It has been sent to us by the Rev. J. М. Chanter, from Devonshire ; and
by Mr. C, Jackson, from Guernsey

18. Sclofieldii (Stansfield). This very diminutive plant was found by a gardener named Schofield,
near Buxton, Derbyshire, a few years since, and has since retained its peculiarities under cultivation,
It is uncertain whether it should be referred to Æ. dilatata or L. spinulosa, and its tendency to a
creeping habit of growth, as well as its concolorous scales, rather lead to the inference that it belongs to
the latter ; but itis yet altogether too diminutive, and too litle known to admit of the question being
decided. The fronds rarely attain a length of more than three or four inches, and more generally do
mot exceed two ; they are usually ramose, sometimes not; often multfid, sometimes not ; and when
single, they are pinnate, the pinna» oblong and simply notched. The whole plant, which is quite a

curiosity, and as yet a rarity, is somewhat analogous to the var. crispum of Athyrium Filiz-femina.

In a plant so sportivo as Z dilatata, and ко widely and variedly dispersed as to latitudo, elevation,
айа locality, it is probable there may be other variations besides those we havo enumerated, sufficiently

different from them to interest those who study tho diversities which occur in the forms of plants,

Prate

THE HAY-SCENTED, ов CONCAVE PRICKLY-
TOOTHED BUCKLER FERN (I 1.

LASTREA, Presl.

Clusters of Spore-cases circular, medial or subterminal on the venules, covered by an

indusium, or membranous scale. Zwdusium reniform, ie, more or le

rogularly
te with a posterior notch; attached by the sinus or notch, the margin
becoming free, Veins simple, forked, or pinnate; venules direct, disunited at
their extremities.

L. raiser: fronds tr

pinnulets pinnatifid, the mueronately ser

the stipes concolorous, narrow-lanceolate, fimbriate or laciniate ;
‚ed with minute sessil

gular or triangular-ovate, tr

innate, spreading ; pinnules

indusium nds,

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

ть XXVIL Lun rariss fom Balcombe, бше, 8. 0. Om

И Nera In Scotland cars өзі

Caudez stout, densely scaly, tufted, erect or sometimes decumbent, formed of the bases of the

fronds surrounding a woody axis, Scales narrow-lnnecolate, pale ferrugin

and sparingly fimbriate or I

tomentose

us, concolorous, variously

ate on the margin. Fibres long, stout, wiry, branched, dark brown,

‘Stipes usually about half the entire length of the frond, rigid, moderately stout, brownish-purple

from the base upwards, furnished plentifully with subulately-lanceolate entire fimbriate or lacerate

scales of a pale rusty-brown colour. Rachie greenish, furnished with fewer and smaller
well as the stipes and secondary rachides bearing numerous small sessile spherical glands.

Vernation eireinate

Fronds numerous, from one to two feet high including the stipes, and from about five to eight

inches across, sometimes smaller,

surface crispy; triangular, or elongute-triangular, or

sprinkled with minute sessile glands; terminal, and adherent to the с

x. Pinna opposite

а rich bright green, somewhat paler beneath, drooping, the upper

THE HAY-SCENTED BUCKLER FERN.

sub-opposite, more or less deltoid. The lowest are broadly and unequally so, the pinnules on the posterior

sido being larger than those on the anterior ; they are also usually, but not always, the longest ; the

succeeding pinnae become gradually narrower and less oblique, Pinnules pyramidately-triangular

ок obliquely-oblong, the basal posterior ones of the lowest pinnze much longer than the rest, and

the largest of which are deeply pinnatifid into oblong

пораза Био ovate oblong or oblong мощей
the upper ones becoming

rated lobes, The basal pinna pinnules, and pinnulets are all stalk:

in gradation sessile and then decurrent. The margins of the pinnules and lobes аге mucronately

toothed, and these margins are turned upwards from tho plane of the spreading or drooping frond,

so that all the ultimate divisions are concave, and tho entire frond has a beautiful crispy appearance,
which, together with its lively colour and graceful habit, render it one of the most ornamental of the
robust Ferns,

Venation of the pinnulets consisting of a dark-coloured flexuous midvein formed of a branch from.
the midvein of the primary pinnule; this produces short lateral forked reinlets, the anterior branch
‘of which bears a sorus below its apex; all terminate within the margin,

Fructiication on the back of the frond occupying the whole under surface. Sori round, numerous,
indusiato, forming two rows along each of the pinnules and pinnulets, placed near to the midvein, often
becoming confluent, Zndusium reniform, its margin jagged and uneven, and sparingly furnished wit
sessile glands, Spore-cases numerous, brown, obovate. Spores oblong, often angular, muriculat

Duration. ‘The caudex is perennial, The fronds of one season's growth also endure until after th
earlier ones of the following year are produced, so that the plant is evergreen, The growth takes place

їп succession from the month of May onwards till autumn.

This beautiful plant is quite distinct both in characters and aspect from Z. dilatata with which it is
dated. Its fragrance, which is а remarkable characteristic, is powerful, resembling that of

new hay, becoming too, like that, developed by the desiceation of the plant, and retaining its strength for
a length of time in the dried specimens of the herbarium, The scales of the stipes differ from t
L. dilatata, both in size, form, and number, being in Z. fenisecit fewer, narrower, and for the most part
either fringed or lacerate at the margin, pale brown, and concolorous, The fronds too are much more
decidedly evergreen than in Z. dilatata or spinulosa > and have this peculiarity in their decay, observed
by Dr. Allehin, that they commence to decay from the point, and not from the base of the stipes, Т
indusium, moreover, is not bordered with stalked glands, In ordinary cases, the triangular outlin
and concave crispy surface of the fronds will sulico to distinguish the plant, without recourse to the
more minute characters residing in the scales and indusia ; but it must be remembered that the plant
does vary with more elongated and ovate fronds, and some forms of Æ. dilatata aro decidedly
triangular in outline

Ie grows freely in cultivation, planted in a porous soil of loam and peat; and is to be considered as

‘one of the most ornamental of our native species. The plants may bo multiplicd by separating the

|
|

Lastrea Тепізесі.

are XXVIII.

THE MOUNTAIN BUCKLER FERN (Lisrua Orropreris),

LASTREA, Presl.

Clusters of Spore-cases circular, medial or subterminal on the venules, covered by an
indusium, or membranous seale. /ndusium. т, de, more or less regularly
rotundate with a posterior notch ; attached by the sinus or notch, the margi
becoming free. Veins simple, forked, or pinnate ; venules direct, disunited at

their extremities.

o-glandular beneath, lanccolate, very much narrowed

L. Onsoptenis; fronds resin
below, pinnate; pinna: linc
1; caudex tufted.

lanceolate, deeply pinnatifid, the lobes oblong, flat ;

Mona of РАНА Botany, 410. De
“Moor, Шы of Brith ит,

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

PLATE ХХУШ.- Татина Омоти; fon В

м

med of the bases of the fronds surrounding

Candez stout, tufted, decumbent and slowly ereepin
a woody axis, scaly. Scales pale ferruginous, ovate acuminate, Fibres stout, brown, branching,
Stipes short, stout, terminal and adherent to the caudex ; glandular, and covered with ovate and
lanceolate pale brown membranaceous scales, Rachis scaly below, the scales becoming finer and more

hair-like upwards ; clothed also abundantly with sessile glands.

folded eonvolutely

Vernation civcinate, the pinna: not

е to three feet or more in height, the smaller three inches, the l ght to ten or

Frond from

en or often yellowish, clothed beneath

ies in breadth, erectish, numerous, terminal, bright

1 of small sessile resinous glands, which give out an

with a profs

THE MOUNTAIN BUCKLER FERN

ceolate, much tapered below as well as upwards, pinnate. Pinn opposite or alternate, numerous ; th
‚wer ones more distant, obtusely triangular; those higher up gradually lengthening till about the
middle of the frond, where they are lincar-lanceolate, or rather broadest at the baso tapering to а long
narrow point; the upper ones again aro shorter, but also narrower ; all are deeply pinnatiid. Lobes

metimes slightly faleate, the basal ones longest

flat, oblong, obtuse, entire, or occasionally cronated,
Venation of the lobes consisting of a flexuous midvein, producing alternate сели, which are

Fructifcation on the back of the fronds, and most abundant on the upper half: Sori moderate

sized, circular, produced near the ends of the venules, and forming a submarginal series, often

confluent, sometimes without indusia. Zndusiun small, thin, ў evanescent. Sp
numerous, brown, obovate. Spores roundish or oblong, muriculato
Duration. The caudex is perennial. The fronds are only annual, growing up in spring about Мау,

and becoming destroyed by the autumnal fr

so distin

‘This fragrant Fern may be at o uished by its balsamic seent ; by the short lower pinna

which exte

1 down almost to the caudex of the pinnato-pinnatifid, marginally dot-fruited fronds; and

by the latter in tufts, The indusi and are sometimes wantin

but the species is too el ‚racensis for example, to permit of

ly allied to other genuine Lastreas, Za

its sep

ation from the genus 0 sod, such frivolous distinctions are

this peculiarity. Im

always to be avoided.

ugh so common a species in some localities it is not one which readily submits to cultivation,
and many have been the failures of those who have attempted its domestication. We are indebted to

Mr. Wollaston for a suggestion which has enabl

lus to attain greater success than usual, and which

quite in accordance with observations subsequently made in its wild localities. Mr. Wollast
plan is to pot or plant in pure loam, and to keep this soil wet through the winter, when the plants
are potted, this being done by keeping а feeder full of water constantly beneath them. Probably а
constant supply from a syphon, allowing the superfluous quantity to overflow, so that there might I

constant change go

ng on, would bea still better arrangement ; it would at least assimilate more

actly with the е

reolation which must be g

in its native hills, There is no difficulty

in securing a supply of the pl

s in the localities where it occurs, where young seedling plants are
most abundant

Two curious varieties of this species have been observed, namely

1. truncata (W.). This form was found near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, by Mr. Wollaston, It is a

sity, and proves permanent under cultivation. Tl

very few exceptions, those of the pinnæ also, are abrupt, and the end of the midvein projects nearly

а quarter of an inch beyond the pinnules, giving the p

he appearance of having been eaten off in

a uniform manner by some mollusk, The graceful ой

pect of the plant are quite destroyed,
In all other respects this variety resembles the normal plant

2. смара (М). In this the pinnules are undulated or wavy, so that the frond has a crispy

appearance, Tt was found by Dr. Balfour, on the Clova mountains,

ей SOR +.

Ac

y "4

7%

274 у

4

Oreopteris.

Lastrea

PRINTING.

М
“

R

Prare XXIX

THE MARSH, or FEMALE BUCKLER FERN

(Lastrea THELYPTERIS).

LASTR

Clusters of Spore-cases circular, m

А, Presl.

dial or subterminal on the venules, covered by an

indusium, or membranous scale. Zndusinm

rotundate with a posterior notch ; attached by the sinus or n
becoming free. Veins simple, forked, or pinnate

venules direct, disunited at 5
their extremities,

L. Tazıyprzans; fronds lanceolate with а brond base, pinnate ; pinna: linear lanceolate
deeply pinnatifid, the lobes oblong, their margins revolute in the fertile fronds

which thus appear to have more пеше contracted lobes; caudex ereepin,

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

BOOK

Caudez extensively creeping, branched sparingly, produc

g fronds at intervals, slender, blackish
brown, sealy at the growing point, Seales few, pale brown, ovate-lanceolate. Fibres numerous, dark

brown, much branched, smooth or tomentose

Stipes as long as or longer than the leafy portion in the f

ile fronds, less elongated and slighter
in the barren ; smooth, rounded behind, channelled in front, the base ebony-coloured, pal

sen upwar
Rachis also smooth and channelled in front, the secondary rachides bearing a few small seattered

scales, and loose spreading deciduous hairs ; the latter also appear here and there on the veins beneath

and along the margins of the lob

THE MARSH FERN

Frond from six or eight inches to four feet in height, including the slápes, and from about four to

the barren with seemingly broader leafy

branaccous, erect, pinnate ; lateral and adherent to the caudex dis

segments, the fertile with their segments apparently narrower and more

næ numerous, sub-opposite or alternate, spreading, linear

the margin over or towards the sori.

lanceolate, deeply pinnatitid. Segme g obtuse, or
or slightly sinuate ; the basal ones often longer than, and especially those on the anterior side quite
distinct from, the rest. The fertile fronds differ in having the margins of their segments revolute, and
in being taller, with a stouter stipe

Venation of the lobes consisting of a stout midvein, flexuous in the upper part, from which proceed
alternate once or twice forked reins, the venules or eeinlets running out to the margin. ‘The veins are

forked very soon after leaving the midvein.

surface. Sori small, round, situated

Feuctifcation ow the back of tho frond, occupying the w

near the base of the venules, 1. ¢, just above the fork of the vein, and forming a line on each side the

midvein, and about equally distant from it and the margin, though apparently marginal from the invo-

lution of the edge of the frond ; they are at first distinct, but often become laterally confluent, and

gins, Indusium a small

sometimes effused over the whole of the small space between the rolled-up mat

delicate roundish membrane, att lacerate and glandular at the margin. Spore-eases

ched posteriorly

numerous, brown, obovate. Spores oblong or reniform, strongly murieate

Duration. "The caudex is perennial. The fronds are annual, the barren ones growing up

the fertile in July, all destroyed by the frosts of autumn.

‘This plant may be di

inguished from the other Zastrras by its habit alone, its long, comparatively

slender, creeping caudex being unl

ко that of any of the other British species ; but notwithstanding this,

and the fact that its fronds are really quite unlike t п con-

f L. Oreopteris, the species has b

founded with that plant. It differs from it in having a long creeping caudex, whilst Z. Oreopteris is
tufted, and merely decumbent ; in having its fronds of their full width almost to the very base, with a

lor

s, whilst Z. Orenptorie has diminishin

pinnas carried down almost to the base of the

stipes; and in having fronds which are alm

4 free fron

glands, whilst those of 12. Orropteris are very

conspicuously resinose-glandular on the under surface, and very fragrant. Te is stil less like any others
of the British Lastreas

Lastrea Thelypteris is easily cultivated. It merely requires a light boggy kind of soil, and abund:

ture. Out of do

з it should therefore have a damp border, or should be placed in some wettish
plac
be large and shallo

out the fernery. In pots, it must have а very abundant supp

of water ; and the pots should

mixed with a proport

of decaying leaves and light sandy loa

will be congenial to it. Tt is inerensed

ST > < N м
SR < SS ў;
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ING. Lastrea Thelypteris.

Prates ХХХ. XXXI. XXXII.

THE LADY FERN (Атнувюм FILIx-F@MINA).

ІШ. XXXIV.

ATHYRIUM, Roth,

Clusters of Spore-cases oblong, or sublunate, medial on the anterior side of the ve

the lowest anterior one usually, sometimes more or all, arcuate or horse-shoc-

shaped in consequence of their crossing the venule and returning along its
membranous seale, Judusium of the same form as
long the side towards the
in split into capillary
segments; at length reflexed. Veins forked or pinnate ; venules disunited at
their extremities.

posterior side ; covered b
the clusters, in the usual for
midvein, and (in the British species) havin

of sorus opening

the free ma

A. Рыхламия: fronds lanceolate, herbaceous, bipinnate, (sometimes subbipinnate or
tripinnate) ; pinnules oblong ovate or l distinct, or more or
less decurrent and united, toothed, or inciso-pinnatifid with the lobes toothed ;
caudex tufted, егесі or decumbent.

eolate, sessile m

418 (9. Ser, Ћи 48, t 5,

Arava м, Ruprecht, Brie cor Ранна, ди Вайт Raicha, 41
artes Fix eer, Вага, Slade пене Jornal fr ди Botanik, 100 m
Spreng, Bona Тунт, i. 68 (и. yu. Төле Ш Art, Dri Fre 574. Medo

Fura Hi Desk, Flap Britannien, i dum moles кы mie), (On
ле 4 fue die Botanik, 1800, 1. 41; бум Pi

арығы DescManh Fra i 6.

Less divided forms

Var. валови: fronds narrow-laneeolate erect; pinne distant; pinmules distinct,

deeply pinnatifid, lanceolate, acute, becoming linear from the incurvation of tho

= ee
E к
Алда, POOR. 2-7
ELO E ROT: er rn
: қ : E RETTEN J

JD

Athyrium Filix-foamina .

LA y
Mr Nm ауу
WR oe. ‘Fe

А

E ы. Ж „ _ m

RINTING.

A. Athyrium Filix-femma rheticum

B.A. Filix-feemina latifolium. С. A. Filix-foemina marinum .

THE LADY FERN

Cauder stout, erect or decumbent, sometimes elongated and trunk-like, often tufted, scaly at the

crown. Seales lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, dark brown, sometimes almost black. Fidres strong,

‘kish, branched, the younger parts tomentose

‘Stipes terminal, and adherent to the caudex, from about one-third to one-fourth the entire length of

the frond, pale green or dull purplish red, stoutish, much thick

ned and assuming a kind of spindle-shape

just above the base and considerably reduced in size at the extreme base, scaly ; seales numerous on the

lower part, lanceolate

linear, dark-coloured, varying from dark reddish brown to almost b

k, fewer
and narrower on the upper part, often contorted, Rachis furnished sparingly with small narrow

melled in front, rounded behind.

deciduous senles, cha

Vernation eireinate. In the partially developed fronds the apex becomes liberated and bent down

wards in a curve like that of a shepherd's crook.

Froud very variable in size, outline, and division, herbaceous, usually of a bright tender green, егесі
spreading, or drooping. In the form we have figured (which is one of the most compound states of the

incisa type) two to three feet high, and from nin

inches to a foot broad ; but often met with mature

from one to two fect high, and from threo to six inches broad, and not unfrequently пе

ly or quite five

feet in height, with the longest pinnæ measuring ten inches. ‘The outline is lanceolate, sometimes v

broad, sometimes narrow ; the less developed forms scarcely bipinnate, the pinnules being connected by
the winged rachis, the more highly developed forms almost or quite tripinnate, the pinnules being distinct,
and divided almost, or quite, to the midvein. Pinner numerous, opposite or alternate, more distant below,

and often deflexed ; sometimes approximate, sometimes distant above ; linear-oblong, broadest at the base,

gradually narrowing to а point, pinnate. Pinnules oblong, or ovate-laiceolate, obtuse or acute ; sessile

with a broad attachment, decurrent and confluent at the base, or with a very short narrowed stalk-like

attachment ; pinnatifd with shallow 2-3-toothed lobes at the base, and simple teeth towards the apex, or

deeply pinnatifid throughout, with the lobes variously toothed—the teeth sometimes confined to the

apices of the lobes, but in the more compound forms extending along their sides ; the teeth are usu

short and blunt-pointed, but somet

nes narrowed and len;

hened, though never normally bristle-pointed.

‘The pinnules are sometimes merely patent, but frequently form a right angle with the secondary rachis

and they are sometimes flat, the teeth lying in the same plane

they become convex from the incurving

of the teeth over the sori. In some forms there is no appreciable difference in the proportionate size of
the lobes, but in others the lowest anterior lobe is considerably longer, giving an aurieulate appearance

to the pinnules, and forming a conspicuous line on each side the rachis of the pinna:

ion of the pinnules in the less divided forms consisting of a flexuous midvein, producing

alternate veins of which the lower are forked, with a venule directed into each tooth, and the upper are

simple, directed into the simple teeth at the apex of the pinnules ; in these the anterior venule of cach

fascicle bears the sorus along its anterior side. When the pinnules are more divided, the veins are
pinnately branched, several alternate venules being produced, the number corresponding with the number

of teeth ; the anterior venule is here also soriferous, so that a line of sori are produced on each side the

midvein, but in addition s

me of the other venules of the lower lobes bear sori. When the pinnules

become very deeply divi

fe

J, as in the most compound states of the plant, each of the veins produces

sever е venules, the sori then forming two lines along the lobes. The veins а

d venules terminate
in a very slight attenuated point, just within the apex of the tooth, towards which they are directed.

Fructification on the back of the fe

dispersed over the whole under surface,

THE LADY FERN
short, oblong or curved, indusiate, medial; usually occupying the anterior sido of the anterior venules,

divided forms, and then straight, short oblong $ the receptacle of the lower one, sometimes of

crossing the venule, and forming а curved sorus ; or also returning along the posterior

the venule, and forming an arcuate or horse-shoe

aped sorus. In the very much divided
varieties, this curved form of sorus is more frequent; and sometimes it is өтеп moro abundant than

the simple oblong form. In this latter stato, the fructiication may be readily mistaken for that of

‘or Jess confluent by the spreading

а Lastrea. The sori are at first distinet, but generally become mi

of the crowded spore-cases, Indusium membranaceous, the free margin cut into capillary segments.

‘Spore-cases numerous, dark brown, obovate. Spores oblong, granulate or muriculate.

Duration, The caudex is perennial, ‘The fronds are annual, appearing about May, and being

destroyed by the first frosts of autumn, ог decaying carly in the autumn, even when protected

inst frost,

he Lady Fern is not easily confounded with any other British Fern. Though related on the one

ists, it is at once dis

hand to Asplenium, and referred to that genus by many talented bo

from all the British 4 ms by its herbaceous texture, its annual fronds, and its whole habit, as well

m
splen

as by the curved or arcuate sori, On the other hand, these sori connect it in some degree with Lastrea,

and it was no doubt the examination of specimens with advanced fructifications of this form which led

toits being associated, as it was formerly, with Aspidium ; but neither is it properly referrible to the

Aspidice at all, nor is the plant sufficiently like any species of Zastrea to be mistaken for one of them.

‘The genus Athyrium, to which it is referred, is nevertheless one of doubtful character: not on the

ground stated by Mr. Newman—that Roth's typical species is Asplenium fontanum, and that we have

по right to restr

4 the genus to the “Filix-fæmina or abnormal group,” because that would be a palpable
perversion of tho authors meaning; for the fact of Asplenium fontanum occurring first in Roth's

‘enumeration of the species, does not constitute it the type of the genus, Ъ is clearly on account of its

x the smallest and the simplest of the forms he proposed to brin

together ; Roth, moreover, in his

vio character, expressly states of the indusium “margine laciniato-fimbriatum,” which character

belongs specially to the Filix-foom

» group, and does not well apply to A. fontanum. There need be no

hesitation therefore about restricting Roth's Athyrium within the limits to which he himself points, and.

thus identi p. Tt is by taking a wide

ш it with the Filix-fæmina g

d more comprehensive view
that the genus becomes doubtful. Both Presl and Fée unite Allantodia and Athyrium under the

latter namo, and characterise thé

oup mainly by the short oblong gibbous sori, and vaulted indus

but these marks pass i

nnsibly into those of Asplenium ; while the character al

ded by the fringed
indusia, on which Rot

seems partly to have relied, is too trivial for the purpose of generie definition

‘The remaining character, that of the curved arcuate

wse-shoe-shaped sori, is certainly foreign to

Agi

and indicates, as we have alread

towards Lastrea, Tt is on this

ground that we adopt the genus, from which the straight-fruited Allantodias should assuredly be

ovod to Asplenium. Тһе effect of this, though it will doubtless reduce Athyrium very much, will

not be to restrict it entirely

the forms of A. F'

y fomina, a considerable number of distinct species

similar fruetitieation,
‘the Erect Lady Fern—A. Frux-raaasa muericon—(Prare ХХХ, A.) is generally distinguishable
by its narrow erect fi

ds, and its distinct and apparently linear pinnules, which however owe their

narrowed appearance to the inflection of the points of their lobes over the

the anterior basal

pinmules are also conspicuously longer than the rest, as aro the anterior b

al lobes of all the pinnules,

The caudex grows in tufts, and produces numer

fronds, which stand uprig

and have a rigid
appearance, though in reality herbaceous, owing probably to the cireumstance of t

growing expo

as is generally the caso with this variety. The same cause, namely, exposure, often produces more or

less of convexity in the pinna. It occurs with the stipes—which is much thickened just above the base,

as is generally the case in this species—either pale green, or purplish те

The fronds grow from two to

ja

Athyriu m

THE LADY FERN.

four feet hi

h, with a narrow

iceolate outline, The pinnw are distant, the lower ones most so, as well

as deflexed ; the majority however having an upward tendency. "he secondary rachis is slender, and

without any herbaceous wing, the pinnules being set on quito distinet from each other, and very com

monly at a right angle with it ; they are narrow, and have the appearance of bein

almost linear, with

the enlarged basal lobe quite evident. This narrowed appearance results from the i

ving of the

points of tho narrow lobes into which the mar,

in is divided, whence the pinnules become convex. "Tho
lobes are toothed, The sori are developed at the base of the lobes on the anterior sides of the venules,

extending in two lines up the larger lobes, All the lobes however are so narrow, that they are neces-

from the first, and become co

sarily very near toge Juent as soon as the spore-cases begin to spread.

This form or variety is no doubt general ; it is known to occur in various places all over

gland, in

North Wales, in both the Lowlands and Hi
Miss Wi

Is of Scotland, and in the four provinces of Ireland

пез Lady Fern—A, Fnax-romusa 1armonion—(Praro XXXI. В.

looking

variation, so peculiar indeed that Mr. Babington wa

induced on his first acquaintance with it to

consider it a distinct species. It is no doubt a marked variety, and as it is reproduced from the

spores we cannot accept the views of those who regard it asa nonentity. Its principal differences lio in
the densely crowded condition, and unequal size, as well as uneven toothing or laciniation of tl

pinnules, and in the situation of the sori. "Ihe fronds aro three fect or more in height, elongate oblong-
lanceolate, flaccid, and of a dark-green colour, The stipes and rachis are stout, the former of about the
average length. ‘The pimæ are short, and distant below, approximate or even crowded upwards,
Т

irregularly linear-oblong

in outline, with a tendency to become euspida

at the apex. "The pinnules

are ovate, or oblong-ovate, blunt or sometimes acute, unequal, the anterior side being lar

est, flat,

stalked, or at least having a narrow stalk-like attachment, overlapping ; they are laciniate at the base,

the lobes oblong and irregularly toothed ; these lobes beeo

smaller upwards, and eventually towards

the apex merge into teeth, the teoth being usually but unequally tape 4L The veins

branched in the manner already described, and the sori are produced on the anterior side of the lowest

anterior venule ; but the vein becomes branched at a

vater distance from the midvein than is usually

the ease, and thus the sori, which are small, are ranged in two distant lines,
s Wrig

out midway between

the midvein and the margin, This variety was found by М nt, near Keswick, in Cumberland,
where but a plant or two was discovered, It does not appear to have occurred elsewhere, Our figure

taken from a specimen of moderate size, kindly communicated by Mr. F. Clowes, of Windermere

exhibits a curious sport in one of its pinne, in which the rachis has become elongated, so that the

pinnules do not stand in the usual imbrieated position.

Dickie's Lady Fern—A tC (Pramg XXXI. C)—is a small plant,

be known by the exactly elliptie-lanecolate out

ne of its fronds and by its erowded oblong pinnules,

which are connected at the base, and notched with blunt shallow teeth, which latter in many fronds are

mostly simple. ‘The fronds are from a foot to а foot and a half long, spreading, or sub-decumbent, rigid,

scarcely bipinnate. The upper pinnw are spreading, the lower ones deflexed. The

les, largest

next the rachi very obtuse, crowded

slightly overlapping, connected by a narrow wing,

the margin rather toothed than lobed, the indentations being shall

w, and the projection on the upper

half seldom more than blunt simple or somewhat retuse notches, though below they are generally two

4, and sometimes are deeper, as well as bifid nearly to the apex. Тһе sori are Iunate, or

with a tendency to assume the arcuate or horse-shoe-shaped form, and are ranged in a double

n becomin;

line along the pinnules, sometimes distinet, but o confluent, It is with us а very constant

and neat-growing plant, having the above-mentioned peculiarities ; b

we have scen fronds said to be

produced by plants of this variety, in which the pinnules were less blunt, and the lobes were deeper, and

bifid or trifid at their apex. It was originally found by Dr. Dickie in a cave by the sea, in the neigh

bourhood of Aber

1; and a plant almost exactly resemblin

it, has been recently gathered by Dr

Allehin, in the Isle of Man.

ТНЕ LADY FERN.

row readily in good

The different forms of Lady Fern aro easily cultivated. All the larger ones gi

ind shelter. "The

light loamy or peaty soil, and like plenty of moisture, and for the most part shad
y called erispum, and the smaller

variety rluetienm perhaps prefers exposure

mpness about the crowns in
abnormal forms, are rather apt to sustain injury from too much confined dampness ab

most beautiful of the larger

winter. The species in its varied phases may be considered one of the

deciduous native

attempting to enumerate for the use of cultivators, as well as for the ini

have not been always able to assign

e many forms in which tho Lady Fern appears, w

„diate forms tho one into the other. After,

to them exact limits, for in many eases they pass by int

however, having for several years given much attention to this subject, we have como to the
morally believed. We

conclusion that there is more of permanence and constancy among them than i

have rediscovered several recognisable forms, but with an increase of vigour, in the same situations

result of

after a lapse of six or eight years, so that the variations in these eases were at least not

age. We have removed others to the garden, and have not found them to vary beyond the acquisition

of an increase of vigour under cultivation ; and we have removed plants of the less compound forms

from the open air to a shady greenhouse, without inducing any change of habit, or producing

thereby even an approximation to the more compound forms, On the other hand

r ation; but we have had no opportunity of

æticum especially, is reported to change under culi

mting with this form, which, as far as servations go, owes its peculiar appea

ances to its growing naturally in exposed wet 5 when removed to the shelter of a garden

it по doubt becomes more lax, but even then we beliove it may be identified, Every part of the

plant — the scales, the stipes, the outline and direction of the frond, the form, attachment, and

direction of the pimules, and the size and position of the sori—is so liable to vary, that it is difficult to

determine what peculiarities are of the highe ye varieties, and

value in endeavouring to set limits to

er all, much reliance must be placed on dif

ences which the eye detects but which the pen fails to

record. For this reason especially, few of the forms below enumerated are consi

‚red to have any

other botanical imp

tance than that of proving the variabili

of what aro called species, We have
however, thou

it better to notice all that were known to us, than to cast the most puzzling aside as

“diseased or malformed or ‘not having any botanical existence.’ Тһе testing of the constancy ог

inconstaney of the forms of such variable plants as the pr

nt, with patience and perseverance under
fair conditions of culture, is worthy the attention of those Fern-g

rowers who have space for the

experiments, The enumera

on which follows, of the modifications of form occurring amo

Lady Ferns, is enriched by many notes and memoranda from Mr, Wollaston
1. confluens (ML). А very remarkable form, found by Mr. A. Tait, of Edinburgh, “in the seam ofa

perpendicular rock, on the side of one of the pine-covered n

intains near Dunkeld,” in 1853. It has а

jd егесі appearance, The original fronds were about nine inches high, but the plant has

not recovered th

effects of its removal, which was effected with difficulty. The pinn are about an

inch long, the basal pinnule distinet, with shallow two or three

hed lobes, the rest crowded,

confluent at the baso, pinnatifdly lobed, with distinct blunt

seth, In the original fronds these
influent pinnules were considerably reduced in size

2. latifolium (Bab), Mr. Wollaston’s notes o

this variety, already described above

е fronds are ovate-lanceolate, subtripinnate, the lobes of ti

id but thinly cloth

© pinnules being eut almost to the
midvein ; the stipes is short, а

1 with seals.

The pinnze are alternate, approximate

ов the upper part of the fi

d, distant below, lineartanecolate. ‘The pinnules, which are crowded

and

12, are stipitate, ovate, and deeply and irn

опар

and елу of cultivation, but retains its abnormal charactor best in the open ait

3. marinum (М). Of this Mr. Wolke

ws: This variety differs c

ee anaki

EIER,

RINTING Athyrium Vilix-feemina multifidum .

THE LADY FE

53

the common forms of the species in being nearly prostrate and very rigid. ‘The scales, which thickly

clothe the lower portion of the stipes, are of an intense brown colour, almost black. The fronds,

which are sub-bipinnate, vary much in size, and are exactly lanceolate, the shortening of the pinna: from

the centre of the frond being equal, both towards the apex and the base. The pinn taper but little

from the rachis for two-thirds of their length, and from thence into

somewhat acuminate point.
‘The pinnules are crowded and overlapping, oblong and blunt, and simply notehed,

4, stenodon (М). А very elegant form of small size,

ing from one foot to а foot and a half in

height. The pinnules are united by a na

row wing along the rachis, and are approximate, linear

oblong, pinnatifid with toothed lobes below, simply toothed above, the teeth

‚pienously nar

and somewhat elongated. "The rachis is palo dull red. It has been communicated from Ilfracombe, by

tho Rev. J. М. Chanter, and from Gomshall, by Mr. E. Morse. The м

ss are pale tawny brown ; but
able
athered on Snowdon, by Mr. W. Pamplin, and.

in a closely allied plant, from Devonshire, they are black. ‘The fine elegant toothi

5. acuminatum (М). A very curious dwarf variety,

constant under cultivation. It has a short stipes, with narrow contorted scales; fronds rather more

than a foot high ; and somewhat

'owded pinnæ, ending in a longish serrated acumen. ‘The pinnules are

distinct, but decurrent, oblong but often narrowed below, crowded, patent, pinnatifid below, and cut

around the blunt apex into longish acute teeth. Tt is altogether a slender-looking and elegant plant,
Mr. E. J. Lowe has sent a similar form from Clitheroe, Lancashire
6. excurrens (М). The general appearance of this plant is that of molle, but the points of the pinnas,

and sometimes of the pinnules and tecth, run out into dia

hanous hair-like points, which have the
appearance of being an exeurrent growth of the veins. It was found at Tunbridge Wells in 1853, and

acombe by the Rev. J. M.

is cultivated by Mr. Wollaston. А similar variety has been found near If

Chanter
7. pruinosum (ML), This resembles the moderately developed growths of molle, but has the stipes

and rachides covered with small glands, which give them a hoary appearance, somewhat resembling

pubescence, It occurs with both red and

reen stipes. ‘The form, with red stipes, we found at Tarbet

in Dumbartonshire; and a very similar plant was gathered by Dr. Allchin in the Isle of Маш

Another state, rather moro Јах, and with pale green stipes, has been found by Dr, Allchin at Virginia

Water, Surrey

8. odontomanes (М.ф). A small form, growi

a foot to а foot and a half high. It has broadly

lanceolate fronds, short broad acuminate pin

o, and rather distant patent pin 'urrent at the pos-

ifid, the lobes toothed with

terior base, deeply pinni ongated orlinear acute irregular teeth. ‘The most

marked form was sent from Conistone,

by Miss В. Beever. We have analo

but narrower, found in Denbighshire by Mr. Pritehard

others elosely aki t Virginia Water and in the

Isle of Man, by Dr. Allehin ; and by ourselves at Glen Croe, in Argyleshire, and Tarbet, in Dumbarton
shire, It may be regarded as a long-toothed and usually small, often narrow, form of the molle group.

9. molle (Roth). The form, which we consider to be the A. molle of Roth, is a small plant of from

one to two feet high, lax with rather distant pinus; the pinnules oblong bluntish, having a broad

attachment, and more or less obviously connected at the base by the narrow wing of the rachis ; they

are pinnatifid, the lobes oblong, and the lowest two or thrco-toothod, tho rest notched or simple. The

larger states of this form, in which the pinnules become more distant, rather less conspicuously united
at the base, and rather more deeply toothed, correspond with a specimen of the Polypodium molte of

Schreber, preserved in Sir J. E. Smith's herbarium. We believe it is not at all an u

mmon plant,

but it is met with under several conditions differing in size, and in the degree of toothing, and of con-

the lar

x forms merging into trifidum.

fluence in the pinnule

10. trifidum (Roth). This is a larger plant than molle, with more distinct pinnules, the latter of

ut half way to the midrib

an oblong lanceolate form, rather larger at the base on the anterior side, an

into lobes, the majority of which, in the typical states, are entire at the edges, and three-lo

THE LADY FERN

confluent. It is a common plant. Possibly it

apex. The sori are near to the midrib, and often beco
ho commoner small plants referred to

may be the more highly developed condition of some

molle; or, it may be a loss developed stato of the ineinum group. We believe, however, that

le and odontomanes, are permanently distinct. from

some at Teast of the forms referred above to mo

the more divided forms representing tho incisum and rhætieum groups,

11. oratum (Roth), This is more readily identified, from being figured by Müller. Tt grows from

two to three feet: high, with broad lanceolat i are: ОЕ заноне

of the lobes not

st on the anterior side, deeply pinnatifid, the toothi

obtuse at the points, flat, largi
confined to their apices, The sori are placed in two lines near the midrib, and a tendency is shown to

developo more than one on the basal lobes. Tt does not appear to be very frequent.
”

12, obtusum QML). This has broad fronds, about two fect high, the leafy portion about half as broad

as long. ‘The pinnules are flat, distinct, obliquely and very obtusely ovate-oblong, somewhat deeurrent

behind, eut into a few broad variously-toothei lobes, the teeth short and bluntish. It has somewhat

va dilatata, Тһе sori form two lines nearer the midrib

the appearance of blunt pinnuled forms of Zas
than the margin. It was found at Virginia Water by Dr. Allehin.

13. frondosum (М.). "This is a larger and more compound state, two to three feet high, with broad

ds having a n

lanceolate fronds, and broad approximate pinnse ; the fro ө crowded leafy appearance

the frond are sometimes seven-cighths of an inch long, and

than usual. The pinnnles near the contro

fully three-eighths in breadth, pyramidal, pinnatifid nearly to the midrib, the lobes oblong toothed, and

the lower ones bearing several sori, in which the tendency to become arcuate is strongly marked, that

nearest the midvein of the pinnule, on each lobe, being uniformly horse-shoe-shap

1. The stipes and

rachis are red in plants we have met with at Mayford. A very similar form has been sent us from Den.

Dighshire by Mr. Pritchard ; and another form which belongs here also, has been sont by Mr. E. J. Lowe

14. davallioides (W.). This sin

lar aberration from the normal form was discovered in 1854, near

Castle Kelly, in the county of Dublin, Ireland. Dr. Kinahan, its discoverer, describes the pinnules

to be pinnatiid ; “the indentations entire at their edges, and bearing the sori in the a

The spore

ceases project beyond the edge of the frond, which, added to the bulging forwards of the substance of the

pinnule, gives the plant much the appearance of a Davallia, tho

wh of course differing from that genus

in the shape and position of the indusium ; the segments bear but a singl

raro ; and only known to us from the

bove memoranda, communicated by Mr. Wollaston.

15. ineisum (Ноћна. This re

resents the species in its highest state of development, the pinnules being
so deeply divided that the fronds become almo

thery fronds, Tn one e

with broad dropi
by Mr, в

Т ample now before us, gathered in the county Clare, Ireland,

arrington, the height is about five foot, and the breadth one foot, the pinnw which are
ascending being quite nino inches long, and the pinnules an inch and a half long, and five-cighths of

fan inch wide at the base, Three to four feet is not an uncommon height for this variety, which puts

‘on many appearances, and in one

т of its conditions is not infrequent. А form of it less

‘common, has the divisions of tho pinnules more narrowed and distinct than usual, but equally deeply eut
аз represented in Prate XXX, which is perhaps the most elegant state ipei

f this really graceful species

16. larum (chum), This is like the last in bein

a largo broad much divided form, but in well

of the anterior basal lobe of the long narrow pinnules, which form a line on each side the n ib

mens from the neighbourhood of Shrewsbury, in the collection of the

first attracted our notice in spe

Rev. W. A.

Leight

1, and we have since received it from many localities in the three king

it does not appear to be an accidental condition, but a distinct and permanent form,

It accords with
Schumacher's deseription of his Athyrium

ion of the anterior lobe into a kind

auricle, indicates an appro

h towards the variety rhertioum, in which the same kind of е

manifest, but all our specimens are much broader

and more lax than the latter plant. We may add.

%

A. Athyrium Filix-feemina crispum 7»

В. А. Ешх-Кетша depauperatum. С. А. Filix femina. dissectum

RINTED BY BRADBURY & EVANS. WHITEE

НЕ LADY FERN

that in all the compound forms of Lady Fern the anterior basal lobes are longer than the rest; but

what occurs in this variety is an exaggerated and more manifest elongation.

17. rhatioum (in). "This in its normal state, as already stated, is peculiar on account of its narrow

erect fronds, its ascending pinne, and linear-lanceolate pinnules, which are rendered still

nore appa

rently linear by the incurving of the points of the lobes, It has the prolonged anterior basal lobe.

We have had no opportunity of testing the effect of growing this plant in shade, but we

should suspect

we to the Inst

it would be to produce a resem amd this appears to be really the case,

for we learn from Mr. Wollaston, that when grown as a pot plant in the greenhouse, it with

the appearance of the less developed states of ineisum. The form is

not uncommon in ex y places; and two or three states of it өсе

т; one which Mr. D,

Moore informs us is not uncommon in Ireland, has shorter but equally distinct pinnules, and

the same erect habit. Tt also occurs with the stipes and rachis either red or green, Aspidinm

oubt a small state of the

irriguum is no een form of this variety, and is perhaps permanently
smaller

18. dissectum (W.). This, and the following, are more or less of an abnormal character. This has

fronds scarecly exceeding a foot in height, broadly oval, and of very irregular development, Tho

unequal, the pinnules rather distant, decurrent, unequal in size and irregular in form, but
for the most part ovate-oblong, blunt, and eut into distant unequally-toothed lobes, Mr. Wollaston

remarks, “It bears some analogy to premorsum, being irregularly

ей both in the pinne and

pinnules, but it is of the usual size and fertile. Tt might bo described as a full-grown, fully developed
fertile pramorsum. It is beautifully lax and elegant in its habit, ‘The pinnules are decurrent and

deeply and irregularly incised, It was found by Dr. Young in Ireland, and is rare and const

nt in

cultivation,” А plant lately found by Mr. S. Jervis of Darlaston Hall, Staffordshire, in that neighbour-

hood, is very similar, and others found by ourselves at Tarbet, and by Dr. Allchin in the Isle of Man,

are analogous, but n

ıt quite identical.
19. pramorsum (М). This curious dwarf and as yet barren form "was found by Dr. Dickie on

Ben-na Muich-dhu, at an altitu

of 3700 feet, in 1846, and has since that time proved constant

under cultivation.

fronds, which rarely attain a height of eight inches, are of an irregular ovate

lanceolate outline, The pinnw are unequal, and the pinnules

e oblong and decurrent, lacerate, and

irregular, as if they had been partially eaten by an insect. It is exceedingly rare. It is possible

this form may belong to Polypodium alpestre
20. irregulare (М). A curious variety, in which the pinne are distant, furnished in their upper

half with 1

aranceolate incised pinnules three-fourths of an inch long, those on the lower half,
except the basal anterior one, which is long and marrow, very much though irregularly shortened,

frequently roundish or fan-shaped and pinnatifid, with serrated lobes, intermixed with longs

It has been found by Mrs, Rogers in Belvoir Woods, Rutlandshire, in 1854; and similar plants have

Black Park, Buckinghamshire ; and in

been met with by Dr. Allehin at Virginia Water, Surrey

the Isl

of Man,
21. laciniatum (ML). A very pretty small form found near Nettlecombe, in 1853, by Mr. Elworthy

and sineo quite consta

in cultivation, "The outline is irr

the pinne being сали

others preemorse, and som

quite short. ‘The pinnules are decurrent, variable in size and form, and

о of the lobes,

very irregularly Ineiniated, the sori numerous and erowded about the ba

22. abruptum. (М). A singular monstrosity, with somewhat the aspect of marinum. The fronds

variable in form ; those which are most marked have the pinnæ, which are crowded, partially
depauperated, roundish, or transversely oblong, and unequally ent into coarse lobes or teeth, the

few pinnules here and there, which bear something like a normal character being bluntly oblo

with broad shallow-toothed lobes. At the apices of most of the pinn one or two of the pinnules

»rmal gradually tapering apex is wanting, which together with the dilatation of the

THE LADY FERN

apex of the fronds give them an appenrance of peculiar abruptness Sometimes the frond is narrower,

the apex lengthened out, and here and there the pinna: are terminated by a somewhat clon

pinnule set end ating abruptly. Occasionally a normal frond is pr

may be compared to but with the pinnules narrower and more deeply lobed, whilst the.
lobes are smaller and more finely notehed, This was found by Dr. Allehin at Port Erin, in the Isle
of Man; and in ıe island another somewhat larger plant, closely related to the normal frond

юзо described, was met wit

E uptum (W.). This form partakes much of the characteristics of ramorum, but is sufficiently
distinct from it. The fronds rarely branch, except near the summit, and there are only simply bie
ог trisfureate, The рімме vary considerably in this respect, being remarkably variable in length,
shape, and division ; their apices are almost always divided simply or multifidly, and the serratures
of the pinnules are genera and acutely eut. ‘There are two slight modifications of

1, by Mr. Wollaston. Both are rare and

this var me raised from seed by Mr. J. Young
in a batch of seedling plants at Ambleside, W

24. ramosnm (W.). This, unlike п the other fo

tions being very unequal. The pinna» are, so to speak, of every possible form and length, those on.
fone division of the frond being normal, whilst on another some are long, some short, incised,
interrupted, depauperated, Inciniated, abortive, or often altogether wanting. The pinnules have the

mmetrieal development, their serratures being either one, two, or three-cleft on
the same pinnule, It is sparingly fertile, and permanent under cultivation. It was found by
W. W. Reeves, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent

his: form differs from preemorsun

in being of the usual size, and fertile

ant and large, that they are alm.

t confluent. The outline of the frond is normal,
and the same may be said of the pinne, but they are somewhat depauperated. The pinnules are very

irregularly laciniated, and to

and (what is very unusual) are frequently bifid or multifid. Tt
was found near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, by Mr. Wollaston ; and a very similar form has been found by
Dr. Allehin at Cahir Conree, in Ireland. Another plant, somewhat more regular and normal-looking,
with а tendency to dilatat

Isle of Man.

the points of the pinnules, was gathered in 1855, by Dr. Allehin, in the

26. polycludos (AL). Under this head we include several lan

much-divided ram

forms found

in Devonshire and Guernsey. ‘They

undoseribable, no two fro

One before us from Devonshire, o

М. Chanter, is three-b

branches bipinnate di

imes bifid; the pinnules

irregular in size, shape, and division. Another from Guernsey, sent by Mr. C Jackson, has tho pinnae

excessively developed, and becoming braneh-like in the middle of the frond, while those at the base

as well as apex app

1. The pinnules on the larger pinnae are often an incl

i& quite again pinnate, the secondary pinnules pinnatifid with inciso

iniate lobes,

dactylon (М). This is а monstrous plant of the ineisa typo, with flat, ovate, пово

pinnatifd pinne. Its peculiarity consists in the apices of the pinnw being furcately divided into

rmal-Iooking—not erisped—points ; in other words, they aro plane, and bi-tri
forked. It was found near

a frond. We

fureate at the ti

he apex of the frond is also several tim

Nettlecombe by Mr. C. Elworthy, to whom we are indebted for learn from Mr

Elworthy that he finds the fr

ls of this variety to perish six weeks earlier than those of the some

28. furcatum (ML), This is a fürente monstrous form of one of the less divided typos. Tho ends of

in the tips; and the apex of the

frond is divided into a short tassel, 10 was found near Ilfracombe, by the Rev. J. М. Chanter; and is,

же learn, constant,
29. multifidum (М. ; cristatum (W.). This is the most beautifully symmetrical—yet monstrous

graceful permanent variety which has yet been found, equally beautiful and exactly analogous with

the variety cristata of the Male Fern. Its habit co

ds exactly with the usual form of the plant;

but it differs in having the apices of the frond, pinnae, and (in well-grown plants) the pinnules most

exquisitely tasselled or divided into a lash of branches. "he tips of the pinn are in fact many times

dichotomous, with the apices dilated

nd incised. It belongs to the rhaticum group. Mr. Wollaston
suggests, with a view to uniformity in the names of corresponding varieties, that this ought to be called

cristatum on account of its similarity to the crested f

m of the Male Fern ; but it seems imp

without continually changing the names in u

at this uniformity, so that
Fern-cultivators should adopt the rule which botanists have established on this point, and avoid mere

changes, Our plate of this

ty necessarily represents a small specimen ; when lange and at the same

time well grown, it is far handsomer. This form was

Ireland, by Mr. D. Moore, in со

1 near the Seven Churches, in Wick

pany with Mr. Newman ; and it or similar forms have also been
reported to have been found in Clare, by Dr. Kinahan, and in Killarney, by Mr. Ogilby
30. depauperatum (W.); ramosum (ML). A remarkable monstrosity which, although it somewhat

resembles the last, differs from it essentially in its 1

msymmetrieal development. The apex of the
frond is much more deeply lacerate

split up into numerous corymbiform tassels. The pinna» are

also tasselled, depa

uporated, Ineiniated, and irr

lar, and the pinnules very irregular, bluntly toothed,

and frequently altogether wanting, "The sori are fi

'ntly abortive. It is an exceedingly rare variety

and was found, it appears, many years since, by Mr. J

Junning (at that time foreman in the Dublin College
n to Dr. Mackay

wre the appearance of а tuft of fine

Botanic Garden), near Ben Bulben in Sligo, Ireland. Cultivators owe its distribut

31. erispum (М); Smithié (Hort). This

curled parsley than of a Fern. It is of slender and dwarfish habit, and the fronds aro ramified in
every possible way, the rachis being divided very irregularly, and each apex densely tufted. The pinnae

and pinnules

very unsymmetrically laciniated, and frequently wanting for a long portion of the

stipes. The fruetification is generally ab

tive, as in the last, but, as in that, not always so. It was

originally found by Mr. A. Smith “on the Hill Orah,” Antrim, Ireland ; subsequently in Corymulzio
Lynn, “Braemar, Scotland, by Sir W. C. ‘Trevelyan; and recently at Todmorden,

Mr. J. Наада

Lancashire, by

То this species, and possibly to the variety rhaticum, belo

ше a plant ^ gathered on y* mountains of
Mourne, in y" county of Down," by Sherard, and now preserved in the University Herbarium, Oxford
It is the Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum of Six J. E. Smith, and is referred to Asplenium acutum by
Mr. Newman! Sir J. E. Smith correctly describes it as of a delicate membranous texture, the leaflets

finely lacini

te and without fructification, We are indebted to Mr. М. Т. Masters, sub-curator of the

Fielding Herbarium, for a photograph of Sherard’s plant, which (ау

an Athyrium, Tt is assuredly not at all like Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, or Asplenium acutum.

‘The frond is about a foot long, linear-lane

te, bipinnate, with narrow oblong pinnas, of which it

would appear that the veins are more perfectly developed than the parenchyma, hence the appearan

of being palmately laciniate. Tt is just such a state

might be expected to be pre

din a dark

cave, in which this is said to have grown,

the normal and monstrous state; we may especially refer to the ‘gatherings’ of Dr. Allchin, in the

Isle of Man ; of the Rev

M. Chanter, in Devonshire; of Mr. Wollaston, in ke District

and of Mr. Clapham, in Yorkshire. These

have been too recently « admit of

Prare XXXV.

THE SMOOTH ROCK SPLEENWORT

(ASPLENIUM. FONTANUM).

ASPLENIUM, Linneus.

Clusters of Spore-cases linear, oblo he inner or
anterior side of the veins or venules, furnished with an indusium or membranous

um of the same form, en
the inward sid

that towards the midvein or axis of venation,
united at their extremities, their branches (eenules) simple or forked
urcately branched without a midvein.

А. толтаном; dwarf; fronds linear-lanecolate broadest upwar
pinne oblong

brous,

ovate; pi

ules small obovate-cuneate, with a few
lar, pointed teeth ; rachis narrowly winged throughout; sori

Smith, Foro Brite

THE SMOOTH ROCK SPLEENWORT.

Caudez short, erect, tufted, scaly. Scales subulato, dark brown, semi-transparent, the tissue striate

anched, dark brown, tomentose

with elongate parallel cells, iles slender, b

en upwards, usually about one-third

Stipes sl

the length of the frond, furnished at the base with a few very small deciduous scales ; terminal and

adhen

int to the caudex. | each green, with a narrow elevated margin or wing throughout, the may
extending nearly to the hase of the stipes.

Vernation circinate

n or twelve

varying from about two and a half to

Fronds aver ur or five inches in length,

inches, rigid, dark green, smooth, erect or spreading, narrow-lanceolate, broadest above the middle,

ower ones smaller, palmately three-lobed and more

bipinnate, Pinna oblong-ovate, spreading ; the

ules roundish 9

distant; the uppermost ones oblong, and more crowded. Pin ovate, tapering to the
base, the lover ones distinctly stalked on the narrowly-winged secondary rachis, the upper more decur
rent; their margins deeply notched, with from two or three to five or seven coarse, angular, spinosely-

mucronate teeth.

Venation of the principal pinnules consisting of a flexuous midvein, sending off alternate simple
veins, one of which is directed towards each tooth, and extends almost to its apes.

Fructification on the back of the frond, most copious upwards, but extending nearly to the base

‘Sori, or clusters of spore-cases, small, short oblong, from two to four on each pinnule, attached near

the base of the veins on their anterior side ; at first distinct, but often becoming confluent and forming

es over the centre of the pinnules ; indusiate, Jndusinm short oblong, white,

large shapeless n

usually straight behind, sometimes a little curved ; rounded, entire, and sometimes slightly wavy on

the free margin. Spore-cases small, roundish, Spores angular, rough.

Duration. "The caudex is perennial. ‘The fronds aro also persistent, the plant being evergreen, and

continuing in growth the whole year, under favourable conditions.

‘This Fern is readily known among the British Aspfenice, by its bipinnato fronds, taken in conjunction

with their small stature, and the minuteness of their parts, six inches in length for the frond, and half

an inch for the pinnas being rather above the average growth. Apart from this diserepaney in size, it

very much resembles A. Zancoolatum, the structure of its parts being nearly identical, but in the latter

the lower pinnæ do not diminish ju so marked a degree.

anists continue to place this species in Athyrium, as originally proposed by Roth, but the

plant is too nearly akin to A. lanceolatum to be separated from it, and the general structure of its sori

is asplenioid not athyricid. ‘There is occasionally manifested a very slight tendency to produce the

arcuate sori characteristic of Athyrium, but this does not occur

in а sufficient degree to necessitate

the removal of the species from Asplenium, with which in all other respects it so exactly accords,

It is an casily-grown frame or greenhouse Fern, particularly desirable in a small collect

а from its

small size and evergreen habit. Tt sh

ild be potted in well-drained porous so

osod of turfy peat,
with a small proportion of loam, and abundance of sand. The erown of the plant may be advantageously

raised somewhat above the general surface in potting, by being wedged

B.Asplenium lanceolatum .

A.Asplenium fontanum.

RINTING.

THE SMOOTH ROCK SPLEENWORT

of sandstone, or some similar y

ous material Tt is inerensed without difficulty by division. A

cent mass of this plant, cultivated by Dr. Young, can be seareely less than a foot in diameter

with fronds eight or ten inches long.

‘This plant is not much given to variation, Mr. Wollaston notices a variety, multifidum, in which
the fronds are occasionally bifid or multifid at the apex; this state is not uncommon, but it is also
not permanent,

Im

d plants having this tendency sometimes produce a few of the pinne unusually

Mr. Wollaston proposes for another supposed variety, of dubious origin, the

ше of proliferum.
‘This interesting plant, which has been known to us since 1851, is so remarkably distinct, that were it

not for the ob

ity of its history, we should, without any hesitation, claim for it specific rank

‘Though most like A. fontanum of our British species, it is in

quite unlike that plant in several of.
its characters. We do not recognise it in any published descriptions, nor can we find any specimens

to which we can refer i

in Sir W. J. Hooker's magnificent collection. The fronds we received in 1851
were from the gardens at Pepor-Harrow Park, Surrey. Tt has since bgen exhibited at the metropolitan

fates by Mr. Parker, nurseryman, of Hornsey, who, we bel

хе, holds the stock of it, and whose plants
were obtained from Mr. Williams, gardener to С. B. Warner, Esq, of Hoddesdon, Mr. Williams

reports that about six years since he received it, as A. viride, from a gardener, whose friend had found

it in Scotland, and sent three plants. This person, whose name was Filden, it appears died soon after

the occurrence. Compared with A. fontanum, the fronds are longer and narrower in proportion, being

seven or eight inches high, and not more than three-fourths of an inch wide. ‘They have а dark brown

rachis throug!

out, which is not distinctly winged, as in fontanum, although there is a slight

decurrent line at the upper angles between the pino ; the outline is different, being equal and almost

linear, not broader
ET

and the fronds are proliferous. Mr. Wollaston remarks, that “its having been associated with

upwards ; the

wer pinnw are scarcely more distant than the rest, and they are

ieted in a remarkable manner, as well as much less divided ; the habit of growth is spreading,

eiride, and partaking so much of the aspect of that species as to have deceived some of our best
P "

pteridologists, is at least cireumstantial evidence of its British origin. The little bulbils are formed

principally at the junction of the pinnw with the rachis” We are so convinced of its distinctness,

that notwithstandi

its dubious history, we shall add the accompanying definition, to furnish

means for its recognition, and in the h

ре that the attention of botanist

may be directed to

its ro-discovery

A. refractum : fronds linear subbipimmate ; pinme short oblong obtuse, refracted

pinnate at the base, pinnatifid above ; pinnules (the lowest anterior one only
distinct, the rest more or less confluent) roundish, with a few coarse angular
onate teeth, the upper two-four toothed, the lower ones overlap
t д oblique, in а line on each side near the c

ured, marginate above, not winged, bulbil-bearing.

ta of the pinnas ; rachis

chestnut-
Hab. ? Scotland.

Prare XXXV. в.

THE LANCEOLATE SPLEENWORT
UM).

(ASPLENIUM LANCEOLAT

ASPLENIUM, Linnaeus,

Clusters of Spore-cases linear, oblong or elongate, straight, attached along the inner or

anterior side of the veins or venules, furnished with an indusium or membranor

cover. Indusium of the same form, entire or somewhat jagged on the n

ig the inward side, or that towards the midvein or axis of venation.
Veins disanited at their extremities, their branches (venules) simple or forked
sometimes fureately branched without a midvein,

opening alo

ovate-lanceolate
| tho teeth coarse

А. лахсвотатом: fronds lanceolate, rigid, glabrous, bipinnate ; ріш

pinnules obovate or obliquely ovate, blunt, lobed or tooth

ightly elevated margins in front, not winged,
produced towards the margin,

angular, mucronate ; rachis with sli
minutely sealy ; sori short, obl

ls Britannico, iv 7. Henker end Aral, Bitch Flow, Uf. 2

Arias жалақыға, К Presl, Tatesen rideo, 106.

антов каяки Poiret, Engl +. 510 пты).

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

Рама XXXV. n-Aerunssen rasonousre 1, from Jey Dr Allin. 3, ron Guernsey 0. Voley

Candee short, thick, erect or decumbent, tufted, densely scaly. Scales elongately subulate,

shining brown, cellulosely-striate, Fires stout, branched, tomentose
frond, usually about a third of the whole length, sometimes longer, dark

Stipes shorter than thi

ured below, which colour extends more or less along the back of the rachis; terminal

THE LANCEOLATE SPLEENWORT

1 adherent to the rhizome. achis flat in front, with a slight elevated margin, rounded behind,

furnished sparingly with slender jointed hair-seales ; partial rachides, w and also furnished

with similar hairs
Vernation eiveinate

Fronds from three or four inches to a foot, or occasionally eighteen inches in length, rigid, bright

narrowing to a

green, smooth except on rachides, lanceolate, bipinnate. Pinna broadest at the b
point, usually horizontal, sometimes deflexed, scarcely more than half an inch in the smaller, two inches

long in the larger fronds, all even the lowest scarcely stalked, sub-opposite or alternate; the lower

more distant and somewhat shorter. Pinnales variable in form, obovate, obliquely-ovate, or dimidintely

e at the base ; in the

‚cd, always more or loss cum

larger fronds they are pinnatifid below, with obovate sharply-toothed lobes, and coarsely toothed abov

the teeth being mucronate ; in the smaller fronds the lobes are scarcely developed, the

ır; sometimes the fronds are

«у mueronately-toothed, Occasionally the lower pinnæ are lo

narrow nd in other instances they aro membranaceous,

ind only pinnate with lobed pinna

оГ а fexuous midvein, alternately branched, the lowest anterior

Venation of the pinnules consistin

1 teeth, on

vein directed to the principal lobe, and developing as many venules as there are margina

the margin ; the other veins are forked or

venule extending into each tooth, but not quite reaching

simple, and correspond in number with the marginal teeth.

Fruetification on the back of the frond and scattered over its whole surface. Sort indusiate, oblong,

terior side of the venules, that is, above the fork of the veins, occupying rather the
centro of the lobes than the centre of the pinnules, which gives a sub-marginal appearance to the

fructiication ; at first distinct, but becoming confluent in irregular masses on the lobes, Occasion:

the sori are set back to back on the venule ; and they are some

confluent over nearly the whole frond, Zndusium а white, oblong, slightly

wavy on the fre

ır anterior margin. Spore-cases globose. Spores ovate, angular, roughish,
Duration, The rhizome is perennial. ‘The fronds are persistent, and under shelter are produced at

various times throughout the year, so that the plant is evergreen,

The affinity of this plant is with Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, from which it may be known by
its lanceolate, not deltoid, outline ; by the presence of hair-seales on its principal and partial rachides ;
by the form of the sori, which is oblong, not linear, the sorus in A. Zanceolatum being nearly represented
in appearance by the upper half of that of A. Adiantum-nigrum ; and further, by the position of the.

sori, which is here produced above, and in A. Adiuntum-nigrum below the fork of the veins, consequently

nearer the costa, so that in the latter the sofi aro central with respect to the pinnules, whilst in

A. lance

дабат they are submarginal. The texture is thinner, and the pinnules more equable in size.

‘This is a very ornamental species, a

d with us potted in well drained soil of peat, loam, and sand,

ıd subjected tothe shelter of a shady frame or greenhouse, not kept excessively moist, it is one of

the most manageable of the small

evergreen species, always fresh and vigorous.

ОГ variations, hardly varieties, Mr. Wo

ton enumerates three :—"1. multifidum (W), а non-

permanent form, in which the apex of the frond is occasionally bifid or multiid. 2. protiferum (W,

an exceedingly scarce condition of the plant, having only been observed in two instances, namely,
by Mr. Baxter, of Oxford, and the Rev. W. H. Hawker, in both eases on cultivated plants. 3, tact

niatum (УУ), the peculiarity o

which is, that the fronds are remarkably depaupera

the leafy portion

being in some cases entirely wanting j

nd. the fructification, which is generally ve

y copious, protrudes
оп to the face of the frond, so that an inattentive ob:

ver would not distinguish the front from the

back, The pinnse and pinnules in this latter are frequently mere ribs or veins ; it is sub-permanent,

id not uncommon in the Channel Isles” Mr. Jackson, of Gus

sey, sends another from that island,

in which the margins of the pinnules are so curled under, as to gi

Ye unusual prominence to the
thickened tooth ; it may be called (4) erispatun.

Clusters of Spore

anterior side of the veins or

Lares XXXVI. X2

үп.

ТНЕ BLACK MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT

(ASPLENIUM ADIANTON-NIGRUN).

acs linea

cover. Indusium of the same form, entire or somewhat ja

long the i

sometimes fare

ar, oblo

, Linens,

te, straight, attac
'enulos, furnished with

d side, or that towards the midvein 6
d at their extr

A. ADIANTUXNIORU; fronds ovate or deltoid, acute or acuminate

bi- tri-pin

ovate or ovate-elon;

oblong, or

ptrapezoid, cune

toothed or simply toothed

OBTUSUX; fronds ovat
acuminate ; pinnules

матем; fronds deltoid, tripinnate thr

‘ones especially, caudate

the lobes linear, ve

t

o at the ba
teeth acute ; sori linear-clon;

hed alo

on t

glabrous, sub

Ме; pinne obliquely triangular, obtuse or acuminate
uate, pinnate or pinnatifid, the ultimate div
lowly lobed with the lobes

irato, conti

the inner or
indusium or membranous

nities, their branches (eennles) simple or forked
ly branched without a midvein.

ious to the

ller and less divided; pine blunt or bluntish, not

their rounded apices toothed

as the pi
olate, in

is the lower
pinnatifid,

SPLEENWORT

THE BLACK MAIDENHAIR

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.

Сонды: short, thick, tufted, often decumbent, sealy. Sealer lanceolate below, extended into a long

hair-like point, dark brown, shining, cellulosely striate bel utish, numerous, branched,

a

Stipes elongated, usually about as ior than, the leafy portion of the frond,

dark purplish brown, bearing about the base a few scales like tho

flat and slightly grooved in front, rounded behind; terminal and adherent to the caudex. Rach

the presence of an el rgin decurren

of the pinna, round, and with the brown colour of the base more or less extending upwards behind.
Vernation eireina

ronda шаа

Ihe stipes from th

co of the leafy portion ; usual

and shining dark

xcen above, paler beneath, sometimes of thinner texture; deltoid or ovate, or

1 below, always with a tapered or acuminated apex, bipinnate

in the lesser forms, tripinnate or oceasionally almost quadripinna

а the larger ones Pinne

obliquely triangular, usually elongate and attenuated at the apex, the low

nearly opposite, and

always as long as, usually longer than the rest, the upper becoming alternate and gradually diminis

ize ; all usually pointing upwards, Pinn

lternate ; the lowest on the anterior side of the rachis,

and considerably larger than the rest, obliquely and broadly ovate, with an at

ated apex, pinnate
at ts base, its lowest (

wary) pinnules being ovate obtuse, pinnatifid with sharply serrated lobes

b

and sharply serra

1 at the apex. Towards the

х of the pinna, which end in a moro

ır less elongated acumen, the pinnules gradually

«come oblong and decurrent at the base; and the

vale in the larger lower pinnules themselves, the upper pinna again being

the pinn
are less attenuated at the points, and the pinnules are shorter, blunter, and either barely divided
to the midvein

т merely lobed. The ultimate divisi

ro all notched with distinct acute serratun

C.D. A.Adiantum - nigrum. obtusum .

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THE BLACK MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT

Venation of the secondary basal pinnules in the tripinnate fronds, and of the primary basal

р

out а vein towards each marginal tooth. If the pinnule is not deeply lobed, and the teeth а

nules in the bipinnate fronds, consisting of a flexuous midvein, which, by a series of furcations, sends

re simple,

these veins are also simple, and bear the

rus on their lower half, commencing just above their base
and extending half-way to the margin. If the pinnule is lobed below, one vein goes off to each lobe

and divides into venules corresponding to the number of marginal teeth, one or two of these venules

in the principal lobes hearing a sorus ; the smaller lobes are occupied by one fureation of the vein

these veins, however, bear on their anterior side a long linear sorus, which commences near the

mich

of the pi nd extends beyond the point of furcation. The venules extend within the
serratures, but not quite to their apex.
Fructification throughout the back of the frond. Sori linear elongate, indusiate, on the anterior

side and near the base of the veins, and therefore central with respect to

soon becoming confluent. udwsiwm linear, entire, pallid, semi-transparent, and apparently violaceous

from the dark colour of the sporo-eases showing through it. Spore-cases globose, shining brown.

Spores ovate, angular, roughish.
Duration, "The caudex is perennial. "he fronds are persistent through the winter, so that the plant

is evergreen, and they are renewed annually late in spring.

From A. Jancenlatum, which it most resembles, the Black Spleenwort may be known by its long

stalked triangular fronds and elongated central sori, and almost always by
lower pinnae ; its surface is also of a more glossy texture

Tt is a very

-namental species, and thrives moderately well under cultivation, if planted in a sandy
soil, well supplied with drainage material, so that water does not stagnate about it. For outdoor

rockwork modera

well adapted on account of its shining ever

appearance ; and if p

ted in porous soil among stones on a north aspect, it will generally flourish,

It does not like a smoky confined situation, and is therefor

«s frequently seen in a thriving stato in
town gardens. It may be increased by division

‘The Obtuse Black Spleenwort—A. Avtayrus-sicnum onrosew —(Ртлтк XXXVI, C, D) should

perhaps be considered rather as a less developed condition than as a variety, it being united by

various gradations with the more deve

4 plant, which we have taken as the representative of the
species; nevertheless, its extreme states seem to claim especial notice. It is a comparatively small

nd dwarf plant, and assumes an ovate rather than a

angular outline, Some specimens are not

more than two inches high, and others very marked in character are six or eight inches high. ‘The
smaller specimens are barely bipinnate, the pinn short and bluntly triangular, the pinnules roundish

obovate, and very indistinctly toothed. ‘The larger examples are tripinnate, with their primary and

secondary pinnules corresponding with the pinna» and pinnules of the small specimens. Tt is probably

not uncommon, specimens from the three kingdoms being before us.

‘The Acute Spleenwort—A. Avraxtew-xionew acorem—(Prare XXXVIL) is a more distinct plant,

and might perhaps be separated from A. Adiantum-nigram without much inconvenience or error
‘There are, however, connecting links, which, in a botanieal point of view, seem to indicate too close an

aflinity to favour the separation of the two, and suggest rather the idea that the one is the extreme

development of the other, ‘The texture of the plant is firmer and less coriaceous than the us
states of A. Adiantum-nigrum, but some forms of the latter are undistinguishable in this respect. "Ше
caudex is short, thick, and tufted, like that of A. Adiantum-nigrum, with which it also agrees in being
furnished at the crown and on the base of the stipes with cellulosely reticulated scales, lanceolate

below and ending in a hair-like point, as well as having elongated dark purplish brown stipes. The

fronds in the Irish specimens vary from about six to eighteen inches in length including the stipes,

are from about two and a half to seven or eight inches across the

of the leafy portion; in

THE BLACK MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT

A very fino example before us, the leafy part is eight inches d, the stipes nine inches

They are quite smooth, and in outline are sometimes deltoid, or perhaps more correctly

pentangular, the apices of the lowest posterior pinnules forming additional angles ; sometimes ovate

with the point much attenuated, Full-sized examples of the latter, and a rather small frond of

the former state, are shown in our Plate, The smaller might be supposed to indicate a le

unt of the

dition of the plant, but we are scareely prepared this explanation, on

ceeurrence of equally. small fronds in which the pentangular outline is preserved, while again the

ovate fronds are often abundantly fertile; and we would rather suggest that it is an instance of that

profusion of form in Nature which mocks at our specific definitions, In the larger fronds, which are

most quadripinnate, the pinnas, especially the lowest which is also the largest, are of the same

subdeltoid outline as the frond itself, excepting that as the pinnules are alternate and not opp

the lower pair of pinnae are, |

gree of obliquity almost producing a trapeziform outline

The apices of the pinnas as well ules, are caudate, with a few

f the frond, and generally of the p

the

mewhat obliquely ovate

attenuate, and their divisi nte

mdary pinmules, are lanceolate, deeply pinnatifid at a very a

wer of which aro about three-toothed, the upper bifid at their points,

narrow and very acute

these lobes as well as the simple teeth at the apex of the pinnule itself being

"The pinnae towards the apex of the frond, and the pinnules towards the apices of the pinne, become

gradually narrower than the basal ones ove, until they both become reduced to linear

lanceolate sharply toothed lobes, and these gradually merge into the simple linear teeth of the

caudate extremities. А similar mode of division, but on a smaller scale, obtains in the smaller forms,

The

ing only tripinnate, and the secondary pinnules narrower, and less deeply lobe
veins, though slender, are very distinct ; they consist of а series of furcations, that is to say, the vein
which re
pr

former simpl

sents the midvein of the pinnules forks below each of the lobes or teeth, and the venule thus
›

duced proceeds along the tooth or lobe until it nearly reaches the

apex, being in the case of the

and in the ease of the latter again forked o

r twice, according as there may be tw

three apical teeth, No one who has ob wainted with our

хуей the venation in this plant, and is ac

British Asplenica, can fail to notice the similarity in form and division and in the condition of the

veins that exists between some of the pinnules of this plant,

specially the shorter and broader ones of
the less divided fronds, and some fronds of 4. septentrionale. There is no definite midvein, but a series
f fureations only, so that this plant alone furnishes sufficient evidence against the adoption of
Mr. Newman's group Amesium as а genus, The sori are very narrow, linear, borne, as in A, Adiantum-

nigrum, contiguous to each other, and near the centro of the pinnules. The indusium is white, semi-

t is one of unusual elegance, both on account of its minute sub-

Some other variat

ms of this species deserving of record, are included in the following summary
1. obtusum (ҮШІ). This fo

already described, is rarely more than bipinnate, though sometimes

tripinnate, with roundish or bluntly ovate pinnules, not. very e

nspicuously toothed. It is less defined.

than some other forms, some of the smaller states

ion plant approaching it very closely, but

as it occurs under different phases, it seems to claim recognition at least as a variety of se

importance. A tripinnate exa

of this form has been communicated by Mr. D. М m the

county Antrim, Ireland.
2. oblongum (N). The chief peculiarity of this form is the parallelism of the sides of its fronds
Which thus become marrow oblon

like what occurs in Lastrea spinulosa; the pinnw are short

remarkably triangular, acuminate, the three lower pairs almost equal in size. "ho subdivisions are

small; otherwise the structure is normal, We have received it from Mr, Jackson, of Guernsey, and it

lso been found by Dr. Allehin.

Ш

acutu

nigrum

Adiantum

Asplenium

RINTING.

THE BLACK MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT.

3. variegatum (W.). This exceedingly rare and beautiful variety has been found in Yorkshire, and

also in Gi

crnsey by Mr. Jackson. It is normal in every respect, except in being striped unsymmotri-

cally with whit as Mr. Wollaston observes, on

and is sub-permanent, depending for its variegati

the mode of culture adopted. Tt is quite different from the usual so-called var

gations of this species,

Such are for the most part certainly caused by insect attacks, although one example, found by

Mr. Silver on Shottisbrook Church, in Berkshire, has the appearance of actual variegation, bein,

distinctly margined with yellowish-white. As it does not appear, however, to have again been met
with, we only mention it thus incidentally in this enumeration.

4. multifidum (Wo). This differ

having the apex of the frond, and very rarely of the pinn,
bifurcate or multifid.

5. fissum (М). A curious form

a caudate frond ; the pinnules being rather abnormal-looking,
; Шер С

and irregularly cut into long linear acute entire segments or lobes, answering to the acute teeth of the

usual states of the plant; some of the pinnules may bo said to bo palmat

Iy-laciniate. We have

received it recently from Miss Hoseason, who gathered it n

Kingsbridge, in South Devon, and, some

time since, from the late Mr. Ingpon, who obtained a plant of it from a London hawker.

6. intermedium (ML). Under this name are included those forms in which large size and laxity of

habit are coincident with an elo

tion of the parts, and a thin though firm texture of the fronds, such

forms having often been wrongly associ

fed with acutum. From that variety they differ in their more
elongated and less compound fronds, and in the greater breadth of their ultimate divisions, ‘The pinna
and the fronds are caudate, but there are no linear segments of the pinmules, It seems to bear about

the same degree of relation

the normal state as obtusum, but in an opposite direction, and we
enumerate it as a variety merely in order to point out the steps by which the more usual state of the

pproaches the distinet-looking acu

form. We have received it principally from the West of
England and the Channel Isles.

охурћуШит OL). This form in its texture and the acuteness of its divisions has a good deal of

resemblance to the true acutum, but it recedes from it even more than the last in the outline of the

frond, which tho all is rather narrow and elongated, with a tendeney to diminution rather than

enlargement of the lower pinne. The pinng are short, very oblique from the еп

rgement of the
basal anterior pinnule, the latter bei

'g more distinct and distant than the remainder, which become

a good deal confluent; the teeth are deep, narrow, and conspicuously acute. Some plants were found

near Dunoon, in Argyleshire, by Mrs. East, of Blackheath,

8. decompositum (М.ф). This, like acutum, is almost or even quite quadripinnate, and may be briefly
described as resembling that variety in the form of its fronds and pinn, and even pinnules, but the
ultimate parts though narrow are blunt as if rounded off, not acute as in that, and the texture is

reover, although small and comparatively narrow, are not so much

narrowed as in acutum, and the absence of linear segments, and the bluntness of the few teeth

which are apparent, readily distinguish this plant from that. We have received it from the Rev
J. M. Chanter, who found it at Manaton, in Devonshire

9. acutum (Bory). This, which has been already fully described, differs in its moi

с subdivided fronds,

in which the deltoid modo of growth is usually strongly developed, in its thinner and papery texture,

and in the presence throughout of linear acute segi

ients and teeth, As to its distinctness, the

preceding enumeration of varieties or forms occurring in this country s

s that in comp

simulated by decomp

um, in texture by oxyphyllum especially, and by intermedium in a considerable

degree ; and in the presence of linear segments or teeth, both by aryphyllum, in which the teeth th

sharp are short, and by Jissum, in which latter the narrow n

arginal divisio

is are, perhaps, rather
abnormal developments of the teeth, than normally narrow divisions of tho pinnules These points of
resemblance, however, and the occurrence of other foreign intermediate states, have determined us in

retaining acutum as а variety of A. Adiantum-nigrum.

Pus X
EA SPLEENWORT (ASPLENIUM MARINUM.

уш.

ТНЕ

ASPLENIUM, Linnaeus.

Clusters of Spore-cases linear, oblong or elongate, straight, attached along the inner
anterior side of the veins or venules, furnished with an indusium or membranous
cover. Indusium of the same form, entire or somewhat jagged on the margin.
opening along the inward side, or that towards the midvein or axis of venation,
Veins disunited at their extremities, their branches (venules) simple or forked ;
sometimes furcately branched without a midve

A. машкти; fronds linear or line

lanceolate, tapered
rtly stalked, the margin serrate unequally erenate
or lobate, rarely pinnatifid, the anterior base truncate and sub-auriculate, the

bove, pinnate; pinnæ ovate
oblong or linear, oblique, sh

posterior cuneate ; upper ones confluent; sori large, elongate, borne near the
rib ; rachis and petiole winged

Aereos маем, Linen, Spier Plantarum, 1540. Holton, Fili
"Batany, vi, 1.992; ВЫ

ra, 5.204. Hooker, Fiora Londineni, iv, 57, L 00. Deakin, Ри торца
эт. Mackay, Flow Hi

Mannal of British Botany, АА, Moor, Tandil ef Britisk Bens, 160 X

Ferna, 235. бөгей, Ferna, 00,30. КАДЫ, Kryplogomiscte

Plantarum, v. 218. Sprengel, Suena Veytabilus, iv. з. Pre

dus O, t, ©з. Waldo, Specie

Genera Ейс, 190.

Amarin raarezınonun, Zudem, Flare deg, 400, scoring to Smith, Pelton, and nearly all authors
ъан up
Var. зовоон, fronds membranaceous, pinnate, the lower рішше distinct obtuse

obliquely-triangular, or sub-hastate, undulate and lobate below, the lobes
the apices of the pinna» minutely apicul

‘o-dentate ; sori small, narrow, remot
om the midrib,

Asriastox мзевовоз, 7. Ж. MS, in Her

Var. SUBSIPINNATUM; fronds pinnate, the pinnee almost
and deeply pinnatifid throughout ; anterior basal lobes oval acute serrate,

in pinnate at their base

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

Prave XXXVITL.— Asturies amen А, ftom етеу; Dr. Alk. В, from 6

0, тыну. с,

Corneal; J. Artine. D, from St Виде Bay, Jersey; 8.0. бту. E, fom vom; 2.2. Grey.
Тош, Deron; C. St. Q, А. axxx cursu, from Hulme Quarry, Warrington; ааай, Z6
Н, А. nants nanose, from Inland cultivated; Dr. om
MABITAT.—Thi plant occurs nd often abundantly, on all our coasts, with the exception
England. И is most profuse in the southwest of England and In Wales thence s
Sequeney,catvarls as far as Виме, and northwards to Orkney, from which lator
ters, along the eter sile of Sootland to Yorkshire Jt i found also in the Hebrides, and ie abundant on и
Irish coaste, and in the Channel Islands. From one of the latter, Guernsey, we lave тон specimens then In
М. Bist, measuring thirty-four inches in length of wh pied by about thirty ri
Pin the large of these D inche and a an inch wide; larger specimens
Vero produce on the sam armo plant, bu i
T. G. Rylands has sent n Turk Mountain, Killarney, a

recorded by Mr, Nena

Caudez tufted, егесі, or decumbent, densely scaly. Seales dark brown, shining, cellulosely-strinte,
lanceolate, extended into a long hair-like point. Fibres branching, numerous.

Stipes shorter than the frond, smooth, channelled in front, chestnut-coloured or purplish-brown ;

THE SEA SPLEENWORT

terminal and adherent to the caudex. Zachis margined and more or loss coloured brown below, winged

Vernation circinate

Лу

Fronds including the stipes from six to twelve inches lo

apex, pinnate. Pinne

upwards of a yard long; smooth, coriaceous, broadly linear tapering to the

between oblong, oblong-ovate,

out, usually about an inch in length ; the anterior

and lincar ; obtuse, often of nearly equal width throu
s or less apparent auricle, the inferior base cut

base truncately ro

ded, and produced into a blunt n

away obliquely, "The lowest are stalked with the stalks winged, the upper become decurrent, and at

serrate, the

sins are usually doubly erenat

length confluent into a tapering pinnatiñid apex. The man
sometimes (as in fig. о.) the incisions form

serratures unequal, sometimes deeper, forming evident lob

very even and elegant crenatures,
ded veins у the lowest

vein from which proceed

od, the rest usually once only ; the venules terminato abruptly

within the margin, the anterior ones generally bearing the sori.

те on the anterior

que, indusiate, b

Fructifcation spread over the back of t

auricle, when two or more sori are borne by the

f the venules (except sometimes on those of the

same fascicle of veins), commencing near the mi

along each pina. ‘The sori, though consisting of a profusion of spore-cases, are commonly distinct

thou

der surfaco. Indusium of the same form,

they sometimes coalesce so as to cover the whole un

bose, brown. Spores ovate, angular

persistent, entire, Spore-caser numerous,

Duration. The caudex is perennial, The fronds being persistent, and the young ones each year

produced long before the old ones decay, the species is truly evergreen.

This is a well marked species, distinguished technically from the other simply pinnate British

by its winged rachis; and generally by its greater size and more coriaceous texture, this

Aspleni

latter feature giving to it an aspect of massiveness as compared with its size, by which it may be

known at first sig

This species is easily cultivated in sheltered situations, as in a frame or greenhouse, and thrives
remarkably in a moist stove. It does not bear frost or exposure, and we have found it to be destroyed

by being frozen, even when kept in a close greenhouse, Few of the smaller Ferns are n yental,

Sea Spleenwort. Its fronds, owing to thei
T

care, may be kept clean and bright,—a state which tends greatly to the preservation of the health of

‘or more deserving of cultivation than the thick leathery

with very little

ver of a deep shining green ; a

cultivated plant, and always adds immeasurably to its beauty and to the attention and interest which it

excites, Hence, for a shady greenhouse, no Fern ean be more appropriately chosen while, even for

very sheltered situations outdoors, especially in localities near the sen, the same qualities recom-

mend it
We may take this opportunity to state generally the kind of treatment which has been found to
suit the small evergreen Ferns of this character when under pot culture. The pots in which they are

шей should bo

f moderate size compared with the plant, that is, the

liamoter exceeding by two

or three inches only, the breadth of the crown or mass formed by the caudex. The

grow well either in

a soil of turfy peat a

А silver sand, with a small proportion of friable yellow loam, and liberally inter
mixed with small nodules or fragments of sandstone or porous brick, or in a mixture of which sandy
fibrous loam forms the staple; and in which the coarser materials aro also blended. In either ease, the
1

kept rather above the surface of the soil, an

tom of the

ots must have a good layer of these latter materials for drainage, The crown should be

is perhaps best set between two or three larger somewhat

aS

N Pr

P)
e

RE PRINTING. > 2 Asplenium marinum.

27

LÀ /

> 77

f 40

E ||
7 ДР

THE SEA SPL

WORT

ised pieces of stone or brick. The soil, which should be used when neither wet nor dry, should be

made firm, being then less subject to alternations of moisture. Unless the pots become filled with

roots, 50 that more nourishment is required by the plants—and this is generally evidenced.

у the
plants drying.

pidly compared with others not so circumstancod—the less the soil or the plant ік

disturbed the better, so long as the former continues in a freo healthy state. If it becomes soddened

with water, as sometimes happens from the drai

becoming choked, from careless watering, or from

the plants standing under a drip, then the

ts should be repotted, so as to rectify the evil, No
Ferns, on the other hand, like to bo kept dry at the root ; but they should have such supplies of water

as will keep the soil j

4 moistened thoroughly. А шо

ately damp and rather sha

ly situation is
most congenial to the growth of the fronds ; no situation being more suitable for the progress of the

plants than a cold close shady frame or pit, from which frost is just excluded. The pla

with tolerable facility by division. When obtained from their wild localities, the roots are often much

damaged in detaching the plants from the rocks to which they eling, and in

uch eases they require

some care to.

them established. It is better in cases of this kind to choose small compact plants іш

renco to larger ones. Once established, they grow readily, and may then be inereased by dividing

the crowns at the

е of repotting, which is best done in spring.

There are some very curious vari

ions of this plant now known ; for the most part, however, there

is no evidence of their eonstaney.

1. acutum (ML). Instead of the usual obtuse or at most bluntly tapering apex of the pinne,

in this

ly narrowed to а point; the pinna being also generally elongated. This form occurs

chiefly in the west of England and in the Channel Islands,

2. dichotomum (W.). An inconstant

on, in which the apex of the frond is forked.

3. ramosum (УУ)

ıe chief peculiarity in this variety is that the fronds are branched, or more

frequently paired. The pinnas are undulato-crenate, slightly lobate, with blunt teeth, The venules

appear more clavate than usual. It is a rare form, and was found in 1850 by Mr, Wollaston, in Dorse

shire ; since that time it has retained its character. A similar plant has been sent to us from Totnes,

4. trapeziforme (Clapham). The fronds of this variety are r

t and leathery, the pinnae nearly

trapeziform, imbricate, and erenulate. Tt was found by Mr. Clapham, at Scarborough, Yorkshire, and is

a permanent form.

5. crenatum (М). This is remarkable for its short, obtuse, oblique, trapeziform pinn

rownd the mar

in with small but deep roundish crenatures. It occurs in a stone quarry, near
Warrington, and has been communicated by Mr. T. G, Rylands.

6. cuneatum (М). T

s is peculiar from the absence of the aurieuliform projection usual at 0

anterior base, the base of the pinnw being truly wedge-shaped ; the pi

aro oblong, with deep sharp

uneven serratures. It was found by Dr. Allchin at Black Head, Clare, Irel:

7. microdon (М), This is the most remarkable variety with whi

we are acquainted, and but for a
repugnanee to add to the number of dubious species, we should be tempted to consider it distinct, Its

chief points of discrepancy are its sub-membranaccous texture, its undulately-lobed pinnas its

denticulated margi д, which

id small patent apiculated teeth ; and.

small dispersed

disposition follow rather the margin than the midrib, and in their shortness and paucity of spore-ca

bear no comparison with those of any British Asplenium at all resembling the present plant. It

resembles A, marinum

its scaly crown, pinnate fronds, and winged rachis, It is not so much

divided as A. Zanesolatum, or A. oboratum, from which also it differs in other respects. We are

inclined to think it will prove really distinct when better known. It is a native of Guernsey, and

has been fo 55) first by Miss Wilkinson, and subsequently in other

nd during the past year (

and Mr, С, Jackson, to the latter of who

stations hy Miss Mansell, of the Quesne,

for specimens, and for our knowle

of the plant. Mr. Jackson informs us that it grows on

banks of rough masonry without mortar, and intermixed with A. lanceolatum, at some distance

from the sea,
8. assimile (ML). This form has the acute elongated pinna of acutum, with somewhat the lobing
of sub-bipinnatem, or else is narrow and strongly auriculate; the рішше resembling those of the
Australian A. caudatum, or the West Indian A. auritum. It occurs in two or three forms in
Sir W. Hooker's collection, the most strongly marked, resembling caudatum, being from Galway
9. sub-bipinnatum (ML). The most divided form we have seen, The fronds are of moderate size, but
the which stand more distant from the rachis than usual, are deeply pinnatifid throughout, and

the basal anterior lobes, which are the largest, are almost separate, nearly а narrow oval in outline,

simply or doubly serrate on the margin, It was found in a cave at Petit Bot Bay, Guernsey, by

Mrs. Dobree, of the Forest, Guernsey

; 0

Piare XXXIX.

> THE COMMON MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT

(ASPLENIUM ‘Trichomangs).

М, Linneus.

THE COMMON MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWOR

ler short, tufted, scaly, erect or decumbent. Seals lanceolate, brown, cellular, often with a
ventral stripe. Fibres wiry, branching.
+ short, smooth, chestnut-coloured or dark brown, rounded behind, flat in front, with a raised
face at each angle; terminal and adherent to the rhizome. Rachis, also chestnut-coloured
roug ing but rounded behind, flat in front, and furnished with a narrow elevated
wing-like border
Vernation circinate
Fronds two or three inches to twelve or fourteen inches long, linear, pinnate, Рина herbaceous,
deep green, variablo in shay most part roundish oblong, obtuse at the apex, and obliquely
cuneate at tho base, scarcely stalked, but attached to the rachis by the lower angle, usually erenated
But sometimes nearly entire on the margin, and always entire on the cuneate base, Sometimes most
of the pinnas, and usually the lower ones, are more ovate in outline and less unequal-sided ; more
rarely the reduction of the upper basal angle gives the pinu an obovate outline. The pinn are
readily detached from the mature fronds, and eventually fall away, leaving the rachis bare.
Venation consisting of a midvein, from which issue forked veins, terminating within the mi
the anterior of the venules or branches bears the sorus above the point of fureatio
Fructification generally distributed over the frond. Sori linear, oblique, numerous, often becoming,
confluent, indusiate, Judusium entire or slightly erenated on the free margin. Spore-cases numerous,
globose. Spores angular, rough.
Duration, "The caudex is perennial, The fronds are persistent, so that the plant is evergreen ;

стор of young fronds appear in tho spring

‘This species has much resemblance to A. viride, but may be known by its dark brown rachis, and.
the thin raised border of the latter; and further by the attachment of the pinnio, almost stalkless in

this, and distinctly stalked in 4. viride, Tt does not resemble any other native species.

1t grows with tolerable facility under culture, but still is very apt to suffer if kept too damp
under confinement, Pure and porous soil containing a considerable proportion of hard material, such
as sand or broken sandst ж, or old mortar, should be used, and excess of moisture must be
avoided. In country rockeries it succeeds when such precautions are taken, but in town gardens it
requires shelter, and then even more caro is necessary to guard against excess of moisture

In endeavouring to account for the difficulties which occur in cultivating Ferns such as the present,
which sometimes prove to be rather shy growers under artifical treatment, the natural conditions
under which the plant occurs should be well studied. Hore is a species abundant enough naturally
which oftentimes refuses to maintain its natural vigour under cultivation ; and why? In most cases it
will bo found that there is something wrong at the foundation ; the roots are suffering. Indeed, this
appears to be the principal source of failure in cultivating the Common Maidenhair Spleenwort, The
plant naturally grows on the perpendicular face of walls or rocks, inserting its roots into the erevices

d fissures where it finds enough nourishment; or even when growing on banks the soil is generally

of an open sandy texture, so that water docs not stagnate. It should not, therefore, be planted in

lange masses of soil retentive of moisture ; the crown should be elevated between fragments of stone ;
the pots should have an extra amount of drainage; and finally, sand, fine broken brick, broken
sandstone, or the rubbly portions of mortar from old buildings, should be freely used. In short, above
that portion which is kept free for drainage, the pot should be filled up with coarse pieces of brick,
rock, or mortar, and the interstices only filled with finer soil, in which the same ingredients, mixed with
sandy loam, should predominate, This mode of potting is suitable especially for the present species,
the Wall Rue, and the Ceterach. Холо of these plants, moreover, require so much shade as other

Ferns, although, if they are kept tolerably dry at the crown, they do not refuse to grow in structures.

Л
я
e
=

Asplenium

NATURE PRIN'TING.

THE COMMON MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT.

which are shaded for others. Water must be applied cautiously; the crowns or cen

growth

should not be wetted, and the fronds them

are the better for being kept dry, although an

occasional syringing, if necessary to cleanse them, will not be found injurious, provided they are

afterwards allowed to dry. ‘The more successful instances we have seen of the cultivation of this Fern,

were in cases in which the atmosphere of the greenhouse was kept rather drier than is usual in Fern

it tho natural habit of the

houses; and this is just w o expect

plant would lead one

Sinco writing the а

+, Mr, Wollaston, who is a very successful grower of Ferns, has favoured us

with the following memo

‚da of his experience with this species, He says it succeeds best with him
planted in sandy loam, with a very slight admixture of perfectly decayed leaf-mould, over plenty of
drainage, without moss above it, with a free use of water, and free ventilation. “Finding it difficult to

he writes, “I t

d it in the following way. I took six seedlings of A. Zrichomanes cristatum

of the same age, and as nearly as possible of the same size, and planted

m in pots of the same size

but all in different admixtures of soil, giving thom otherwise the same treatment. That planted in

ndy loam did best, very perceptibly, and that in sandy peat did worst; that in pure leaf mould was

bad also,

Until lately very little variation had been observed in this species; now, however, several m:
varieties are known, and they, for the most part, seem to have the quality of constancy

1. dichotomum (Wo. 1

his resembles the normal form in every respect except the dichotomous

division of the apex of the frond, Tt is occasionally met with, but is not constant,

2. difurewm (W.) is a neat and pretty variety, differing in having the apical lobe frequently enlarged.
amd always doubly or {геу fureate. It is rare, and constant under culture. It was found near

Maidstone, in Kent

ramosum (W.). This is very much ramified, and is a highly developed form of dichotomum. It

is so nearly constant under cultivation as to claim a place among the permanent varieties. Tho ap

lobes, as in bifurewm, are frequently enlarged and bifid or multifid ; and the rachis is two or three times.

forked. When then

аге many divisions of the rachis, the pinnw are often irregular and depauperated,

and they are often strongly erenate. It w hire by Potter, a well known dealer, since

dead ; again by Dr. Kinahan on Quin Abbey, Clare, Ireland ; and by Mr, F. Clowes, near Windermere,

Westmoreland. A very beautiful form, analogous to these, but bi lower down the rachis,

from the neighbourhood с

has been Keswick by Miss Wright; and we have received other fine

examples from Ilfracombe, gathered by the Rey, J. M. Chanter

4. multifidum (ML). This is ramosely bi-o

ri-dichotomous in the rachis towards the apex of the

frond as in the last, but differs in having the apices all multifid-ci It is a free-growing handsome

form, and constant, being reproduced from the sp

s. It was found by Mr. Dick at St. Mary's Isle,

Kirkeudbright, and has been communicated by Mr. J. MeNab from the Edinburgh Botanie Garden.

5. cristatum (W.). This very graceful and uncommon form has the apex of the frond beautifully

tufted or tasselled, but it very seldom ramifies in the lower part of the stipes, It has a freo and

vigorous habit of growth, and is invariably reproduced from the spores, and constant under cultivation.

Iis early history is lost, but some seedling plants made their appearance in a mass of Hymenophyllum

unilaterale sent to Mrs. Delves, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, from the Glasgow Botanie Gi

ind in 1853, by Dr. Allchin, in Clare, in Ireland, and

6. depauperatum (W.). This peculiar form w

again in 1855, by Mr. Wollaston, at Rydal, in Westmoreland. The pinnae are very narrow, serrate ог

Iaciniate, and towards the apex of the frond so depauperated that the spore-eases protrude and appear

to come from the face of the frond, giving the plant а very curious appearance, The apex is sometimes
а mere winged rib, It is very rare, Other forms approaching this, but less or scarcely at all дераш

tly erenated, were found at the same place by Dr. Allchin,

perated, and having the рашке dist

7. subwyuale (M). Those resemble the erenateil forms just mentioned, but are more equal in the

THE COMMON MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWC

pinnae, which are attached near their centre, instead of by the lower angle; the pinna are o
and elegantly erenated. It has been sent to us from the banks of the Wye, near Monmouth, by
Mr. J. D. Eny
байи (М.). A large form, remarkable for having the pinnas especially those about the middle
1, deeply divided at the base into two or more broad obovate lobes, in some instances
Jost to the midrib. It was found in Devonshire by the Rev. J. M. Chanter
wn (ML). ‘This is by far the most beautiful variety, exactly analogous to the var. cambricum
of Polypodium vulgare, and uniformly barren. ‘The pinnae are deeply pinnatifid, with narrow inciso.
serrate segments, It has now been found in several localities : formerly, near Burnley, in Lancashire
by Mr. & Gibson, and in Devonshire, by the Rev. W. S. Hore; subsequently, as we learn, by

Dr. Kinahan, in Claro; and more recently near Settle, in Yorkshire, by Mr. A. Clapham; and in

Borrowdale, Cumberland, by Miss Wright. It is the rarest of all known varieties, being difficult to

cultivate, and uniformly barren

Prare XL.

THE GREEN SPLEENWORT (Азрг

NIUM VIRIDE).

ASPLENIUM, Linneus.

Clusters of Spore-cases linear, oblong or elongate, strai

ght, attached alo
rior side of the veins or venules, furnished with an

cover. Indusium of the same form, entire or somewhat jagged on the margin,

opening along the inward side, or that towards the midvein or axis of venation.

Veins disunited at their extremities, their branches (cenudes) simple or forked ;
oly branched without a midvein.

\dusium or membranous

sometimes furca

А. паши; fronds linear, pinnate; pinna subrotund, roundish-ovate, or thomboidal,
crenated, distinctly stalked ; rachis green, with an obtuse ele
in front, not wi

ted green border

ед; sori approximate to the midrib.

Smith, agish Botany, we, 1.2357; Кау Fiora, iv, 299. Hoker sal Amt, [itid F
Region, Мон у а Delany, Ші.” Machy, Flore Пота MI, Deck F
Misi Normen, der of Bish Feo 20. Мел, ando Р

Апатты Tutcnowasta талону, Zines, pce Patrum ШАЙ, Boles, Fit Brians, 35,63 £8.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

‘tiated, De Akin

pil, Gray. B, from Ben Laven, Pelo; ТОМ. O, from

HABITAT Tio Green Spleenwort ік od principally in the mosaicos зоду die of the nor
ced, lly dope tl ере wann li

ва un e fou in Shetland (ITA. & Е Org). Мете

DISTRIBUTION. т T
Spain. Tine ford in Talia, a Қалаға (10. Ладе

Sila (Lor) when e

u (Hb, Hooker and Mas, Brit).

Caudez tufted, somewhat creeping, sparingly scaly at the crown. Seales lanceolate, dark brown,
cellulose. Fibres slender, branched.

Stipes variable,

ometimes quite short, usually about a third of the length of the frond, smooth,
dark brown at the base, green upwards, semiterete ; terminal and adherent to the caudex, Rachis
green, slender, slightly grooved in front

Vernation eireinate

Fronds two or three inches to eight or ten inches long, linear, pinnate. Pinna delicately herbaceous,

palish green ; variable in form, usually roundish-ovate, and somewhat cunea

lo at the base, or more
obliquely cuneate there, thus becoming sub-trapeziform or rhomboidal ; distant and usually opposite
below, more crowded and alternate above ; attached by a distinet slender stalk, the margin erenated or

ineiso-erenate, except at the

ate base, which is entire, Occasionally the pinnse are equal-sided and

broadest at the b gated

Jod at the apex; and sometimes they are more elo

and acute

Venation consisting of a midvein, producing forked veins at the base of the рішше and simple

above ; these veins and venules terminate abruptly within the margin, the point of termination being

THE GRE]

N SPLEENWORT

marked by an elevation on the upper surface. On the anterior side of the vein, opposite the furcation
and extending below it when forked, and near to the midrib when the veins are simple, the sori are
produced,

Pructification more copious on the upper part of the frond, Sori linear oblique, contiguous to the

midvein and soon becoming confluent, indusinte. Zudwsium narrow, erenated on the free margin.
1

Duration, Тһе caudex is perennial, The fronds are produced in spring, and remain fresh through

Spore-c

Spores angular, rough.

nt thus being evergreen.

the winter, the pl

hough similar to A, Zriehomanes, this plant may be distinguished by its green rachis, by its more

delicate herbaceous texture, by the absence of a slender raised border to the anterior face of the rachis,

and by the more central situation of the sori, which are placed rather below than above the fork of the
veins, It is always of a much paler colour.

At home on the mountain sides of the north this delicate species does not bear so well as others the
atmosphere of lowland cities, Hence, except in favourable localities not affected by smoke, the plant

will not bear exposure. It is generally found necessary to cultivate it under

lass, а cold frame

occasionally ventilated, and with the atmosphere moderately moist, being most suitable for it, "he soil

should be of a rocky nature, and no stagnant water should be suffered to remain about it. It may be
increased by division,

For pot culture in a moist shad

icenhouse or frame, a soil composed of equal parts of loam, peat,

sand, and sandstone rock broken up into lumps of one or two inches diameter, should be

employed, and the pots must be w

ell drained, because, as it is necessary that the roots should be kept.

moist, provision must, be made for the free pass

of the water applied, во that it may not stagnate.

‘The proportion of rocky material, for which soft broken brick is a passable substitute, may be even

increased with advant

igo, the object b

1g to provide for the draining of the moisture away from.
the crowns, whilst it laves the absorbing fibres of the roots.

In outdoo

ockeries such species as the present would be benefited by the use of a kind of bell
of

шщ like а moist atmosphere about the plants during the arid

glass provided with a vent at the top, which may either bo opened or closed at pleasure. The u

such a glass would be to retain somethi

summer months, and to shield the crowns from exe

s of wet in winter. If the aperture, or apertures,

were but of moderate size both these objects would be secured without ev

closing the glass, and.

thus risking another evil which follows mo

ntain plants when brought under artificial culture away

from their pure and airy habitats—that of өші

cation from too close confinement

‘The varieties of this Fern are not numerous. Mr. Wollaston has communicated the following notes :—
1. multifidum (У) is biñidly or multifidly divided towards the apex of the frond, and is rather more

lax than the us

owth of the species. It is almost as frequent as tho common normal form, and is
sub-permanent under cultivation,

2. bipinnatum (Clowes). The pinnæ of thi

variety are deeply incised, very much as in the incised

variety of A. Trichomanes ; this however is fertile. Tt was found on Whitbarrow, in North Lancashire,

by Mr. 1. Huddart, in 1853, and was in the possession of Mr. Clowes, of Windermere.

3. acutum (ML). Mr. Newman notice

variety found by the Into Mr. & Gibson,

n which the pinnae
were “ lanceolate and acute

~

BIN,

T Aw
N 2, AS ©
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NATURE ретту rx
Кл. Asplenium viride.

Prare ХИ. А

THE WALL RUE ОВ SPLEENWORT

(ASPLENIUM RUTA-MURARIA).

SPLENIUM, Linnaus,

Clusters of Spore-cases linear, oblong or elongate, str

t, attached along the inner or

anterior side of the veins or venules, furnished with an indusium or membranous

n

cover. [m

sium of the same form, ent

ire or somewhat jag:

sd on the margin,
ig the inward side, or that towards the midvein or axis of venation.
Veins disunited at their extremities, their branches (venules) simple or forked
sometimes furcately branched without а midvein

А. RUTAMTRARIA: fronds deltoid, bi-tri-pinnate ; pinnules obovate, or rhomboid, wed,
shaped and entire at the baso, the anterior margins acute rounded or tru

toothed ; sori linear, crowded, central : indusi

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

Cawdez short, thick, tufted, scaly. Scales small, very dark brown, narrow lanceol:

striato-reticulate,
Fibres wiry, branched,

Stipes as long as, or longer than the frond, smooth, dark purple at the base, green above. Rachis
smooth, green.
Vernation circinate

Fronds one to six inches long, numerous; terminal, adherent to the caudex; deep green, sub-corineeons,

often coriaceous, deltoid, bi-tri-pinnate ; when young, simple and reniform, or trifo

iately pinnate, with

roundish or sub-reniform leaflets, the latter st

tile. Pinne alternate, Pinnules obovate or

shomboidal, the base wedge-shaped, entire,

and tapering into a more or loss distinct. petiole, the apex

rounded, or acutely prolonged, or truncate, always toothed, with the teeth small and neatly equal.

THE WALL RUE OR SPLEENWOR

Venation consisting of a series of reins repeatedly forked from the base, so that there is no distinct

midvein, the number of branches or eenules corn

Fructification on the back of the frond, borne on the inner sides of the venules about the centro of

the pinnæ. Sori linear, fov, sometimes simulating th ypendrium from being nearly o

pening inwardly from each margin ; often becoming confluent, When the plants are

starved, they produce small pinnules and abundant sori, which are confluent over their whole under

surface, Indusium, a thin narrow membrane, having the free margin wavy or erenulate, Spore

dark brown, numerous, roundish, obovate, coarsely retieulat res roundish, strongly muriculat

Duration, ‘Tho caudex is perennial, The fronds are produced in spring and retained through the

т, until after f

sh ones appear, so that the Fern is evergreen.

‘Tho usual state

this species are enily recognised, the characters of deltoid outline, bipinnate division,

amd distinet cuneate pinnules, taken together with the small size of the entire fronds, serving to distinguish

these from the other Aspleniums. ‘There are, however, states of the plant whieh aro not easily separated
from A. germanienm, being narrow in the fronds or pinnules, and sometimes scarcely more than pinnate

aro best distinguished by the crenulate indusium, and by the fine denticulations of the upper
margin, the apex of the pinnules in 4. germanicum having fewer, deeper, and more unequal incisions,
Some cultivators succeed well with this plant, but it is not generally found easy of culture. Those

succeed best who keep their Ferns drier than usual. ‘The Wall Ra

requires a very porous soil of sandy

tion of ol nd fragments

am, with а lange prop

t brick, and to have the watoring-pot

applied very cautiously to the never to the

il, and perhap

eaves, ‘The plants, too, ought to have an

‘open or elevated site, especially if in a house or frame, s

that they may be continually parting with the

moisture supplied to them. They increase by division

A few variations of this species have b
1. multifidum (W.). This produces occasionally a few dichotomous fronds, but the plant is not

entirely dichot is it constant under cultivation,

eristatum (W.), This is permanent, and nearly all the fronds are affected ; some are erowded or

tasselled at their apices ; others have their api as it were, folded on each other, and the rachis

is not unfrequently divided. The pinnules vary somewhat in nearly every plant. It has been found by

Dr. Allchin near Guildford, in Surrey, and by Mr, Wollaston near Tunbr

го Wells, Kent, and is rare

3, proliferum (W.), is a proliferous form of th

foregoing ; the young plants protrude through the
epider

4 di

or are seated at the axils of the рінде, Tt was found sparingly mingled with the last

tum (МР). This is of very elegant habit; the pinnnles are deeply incised and elongated. It

has been found by Mr, Wolk

‘on in Devonshire, and by Dr. Kinahan in Ireland, and is not common.

5. euneatum (М.). This form, which е Rock, is often mistaken

т A. germanicum

arcely more than pinnate, with narrow pinnæ cuneate below, truncate above. The texture

however, is stouter than in A. germanicum, the parts broader, and the apical teeth, unlike those of that

species, aro small and equal. Another similar form from the same place is rather more divided, and less

this last have been found by Dr. Allchin at Town Malling, Kent, and
by Miss Wright, at Keswick. A still narrower but analogous form has been found by Mr. Wilson in
Dovedale, and by Dr. Allchin at Ennis

6. pinnatum (M). A pinnate variety, with several rhomboidal p

ans, stalked, and erenato-dentate
in the upper or larger half, It was found by Dr. Allchin at Mueruss,

7. unilaterale (М), This was found with the last. It

ne-sided in its growth, developing a normal

е side, th

pinna on o est of the frond being confused, and the rachis often excurrent and hooked at the

oint ; sometimes the pinna becomes an enlarged branch, "The whole growth is irregular m

A somewhat similar form has been gathered by Mr. Barringto

at Black Head, Clare, Ireland,

URE PRINTING. \ A.Asplenium Ruta- muraria . В .\A.germanieum . C. A.septentrionale.

Piare XLI. в.
THE ALTERNATE-LEAVED SPLEENWORT

(ASPLENIUM GERMANICUM).

ASPLENIUM, Linneus.

mall, narrow lanceolate, dark brown, striato-reticulate,

THE ALTERNATE-LEAVED SPLEENWORT

ог enmente, cut into two or th lobes, the lobes simple or toothed, the apex unequally toothe

jore distinetly stalked, and sometimes.

and less lobed, b

in the larger

the base tapering into a kind

de

meate pinnule, The upper pinnas are le

lly bipinnate with one distinct

nt, and they are faleately curved inwards. The apex of

the veral coalesce

ond con

farcate divisions of the rein which constitutes the

e extending to each of the teeth, so that the

vascular bundle of the footstalk, without a midvein, а cen

ately forked nearly parallel venules.

pinnule is occupied by from two to five or six fl

‘Sori linear elongate, on two or

rond occupying all the pinna:

Fructifcatiom on the back of the
n, at length confluent, Zndusium a

three of the central venules, opening inwardly from each ma

‘Spore-cases obliquely ob“

thin narrow membrane with the margin entire or somewhat wavy

brown. Spores roughish or muriculate, roundish-oblong.

groen or sub-evergreen, the fronds being more

Duration, Тһе caudex is perennial, "The plant is even
or loss persistent

almost invariably kept distinct by writers on Ferns, has often, by the same pen

This plant, thor

supposed relation either to the

which has so placed it, been marked as a suspicious species, havin

Without doubt it stands intermediate between these, but seems

Wall Rue, or the Forked Spleenwort
to us perfectly distinol It is a subbipinnate form of the Wall Rue (var. cuneatum), only, which

hor a thicker and stouter plant, not lobed as this is, and with the apie

and that is alt

resembles i

much more coriaceous and less le

'orked Spleenwort

marginal teeth much more uniform. The

in truth rather rachiform than foliaceous, and its teeth, when present, very diffen

its lobes being

in, than serratures,

being rather of the nature of distant linear fragments split away from the mar

т more nearly resemble

A. germanic
docs not thrive under cultivation, except with careful management, If

which the few teeth
This

ке Fern is one whic

us soil, with the crown well elevated and covered by a bell-glass in a shaded frame, or put

ut a bell-g
е safeguard is, not to allow water to reach their erowns, to keep their

potted in porou

ass, it will generally grow with vigour ; but the plants are

warm close house or pit with

very liable to perish in winter
isk

employed to protect them from the

roots just moderately moist, and not to suffer the bell-gla
4, to injure them by retaining a constantly damp atmosphere, which they will do if they

of being wet
s glasses, with a couple of small apertures opposite each

wed, The plan of usi

nanently ¢

are kept p

ally adopted by Mr. Clowes in cultivating Hymenophyllum, would

other, as vents, near the top, so suce

mial to these difficult mountain Aspleniums, The plants may be increased

по doubt be found cor

Piare XLI. с

THE FORKED SPLEENWORT

(ASPLENIUM SEPTENTRION

ALE).

ASPLENIUM, Linneus.

Clusters of Spore-cases linear, oblong or elongate, straight,
anterior side of the veins or venules, furnished wi
cover. Indusium of the same

tached along the inner or
an indusium or membranous
cwhat jagged on t
‘opening along the inward side, or that towards the midvein or axis of venation,
Veins disunited at their extremities, their branches (venudes) simple or forked ;
sometimes fureately branched without a midvein

m, entire or

А, SEPFESTRIONALE fronds linear, simple, or two- or three-cleft

or forked, with linear
cleft divisions ; segments alternate

ascending, clongate and rachiform, with a
few deep narrow distant teeth; sori few, elongate
entire.

often parallel; indusium

Асло наттын Lob, Hort Па dyes 30. is деген Filium,

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

GEOGRAPITICAL DISTRIBUTION. mis а Parop pls T

Caudez short, thick, tufted, often forming lange dense scaly masses. Seales small, narrow lanceolate,
dark brown, strinto-reticulate. Fibres numerous, wiry, branched.

Stipes terminal, adherent to the caudex, dark brown-purple at the baso, green above, as long as, or
longer than the frond.

Vernation eireinate.

Fronds from two to six inches high ; sometimes simple, and then either entire or with a few distant
marginal subulate teoth appearing as if split away from the main portion, or divided into two or three
narrow-linear alternate ascending lobes ; sometimes forked, with the two divisions either simple, toothed,

ог Tobed on the same plan as the simple fronds "They are numerous, deep green ; tho simple ones

THE FORKED SPLEENWORT

narrow, linear, tapering towards both ends; the forked ones indefinite in form, and apparently one-
sided, one of the divisions being smaller than the other, and looking like a lateral branch without a
balancing branch from the other side of the rachis, The lobes are sometimes so much separated as to

like distinct pinna:
which enters from the

Venation consisting of two or three series of fureate divisions of the rein
base, one of the venules extending to cach of the teeth, there being no midvein.

ongate, on the inner side of two or three of.

Fructification on the back of the frond, Sori linear, ©
го often opposite and coi

ices they а

the few venules, and opening towards the centre ; towards the

tiguous almost as in Scolopendrium in consequence of the narrowness of the parts; and bein
in Acrostichum, but

with numerous spore-eases, they become confluent, and appear to be universal as

these are mere similarities, Zndusium linear, entire. Spore-cases roundish-obovate, dark-brown.

‘Spores, roundish-oblong, slightly muriculate

Duration. The caudex is perennial, The fronds are persistent; the plant is, therefore, an

‘This plant may be distinguished at first sight by its tufted grassy aspect, From its ally A. germanium,

botanists would consider a variety of it, the Forked Spleenwort may be known by its fronds

ler

being either simple, with mere lobes, or forked with two distinet branches, each like its own smi

fronds, and never being regularly pinnate as is A. germanicum. Tt is also narrower in its parts, with

the texture thicker and I
s in the case of the allied species, many persons fail to cultivate this Fern with success. Tho

failure probably arises from the use of fine soil in too lange masses, Naturally this is a rupestral plant
md this condition should be imitated by its being planted among masses of porous sandstone, in the
interstices of which only, a little sandy soil should be placed. It would no doubt be also an advantage to,

low the upper fragment of stone

plant somewhat horizontally rather than too strietly vertical ; and to

M to serve as a shade to the erown from the sun's rays, these latter in

employed, to be large enou

too powerfully on the soil contained in small pots. ‘This amount of shade would admit

of the plants being kept in a more exposed situation than is usually safe, from the cause just referred

to; and thus the evils arising from close dampness and want of ventilation would be remedied. ‘The

exposure, however, must be modified judiciously : for instance, a greenhouse where the atmosphere
is dried and moistened daily, would probably be found congenial; or a cold frame well aired, and
slightly shaded, might with advantage be substituted for the closer frame and denser shade, which is

my Ferns do not need so much shade as is given in a general collection, to suit

more usual, Certainly m

shade afforded by а lump of stone on the sun

the more tender kinds; and the parti yy side of the.

crown of a small Fern would be more congenial to many of the mural or rupestral species, than

а more general exclusion of the sun's r atson notices that the young fronds are easily

damaged by frost.

Cluster

8. vULOARE; fronds very variable; normally

LIL

Piare 3

THE COMMON HARTS-TONGUE FERN

(SCOLOPENDRIUM VULGARE).

SCOLOPENDRIUM, Smith.

ht, growing in proximate parallel pairs,

sof eases linear or oblo
on the anterior and posterior branche jacent fascicles of veins, indusiate
Indusium linear, attached to the venules te sides of the proximate sori

the free margins face to face, at first separating down the
s, which з confluent int

orked, from the prominent m

centre of the twin so

у

isunited at their apices, which are club-shaped, (rarely anastomosi

car or obloı
to at the bı
with narrow scales,

у-н strap-shaped,

1 or

entire at the margin, attenuate at the apex, cor
slightly hair-sealy on the midrib beneath ; stipes

ar strap-shaped, subtrunca

толвситәив; fronds 1

distantly lobed, and irregularly erenate; fertile

Var. сокхотои; fronds strap-shaped, erenated ог usually obtuse, with the
midrib exeurrent below the apex, forming a horn projecting from either surface.
Var. YARGINATUM Is lincar strap-shaped, t at the baso, the margin inciso

the under surface, near the margin, ¢

Tobate, the epidermi
lobed exeurrent membrane, which, as well as the frond itse

светом: fronds strap-shaped, the margins undulated, the b

Шу many-times fureately divided, the divisions

plane or y

THE COMMON HARTS'TONGUE FERN

ог broadly ovate (on same plant), the margin

LaceRarUx; fronds strap-shape
deeply inciso-lobate, the lobe
multiid-erisped ; basal pair of lobes

unequally prolonged, sometimes erisped ; apex

imes much enlarged, and multiid

dez thick, short, tufted, often decumbent, scaly at the erown, Seales lanecolate-acumi

pale purplish-brown, shining, finely rotieulato-vonose. Fibres short, branched, numerous, dark brown.

Stipes averaging about one-third the length of the frond, but varying from about one-fourth to

one-half

entire length; usually clothed with pale tawny contorted subulate scales, sometimes
smooth, purplish-brown, darkest at the base; terminal, and adherent to the caudex. Лаел, or more

correctly midrib, stout, sealy behind when young, often dark-coloured below

Vernation citcinate

Fronds from about four inches to two fect or upwards in length, narrow elongate-lanceolate, or

broadly linear, or ob

ng strap-shaped, normally entire, or

apex п

е or less attenuated, and terminating in an acute point, and having the base cordate ; plane

fleshy or coriaceous, deep rich green, The varieties deviate in unnumbered forms, by the Inceration or

cin, the multifid dilatation of the

apex, the branching (often repeated) of the

stipes and midrib, the loss of the cordate lobes at the base, and the arrest of

longitudinal development

nation paralle

»furcate ; that is, the reins which spring from the midrib are one, two, or three

times forked near the base; and the кейий! thus produced extend side by side nearly to the margin,

and almost at a right angle, terminating in club-shape

apices. In the enlarged baso of the frond,
the Furcations are more nume

SG SIE EEE ымын ЕЕ а

10

vulsare

Scolopendrium

THE COMMON HARTS-TONGUE

Pructifcation dispersed over the back of the frond,* most abundant upwards,

гі linear, oblique
unequal in length, twin, that is, growing in pairs, the two

mtiguous parallel sori borne on the posteri

and anterior veink
l

Tudusium also do

ible, narrow, entire, the two opening face to face, at first connivin

4, at length separating
down the centre of the twin sorus, finally pi

hed back and hidden by the spore-eases. Spore-cases

numerous, obovate, reddish-brown, Spores roundish or o
y ndish or ol

ig, murieulate
Duration. "Tho caudex is perennial. The fronds are persistent tho young ones being produced in

April, and remain long after others succeed them ; the plant is therefore strictly evergreen.

Тһе common Hart's-Tongue is at

once known from all other British Ferns by its long strap-sli

sueculent-looking

onds ; and technically by its lin

twin sori, Its varieties are endless. Those we
have thought deservi

types of variation
than as individual forms, comprising

a serios of analo

us subvarieties, which, however, being perma
nent and easily cultivated, a

individually prized as garden ornaments. We omit any le

description of them on this account, and also because they will be included in the following

on the whole of the forms or subvarieti

awn up by

Mr. Wollaston, of Chislehurst, whose own collection contains one of the most extensive series

‘The principal private с

ections of livin

Scolopendriums, known to us, besides that just mentioned, are

those of Dr. Allehin, of Ti

water; Mr. Gray, of Hammersmith; Mr. Clapham, of Scarborough ;
Mr. James and Mr. Jackson, of Guernsey; the Rev. J. М. Chanter, of Ilfracombe ; and Sir W. C.
Trevelyan, of Nettlecombe ; to whom, and to

(Ray). This old a

y other correspondents, we are indebted for specimens,

1. polyschid

nd familiar variety, known to the illustrious Ray, and named in

lusion to the numerous deep incisions on the margin of the frond—know

under the name of angustifoliim, in allusion to its narrow fronds—is taken as the type of a

oup in

Which the fronds are more or less ineised on their

ins, but not in the least degree marginate, (that

having the epidermis disrupted). ‘The fronds in this variety are linear strap-shaped, slightly undulate

larly erenato-lobate, with the margin erenately-toothed ; it is fertile, and the masses of spore

eases often protrude between the incisions to the face of the frond. ‘The venation is here and there

reticulate. It is remarkably со

stant under cultivation, and universally reproduces itself from its

spores. Its early history is lost. ‘The late Mr. D. Cameron found it near Bristol ; a form almost

identical has been met with by the Rev. J. M. Chanter, near Tifracombe, Devonshire; and Sir W

He

т has a specimen from Lismore

2. macrosorum (Féo) is similar

polyschides, but the fronds are somewhat broader, and the margin

is more frilled with an undulated series of bluntish teeth, which are deeper and more evident than in th

variety just named. It has the same kind of deep occasional incisions, but they dre less manifest, being

hidden by the undulation of the margin ; the base is truncate : the venation is n nd the sori

short oblong. Тһе best grown form is of exotic origin, having been received from Bolwyller, but a very

similar one has been found in Guernsey, in 1855, by Mr, James. It is quite constant, and very neat

3. нит (М) is а large, vigorous, and graceful form, in character resembling the two preceding, but.

the fronds are larger and broader, and usually blunt-ended ; the margin is deeply incised and somewhat
undulate, so that the incisions are not very evident, the whole being erenately toothed : the veins are

asses. Te was found near Nettlecombe in Somerset

slightly netted ; and the sori grow in oval-oblong

been gathered near Denbi

shire, in 1852, by Sir W. C. Trevelyan, and similar forms ha

msey by Mr, C, Ја

t, handsome, and rather rare,

ckson. Tt is perma

Mr. T. Pritchard ; and in ©

THE COMMON HARTSTONGUE FERN

4. obtusidentatum (ML). A very pretty dwarfish narrow-fr riety, having the margin shallowly,

1 by muses, and the whole notched with

sometimes deeply lobed, 4 's frequently separ

nearly uniform blunt conspicuous teeth ; the apex is usually blunt, the midrib not reaching the end ; the

" M. Chanter,

sori are longish masses irregularly placed, Found near Ilfracombe, in 1855, by the Rev

his variety is its rigid coriaceous texture and upright

5. subeornutu ). The peculiarity of

habit. It resembles denticulatum (5) in the small even toothing of the margin ; b fronds are шой

incised or lobate ; they also terminate abruptly, and the rachis protrudes near the apex and forms a

horn or hook on the under side. The fronds are sometimes furcate ; sori few, scattered. Мг, A, Тай of

Edinburgh, first noticed it in the nursery of Mr. Sang, at Kirkaldy

келуші

6. cornutum (ML) is а very beautiful, as well as curious variety ; the fronds are coriaceous,

thed ; they also usually terminate abruptly, the

ming a long hook or horn, from which it takes its name, It fruits

rachis projecting from th
plentifully, and is a thoroughly constant variety, invariably reproduced from its spores. Tt was found.

in Yorkshire by Mr. Thorne, and probably elsewhere, as it is not uncommon in collections.

7. imperfectum (W.) is remarkable for the unfinished appearance of the margin of the frond,

cut away аз far in as the sori, It was found in north Lancashire by

which is entire, as tho

Mr. Wollaston, in 18:

and promises to be a constant form. ‘The fronds are linear, strap-shaped,

metimes abrupt and sub-cornute

somewhat irregular, truncate at the base, s the apex

8. denticulatum (W). "This is of exotic origin, having been found near Geneva by the Rev

ikely to be found in this country, or so certain to be raised from spores, that it

W. H. Hawker, but is
ded. The

is here inclu ant is dwarf in habit, the frond ramose, dentieulate, and occasionally incised,

metimos abrupt at the apex. Ав yet it has not fruited, but it js constant

9. stenophyllum (ML). А very narrow linear form, cordate at the base, with broad shallow entire

erenatures nearly to the point; sori normal beneath, with numerous small roundish sori near the

margin above. Tt was found in Guernsey by Mr, J. James, of Vanvert

10, erenato-lobatum (ML). An elegant form, normal in size and general outline, but the margin,

especially in tho upper half, is strongly erenato-lobate, sometimes a little undulatod. It is very distinetly

suprasoriferous, the upper sori often large and distinet like the lower. It appears to be a frequent form,

and has been found in Devonshire by the Rev. J. М. Chanter; Saltwood, Kent, by Mr. F. Brent ;

Guernsey by Mr. C. Jackson; and Dorsetshire by Mr. Wollaston, Tt is sometimes very slightly

11. turgidum (W.) eo called from the thick or muddy appearance of the cellular tissuc—is sub-

marginate. The fronds, which are from six to eight inches long, are normal in outline, irregularly erenate

or sub-lobate, and fleshy ; the venation irregular and occasionally reticulate. Tt is quite distinct from all

Т ound in Sussex, in 1854, by Mr. Wollaston.

other varieties, and permanent under cultivation, Tt was

al auriculate lobes at the base of the frond

12, resectum (М) is so called from the absence of the usi

development,

sinuatum (13) and inceyuate (14), being irregular in width and

in other respects it reson

Te was found in Sussex, in 1854, by Mr. Wollaston, and is constant

13. sinwatum (W) differs from the ordinary form in having the margin of the (which is

te, the lobelike sinuosities be

ar in development, entire or

occasionally multifid) sinu

te The venation is slightly confused in the contracted parts ; but the sori are normal.

ге by Mx. Cla

obscurely ere

und in Sussex by Mr. Wollaston in 1854, and in Yorks! am; and is constant.

14. inayuale (A). This handsome variety has the margin of the frond deeply incised, and distinctly

and unequally lobed, sub-pinnatifid ; the apex generally multi ions copious and

Dr. All

irregular. It was found in Ireland

in in 1853, and is a constant and a rare plant

15. coriaceum (James). A dwarf form, very remarkable when fresh for its coriaccous texture, Tt is

t, slightly marginate, sparingly and in

i of the frond, F

y surface, or actual und in Guernsey by Mr. J

16. laciniatum (У). A handsome variety, in which irregular portions of the frond are contracted,

THE COMMON HARTS-TONGUE FERN

these portions having the short distinct teeth or the shallow lobes of the polyschides type, while here and

there other portions

мч out to the normal width, and form blunt, rounded, or oblong projecting lob

ог entire normal spaces of

ater length. Sometimes the apex, or the base, or one sido only, of the

frond is affected ;-the examp broken

figured showing an instanco in which the altered portions are k

up than usual, Seareely two fro

Is are alike, but the fronds are nearly always affected. It has been
found in North Lancashire by Mr. Wollaston, in Yorkshire by Mr, Clapham, and in Devonshire by the
Rev. J. M. Chanter

irregulare (М),

untable freaks of nature which is at one time in its
natural growth, and then in its most fantastic; or the two conditions may be combined on the same

plant, "The abnormal fronds a

irregularly lobate, with erenated or incised lobes, somewhat undulate,

often forked, and altogether irregular, It is but sparingly fertile in the abnormal state, It was found

in Guernsey by Mr. C. Jackson, and is only a sub-permanent form.
18, corrugatum (W.) presents a combination of tho characteristics of variabile (30) and erispum (40),
having fronds beautifully undulated, but also deeply cut into auriculato lobes on the margin, in a very

irregular manner, ‘The venation is slightly reticulate, Found in Sussex by Mr. Wollaston in 1854,

19. pocilliferum (ML). А large irregularly-lobed form, stout and rigid in texture, often forked, and.

somewhat supra-marginate

chief peculiarity, however, is the production on its under surface,

ır trumpet-shapod exereseenees, frequently a quarter of an inch
by Mr. J, J

b. Te was sent to us from Gi

in lengt mes, of Vanvert

20. submurginatum (М7). This form comprises several modifications, in which the fronds, var

in character, sometimes bifureate, more rarely ran

are only partially marginate: the perfect
fronds are submarginate, that is, with their margins partially disrupted, erenato-lobate, especially

towards the apex, supra-soriferous ; the imperfect fronds

netimes similar to tho perfect ones on one
side of the rachis, and on the other narrow and trobly dentate; others are truncate, submarginat
and obliquely cornute ; and others again abortive, having nothing but a short scaly stipes without any

ound in Sussex, in 1854, by Mr. Wollaston ; in Ireland by Dr

of the leafy portion, This form w
Allehin ; in Guernsey, by Mr. С. Jackson; and in the Islo of Wight, by Mr. R. Bloxam,

21. siciforme (W.). This is, perhaps, the most slightly margi

rred to the

marginatum group. The from а foot long, are lance-shaped, laterally waved or

te, and obsoletely, though continuously, marginate beneath. "hey are also

subflexuose, sig

tification protrudes itself to the faco of the frond, but the upper

soriferous, that is, the
supra-soriferou

are very small. The base of the frond is rarely auricled, and the whole plant has a very unusual

pearance, Tt was found in Guernsey by Mr. C. Jackson, in 1854, and is doubtless a constant form.

many of the characteristics of submarginatum (20),

92. microdon (ML) is n small form, possessing

pex of the frond muli, Its chief peculiarity is the minutely sulcate portion of the

but having the

w the forking, Found in Ireland by Dr. Allchin, in 1853, and quite constant.

frond immediately b

ium (20) in size and in its submarginate frond,

23. contractum (W.). This variety resembles өнім
and microdon (22) in its multifid apex. Tt has been named contractum on account of having its fronds

ist-like just below their donsely-multiñd apices; the mass of veins which have to

drawn in*or w

that part the appearan

pass this contracted portion, become protruded or ridge

md in Clare, Ireland, by Dr. Allehin, in 1859, and is pe
arki

зае

supra-lineate, "This also was

form of the mar

inate group, and although

24. marginatum (М). Thisis the type and most re

known, as a garden specimen received from the younger Linnaeus

been lo
but recently noticed, must have bee

arium, Several subforms are known in cultivation, of which the most marked

is in Sir J. E, Smith's Hi

in our Handbook of British Ferns: “The fronds grow erect a foot or

they are simple strap-shaped, the margin

more in height, and stand in a circle round the crown

irregularly lobed, the under surfaco producing within Ше margin an excurent membrane, which is a
1 rfaces of this membrane, and tho under surface of the frond itself exterior to it, are

THE COMMON HARTS-TONGUE FERN

soriferous, ‘The fronds have therefore, as it were, a double margin. In the less perfectly developed
condition the membrane is reduced to a longitudinal vein-like ridge.” This variety was found near

re, by Mr. Elworthy, gardener to Sir W. С. Trevelyan, and sul

Nettlocombe, in Somers quently

near Selworthy, in the same county, by Mrs, Archer Thompson. It has since been gathered in Sussex,

by Mr. Gray and Mr. Wollaston; and still more recently in the Isle of Wight, by Mr. R. Bloxam

veral forms) ; and at Enys Penryn, in Cornwall, by Mr. G.

tho Rev. J. M. Chanter (

been found near Brecon, by М
cession of Mr

Dawson, A narrow form hi There is also a plant of this

character, with multifid apices, in the which was sold to him in 1849 by

Potter, a well-known di cannot be traced ; from this the variety

proliferum (2 well as plants exac
D

25, proliferum (W.). This curious little monstrosity, as before stated, was raised from the spores of

the multifid marginatum (24) in 1851, and the plants now in 1856 (with the exception of those that have
been grown in heat), are of the most pigmy dimensions, the largest not having attained three inches in
length. ‘The fronds in general outline are either small strap-shaped, truncate, calyciform, cornute, or

subulate, but all, with the exception of the last ply and irregularly marginate, almost to the

ond in two, The exeurrent membrane is the same as in the last described, but more

dividing of the

developed in proportion, and the upper surface of the frond is irregularly verrucose. Hitherto there

has never been any appearance of fructification, but in lieu thereof curious little bulbil-bearing cysts

have appeared on the surface of the frond, pro generally from those parts where the spiracles

breathing tubes terminate, These form minute plants exactly the counterpart of the parents. ‘This

bulbil-making process Mr. Wollaston thinks is more or less common to all, when from some unknown

eause the normal mode of propagation fails, This variety is becoming not uncommon.

26. fimbriatum (Allehin), This unique variety is connected by easy steps with bimarginatu
ds besides the usual hooks and points peculiar to this group. The first are about

ularly frille

bears two sorts of fi

three-quarters of an inch in breadth, and from six t

the sori rarely pass the exeurrent membrane, which is the

twice crenato-lobate, unduln mo as in other

marginate forms. ‘The second sort of frond is very narrow, about a quarter of an inch wide, and from

nine inches to upwards of a foot in length, and more nearly resemble a winged rachis than a frond, the

ame width as the rachis itself; the margins are the same as

leafy part on either side being about the
the others, but more minutely divided, and the disrupted membrane recedes even to the rachis itself
It isa very neat and curious variety, and was found by Dr. Allehin in Guernsey in 1849,

bimarginatum (W.). One of the most curious and rare varieties known, The fronds are linear

strap-shaped, sometimes multifid, about a quarter of an inch wide, and nearly a foot long; some also

are three quarters of an inch wide, and from six t

g. On the under side the excurrent

membrane appears as in other marginate forms; but besides this, on the upper surface of the frond, the.

eutiele is gathered and puckered up into cavities and nodules; and some of the lower veinlets

most remarkable calyeiform

rachis aro covered with hair-like scales, Tt seems a very tender variety, affected by the least frost, and

very rarely perfects its spores. Tt was found near Rotherham, in Yorkshire, about five уст» ago, by

Mr. Н. Hayling, under gardener to the Rev. W. Hudson, of St, Catherine's, Regents park, and wa:

exhibited at the Horticultural Society's Rooms, in Regent-strect, by Mr

Kennedy of Covent Garden,

28, scabrum (W.). Тһе fronds of this variety resemble the wider fronds of bimarginatum (27), but are

even much wider and longer, and the whole plant is of more vigorous growth. ‘The face of the f

and not quite so much drawn into cavities. ‘The margins are

articularly towards the apex of the fronds. Unlike the

her it is abundantly fertile, It was found
in Ireland, in 1853, by Dr. Allehin, and is a singular and rare variety
29. constrictum (ML). This curious form, has not been proved, but

so remarkable as t

recording. ‘The fronds are medium-sized the upper half broad, and searcely differing from the normal

THE COMMON HARTE-TONGUE FERN

state ; the lower half equally contracted to less than half the width, deeply erenated, and marginate

the extreme base being again broad

velope the usual cordate lobes; both sides being

uniformly affected throughout, and strongly marginate in the contracted parts. Found by Mr. J. James

30. supralincatum (ML) differs rom the rest of the marginnte group in having the exeurrent membrane

confined to the face or upper surface of the frond. There are several forms of this variety, some with

but a small portion of each frond, others with one sido only,

1 others with one or more fronds on a
plant, affected. The most marked

ym (which was obtained from Epernay) has the whole plant
affected more or less, and when perfect is a very beautiful object. The general outline frond
is strap-shaped, sometimes but not often multifid; about eight inches long; the margins beautifully

but irregularly corrugate till they meet the exeurrent membrane, which forms a slightly sinuous line on

each side of the rachis, reaching in a well-marked frond from the apex to the base; the whole thus

having the appearance of a narrow fr

nd of the normal form superimposed.

the variety eripum. Tt
жаз first brought into notice in this count:

y Mr. S. F. Gray ; and analo

ous forms have subsequently

been found in Surrey by Dr. Allchin; in Yorkshire by Mx. A. Clap le of Wight by

am ; in the T
Mr. R. Bloxam ; in Devonshire

Ha

Rev. J. M. Chanter; in Guernsey by Mr. C. J

ekson; and in

те and Sussex by the Rev. W. H. Hawker and Mr. б. В. Wollaston, It is a rare variety.

31. multiforme (М). This most remarkable and compound form, embraces within itself the роси

arities of nearly every known form of variation, Its fronds are multifid, ramose, cornute, subulate,

either simple or multifid, marginate, supralincar, corrugate, laciniate, or depauperate, and cannot be

scribed than by a reference to the varieties indicated by the above epithets. Tt was found in

y Dr. Allehin in 1849, and is a permanent form, and not now very uncommon.

iricabim (ME). The type o

nother class of variation, in which the upper surface is developed

into ridges or raised points. In this the fronds are normal in outline, coriaceous, the and

rgin he

there lobed, or slightly sinuous, but the tissue is sunk between the veins p

cducing evident furrows, and

the v

selves bear two or three elevated points, these points being

attered rather plentifully

over the whole frond. Tt was found in Guernsey, and sent to us by Mr, J. James of Vanvert

33. jugosum (ML). Also found in Guernsey, and communicated by Mr, James and Mr. C. Jackson.

‘Two or three modifications have been met with. Its peculiarity r

s in a thickening of the veins

which bear sori, resulting in the production of a series of ridges or leafy sorus-like exerescences on tho

upper surface, and opposite to the sori on the lower surface, producing

34. papillosum (A). This curious variety developes a series of distinct wart-like excrescenecs sido by

side, above, on the veins, near their apices, and forming a border to the upper surface of the fronds, which

latter in the specimens we have seen are small, and rather narrow, but of normal outline, It was sent

from Guernsey by Mr. С. Jackson.

rugosa (Allehin). This variety is marginato at the apex ; the leafy portion of the frond is very

short in comparison with the stipes; it is undulate, erenate, and on the rachis almost echinate, and at

x has a eur med by the splitting of the epidermis,

pouch is fertile, as well as other portions of the frond, and has the rachis generally in its under

cuticle. The stipes is very long and thinly clothed with scales, Tt was found in Ireland by Dr. Ае

in 1853, and is a permanent and exceedingly rare form,

36. nudicaule (Allchin), This resembles rugosum (35) in many respects, but the fronds are more

variable in form and less rugoso : some being pocketed, some simple, and others multifid. But the g

meo of scales—so unusual in Scolependrinm, This is so

its vornation, that the eonvolutions of the fronds, which are to be developed for several years

oby

to come, aro visible on the crown. "This also was found by Dr. Allehin in Ireland, and is very rare

1m (35) and nudicaule (36), in having a pouch-bearing apex.

37. peraferum (УГ). This is akin to ruge

Jar when in character, but they ar

It has a scaly stipes, and the fronds are undulate and irr

THE COMMON HARTS-TONGUE FERN

occasionally normal, ‘The pocket is fertile. This is likewise of Irish origin ; it was found by Dr. Allehin

in 1853, and has continued constant

38. abruptum (УР). The peculiarity of this variety consists in the midvein or rachis rarely reach
to the apex of the frond, which is blunt and rounded, It also occasionally divides at the summit, In
other respects it is normal, It was found in Sussex by Mr, Wollaston, in 1854, and is only a sub-

permanent variety, some of its fronds resembling those of tho next variety

39. variabile (W). This,

mde of various shap sizes, Tt is a

ım, and constant under cultivation, ‘The fronds are either normal, branched,

m, or bi-reniform, abrupt, and often partially or wholly unite two forms on one stipes. It is

abundantly fertile, and has been found in Guernsey by Dr. Allchin, and Mr. C. Jackson, Another

m, which Mr. Woll

ın calls bireniforme, connects this with the last, In this the stipes

generally bears two Kidney-shaped lobes ; sometimes the fronds aro only forked, the divi

at the apex ; occasionally th ranched, each branch bearin

its reniform lobe or lobes, Tt has been

found in Guern:

у, Devonshire, and the Isle of Wight, but can hardly be considered permanent, Tn

found by Mr. Chanter, many of the fronds con

4l of two reniform lobes standing so

form of a goblet
t too unlike it to bo
narkab

40. polymorphum (W.) is certainly only a modification of the same variety, ім

left unnoti

Tt was found in Sussex by Mr, Wollaston in 1854. The fros

-at breadth compared with their length. They are either normal, multifid, ramoso, truncate, or show

‘one or more of these characters combined. Other from

if the old

fronds were attempting to throw out new ones. It is fertile, constant, and rare

41. apicitodum (ML). А distinct and marked form, with fronds about three inches long and two

broad, widest upwards, the midvein not extending to the end, which is blunt and rounded in outline,

and deeply ent into several obovate lobes. t was found in Guernsey by Mr. J. James
12. striatum (ML). Another of Mr. James's discoveries in Guernsey. The fronds are obliquely
streaked with yellowish green on a dark green, giving them a distinct variegation, Another variegated

form fou ey by Mr, Jackson

lin which is streaked with yellowish white, is not. constant,

43. vieiparum (W.) is one of the most remarkable instances of viviparous growth amongst our British

bulbi

and is covered with

plant has never yet attained any other than the most pigmy si

h on the frond and stipes. The fronds are most irregular in shape, but chiefly laciniate.
It is а perfectly constant form, and was found in Clare, Ireland, by Dr. Allehin in 1853.

44, spirale (N). This was found in Guernsey by Mr. James, The fronds are short, two or three inches
long, narrow in proportion, undulate, and twisted in a spiral or corkscrow fashion. Tt promises to be a
me character

constant form, several successions of fronds having maintained the

45. crispatum (М). А sm

1 and very much curled undulately-crisped variety, tapering from the

broadish base to an attenuated point, which narrowing of the points gives it an aspect different from tho

usual forms of erty

and by Mr. James in Guerns

у, and is very seare and beautiful.
46. crispum (Willd). "This beautiful variety differs from all others in being uniformly barren, It is

of the frond. Tt

one of the oldest forms known, and is most justly admired for the elegant frilli

attains the full size of the species, and is exquisitely and symmetrically waved or corrugate, and its

«тешме. The basal lobes are unusually developed, an

overlay each other to а great extent
w. W. H. Hawker, in

as been found recently in Yorkshire by Mr. A. Clapham, in Hants by tho H
Denbighshire by Mr. Pritchard, and in Guernsey by Mr. С. Jackson.
47. subearicgatum (W). Тһе fronds of this form are almost always divided at the point, and faintly

streaked with white, giving them a mealy ap This whitene

of the cuticle from the tissue beneath, The fronds are extremely various in shape, being ramose, or

multiñid, or both, irregular, undulate, erenate, laciniate, generally sli

Jed, but sometimes, as

in sagittifolium, producing a barbed auricle, and they are pr

THE COMMON HARTS-TONGUE FERN

prone to send out a midsummer shoot, which is common to all Ferns in a slight degree ; but this

occasionally produces a young stipitate frond from the apex of the larg

ne, ita stipe

being thickly

clothed with scales as in the lower or parental portion. It was found by Mr. Wollast

48. undulatum (ML). This is regularly wavy-curled like

ın in Dorsetshire
ispum (46), but somewhat less so, and is
narrower, and unlike that, fertile. А lobed variation of it, an old garden plant—undutato-dobatum

has been recently found in Sussex by Mr. Wollast

Tho typical stato of this variety is often
confounded with crispum, and is а constant plant, not uncommon.

49. complicatwn (W.) was found wild in 1853 in private grounds at Chislehurst, Kent, by Mr
Wollaston. The f

mds are either simple or multi,

and their margins are irregularly ere

ate,

laciniate, and undulate ; in some respects it approaches undulatum, Tt is an unusual form.

50. conjunctum (M). А very pretty form, found by Mr. James in Guerns

It is dwarf, broad,

undulated, 1

and the apices of the lobes are multi, with 0

he points twisted ns in erista-galli (59)
sagittifolium (УУ. is remarkable for having the auricled portion of the lower part of the frond
Чом

ated and deflexed, as the barbs of an arrow, each with а distinct midrib, The plant has a tendeney
to be multifid both at the apex of the frond and also at the elongated auricles, It was found in Sussex
by Mr. Wollaston in 185

and is doubtless a constant form, as the fronds of the former year had the same

peculiarity. Others very similar have been found in Ireland by Dr. Allchin, in 1853, in the counties

Clare and Kerry. It is not the var. sagittatum of Willdenow, a dwarf South of Europe plant
52. retinereinm (N). The netted venation is the chief peculiarity of this variety. Тіс fronds are
unevenly strap-shaped, sub-multifid, and blotched with whitish-green, almost amounting to variegation,

Tho margin is entire but uneven, It was found in Ireland by Dr. Allchin in 1853, and is unique.

dissimile (W.) was found by Mr. A. Clapham near Settle, in Yorkshire, in 1855, and, as its name
implies, has the fronds so unlike each other that they seem to belong to different plants; some are
multiid, sinuate ; others interrupted and laciniate, and some again truncate, obtuse, fan-shaped, It

vigorous growing form.

54. depauperatum (W.). A most curious deforn

iy. Instead of fronds, the plant has little else but
their midribs, forming subulate points, either simple, bifid, or multi, And as if instinct were given
it, and that it felt it could not exist without spiracles it throws up, in the course of the season, one or

5) raised by Mr. Wollast

pex of the lobatum of authors to

n in 1851,

two large digitate fronds, It is a seedling from digitatum (

55. multifidum (W.) includes all forms from the simply
those which are more complicated, but in which the lower portion of the frond is normal, and which

aro neither uniformly affected, nor uniformly permanent. ‘The sub-forms are numerous,

furcatum (УУ). A very rare variety. Its character consists

exactly down the midvein, each portion falling back, forming the shape of a bird's claw ; these occa-

sionally grow on as in other multifid forms, and divide exactly in the samo way over and over again,
while the lower portion continues normal,

57. cristatum (Clapham) is closely allied to crista-galli (58) and also to ramosum (63)—to the former, in

the plication of the apex, although it is not nearly so much erisped, and to the latter in general habit and

the frond on the

taney. Tt also has a curious inclination to produce frilled cups on the under side o

main rachis, an inch or two from the apex. The frond is normal in its lower parts. It was found by

А. Clapham, Esq, near Settle, in Yorkshire, and is rare

58, erista-galli (W) is one of the modifications of multifidum, but differs from it in the apex being

‘a complicated folding rather than a complicated dividing of its parts. The lower portion of the frond

is erenato-undulate. It is permanent under cultivation, and produces the same form from its spores.
It was found in Dorsetshire in 1850 by Mr. Wollaston.
59. chelafrons (W.). This curious little plant, evidently of the multifid group, is, from its pigmy

habit, scarcely to be distinguished as such. The fronds rarely attain a length of four inches, but are

more frequently from half an inch to two inches long; the apex of most of them is bifurcate, exactly in

THE COMMON HARTS-TONGUE FERN

the shape of а crab's-claw, having the external margin smooth, and the internal erenate or dentate
Tt was found at Chislehurst, Kent, by Mr. Wol

п, in 1854,

dismultiid asin cristatum (57), the lower port

dum (W). In this variety the apex of the fro

being normal. The fronds are stipes, and this stipes so rigid or wiry

that it is quite a remarkable feature in the plant, It has a slight tendency, also, to be supra-lineate

Mr. Wollaston found it in Sussex in 1854,

61. laceratum (NL). This is, perhaps, the most remarkable variety yet known; instead of bei

simply strap-shaped, the fronds may be not inaptly called sub-pinnatifid, “It is short and

broad, sub-deltoid, the margin deeply inciso-lobate, the lobes large, crowded, and multifid erispod at

their apex ; or sometimes strap-shaped, the margin inciso-lobate, with the

bes narrow, elongate, and

tapering toa point; the apex sub-multifid; the base sometimes hastate.” Tt was first found at Taunton,

Somorsotshiro, by Mr. J. Young, who has raised from it many seedlings, bearing more or less the charac

ters of the original. One very similar form has lately been f

und in Yorkshire, by Mr. Clapham, of

Scarborough. It is now а common garden variety, and is sometimes known under the names of

palmatum, serratum, and endiciafolium.

62. glomeratum (М). There is no plane or strap-shaped portion to the frond of this variety, but it

ain in so dense a manner, that a frond of about three inches high forms almost

a perfectly globular mass, It was found in Jersey by M. Piequet, and was sent to us by Mr. Jackson.
63. ramosum (Wild). This, with the variety digitatum (65) and glomeratum (62), are the most ramose

of all the forms о

Scolopendrium. It is ram

«d at tho apex, at least two hundred fold, in some instances,

Each frond consists in а multiplication of all its p

ramifying as the limbs of a tree, and each branch b

saring a densely and multi

ly crisped frond and
frondlets almost ad in

Its early history is not known, but is mentioned as long

diy
shire, It is uniformly constant and reproduces itself by its spores

Plukenet’s time, Recently,
Rey. J. М. Chanter in De

од examples have boon found by Mr. C. Jackson in Guernsey

64. ramosum majus (Clapham). This is quite unlike ramosum

ing less multifid, Mr. Clapham says
that “the peculiarity it p

great thickness of the stipes, which seems to be a combination
ip ti

of two or three run into one, so that several frond

branch out from the summit of the stipes. ‘The

fronds in their outlines and cutting vary much.” "It originated in the Camellia house of Mr

Clapham,

of Settle, Yorkshire, where it accidentally came up in the soil.” It is quite constant. In specimens

sent by Mr. Clapham, two or threo vigorous, almost normal fronds, grew on one stipes,
65. digitatum (У). "Thi

variety resembles ramosum (63), except that its fronds are flat, that is, all its
ramifications and divisions are in one plane, so that the fronds are somewhat hand-shaped. The won
derfally compou

Vd ramifications of this variety is shown below, only approximately, however, іп the

fifth, sixth, and seventh series of divisions, It is by no means a common form. The frond from which

this table was drawn up, was grown by Mr, Wollaston, and with the living plant, is now in his possessio
[ у шр possession,

мәле 21%

66. Jacerum (Sim). This variety is a modification of the last, from which it was r

isod, but
is permanently unlike it. It has а tendency to be viviparous, The fronds are branched as in

digitatum, nt. the leafy portions are much depauperated, and frequently little else than the vei

remain, giving the appearance of a leaf Incerated or torn into shreds, with the irre

wlarly-jagged
margins shriveled. It was raised from spores by Mr. R. Sim, of Foot's Cray, Kent, and is rare

Е sch

[Loin

Piare ХЫП. А,

THE SCALE FERN, or SCALY SPLEENWORT
(CETERACH OFFICINARUM),

ACH, Willdeno

C. orricrmanox; f

sinuato-pinnatifid, often
bel

Seales у reticulato-venose, dark brown. Fibres

THE SCALE FERN

«ply pinnatifid, often pinnate below. Lobes oblong, obtuse

closely-imbricated scales; linear-lanccolate

and adnate by their whole base when distinct, more usually dilated on both sides and connected

at the base, margined with projecting seal

Venation indistinct from the thick texture of the frond, consisting of a sinuous midvein, entering the

its anterior side, a vein which is several

obe from near the lower angle, and giving of, close to the bas
times forked ; the rest of the veins are alternate and two or three times forked. Beyond the second

fork the branches or venules anastomose and form two or three series of small areoles near the margin,

Fructification produced over the whole under surface. Sort linear oblong, borne on the anterior sido

of tho anterior venules, above the first fork, except in the ca
fre

le of its anterior venulo, the other

ently bisoriferous, one sorus being as usual on the anterior "

irst hidden by the denso covering of scales,

the posteri sterior venule; they are

seribed as an erect white membranous

which eventually they burst through, Zndusium ob

ridge. Spore-eases roundish obovate, Spores roundish or somewhat oblong, muriente

‘Duration, The caudex is perennial. "he fronds аго persistent, new ones appearing about May

sd by its tufted sinuato-pinnatifid fronds, invested.

rect

tish Ferns this plant isat onee reco
th, The c

Among

morie position of the plant is not so
Г

with a close covering of tawny scales

of relationship it bears to r though closely

r the degree a

satisfactorily or readily settled, neiti

sori are said to have a narrow indusium

analogous plant found in Tenerife and the Canaries.

behind them, and the spore-cases grow from the anterior side of tho vein, and henee it has been, and

probably correctly, considered to belong to the 4spleniza, with which the reticulation of its scales is in

accordance. We have never found in the British plant, though we believe we havo in that of the

Ca

nary Isles, an undoubted indusium, but the dense clothing of scales seems a sufficient exp

the obsolete condition of this organ ; which is pr

P
admitted that it presents only differences of degree, but it is not unfrequently twice the length and

у represented by a raised line or ridge which

recases, As to the distinetn

occurs behind the line of of the Canary Island plant it must b

imen of true C. oficinarun, and even its smaller examples of

three times the breadth of the largest s

the same le lish fronds aro twice their breadth, and consequently of a different outline

If a variety only, it is a gigantic ono

It grows with tolerable freedom in rough porous soil, which should consist of sandy loam, and

ts of limestone or old mortar; and it must be kept

should contain a considerable amount of fragme

s mend the use

mo of our correspondents re

rather dry than otherwise, and in a well-aired place

of old cow-manure, and altogether 1 treatment, but in that caso more than ordinary caution.
"This species does not vary much except in size, There are, however, one or two forms found in

some situations, which may be considered as sli m

1. crenatum (М). This has the margins of the lobes distinctly erenato-sinuate, and is usually larger

form. It is mot with occasionally in various

ın the commo alitics, occurring probably under

int when indifferently cultivated.

certain conditions which favour luxuriant growth, and hence not cons
2. multifidum (У) is a non-permanent unfroquent form, differing from the normal only in the

divided apex of the frond.

3. depauperatum (W.), OF this several variations have been met with, chiefly in Ireland, where it was

found by Dr. Allein. The most remarkable of the forms was found by Lieut.Col. Bucha

n at

Kilkenny. The fronds are irregularly sinuato-pinnatifid, some bifureate at the

apex, some tapering to

an acuminate point, and others cornute; the segments very much depauperated, occasionally almost

wanting, in which ease the fronds pres

ted by Mr, Wollaston,

nt the appearance of а sinuately winged rachis. It is probably

constant and is now cultiva

3

NATURE,

PRINTING

Ta >
NN Voz»

T

2)

MM
UN

7

UM

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б;
e

= е

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CS

d
I

A. Ceterach officinarum.

В, Gymnogramina leptophylla. С. Blechnum Spieant.

Plate АШ

2 mer A амата.

Рите XLII. в

THE SMALL-LEAVED GYMNOGRAM

(GYMNOGRAMMA Lepropuyna).

GYMNOGRAM

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

THE SMALL-LEAVED GYMNOGRAM

ишег; in one such example now before us, which is

livided on the same dichotomous plan as the

p

nch long, the pinnae are each twice dichotomously lobed, and each ultimate

has
five-cighths of an

its si nds of this pinnate

nearly parallel and its apex blunt and two-cleft. Two or three fr

character, each successive. one larger and more divided than the preceding, and all broader and more

during the adolescent state of the plants.

leafy in character than the subsequent ones, are produ

Hit and become more compoundly divided, and

our of the individual plant, reach to their full

After this stage has been pas

in two, three, ог four stages, according to the vi

development. The intermediate fronds are from one-and-a-half inch to three inches high, and are

ds are from three to six or eight

distinetly bipinnate, and generally fertile. The fully developed

ow erect mature fronds are oblong ovate, bi- or tri-pinnate, and fertile

ular, alternate, Pinnules ovato-cuneate, about three-lobed, the lobes

throughout, Pinna ovate triangı

obovate, and notched at the apex. ‘The pinnules are scarcely stalked, their base tapering down to a

narrow and slightly decurrent attachment, Specimens of vigorous growth become tripinnate, by the

more complete separation of the lobes of the pinnules,

of a vein which forms by dichotomy а branch at the

Venation of the ordinary pinnules consisti

base of each lobe ; this vein becomes again branched in the same dichotomous manner near the centre

of the lobe, its two venules being directed the two apical teeth, and terminating

within the margin. Occasionally the mot toothed, vein is simple

Fructifcation occupying the whole back of the frond, without indusia, Sori linear, forked, occupying

nearly the entire length of the venules, and а portion of the vein below the dichotomy, henee fork

row lobes nearly to their

that is, diverging in two lines from near the base of the pinne along the

apes, at first distinct, but eventually becoming confluent into one mass. When the vein is simple the

оган is simply linear. Spore-cuses nearly globose, Spores roundish or bluntly tr
striato-punetate, dark brown-purple

Duration. "The rhizome is annual, and the development of the plant consequently rap

Jersey we learn that the prothallus is developed in the damp Inte autumnal months, being perfe

formed in November, Ву January three or four fronds have been produced; in April or May the
growth is mature; by August the plants have perished, Sometimes in cultivation the fronds are not

produced till the second year

This Fern clearly belongs to the genus Gymnapramma, which is distingui

Љу the greater length, and the more or less frequently forked condition of the sori. This group,

itself not too distinct however from Grammitis, some modern botanists have desired to divide into

several genera, one of which, Anogramma, was proposed expressly for this species by Link. Beyond

the marks of habit and aspect, however, there is nothing to separate generically any of the free-veined

one are insufficiont

Gymnogrammas, and such marks

No other British Fern approaches at all nearly to the Small-leaved Gymnogram, either in aspect, or

in botanical characters.
Tt succeeds with very little caro from the cultivator, and like its West Indian ally, Gymnagramma

chærophylla, scatters its spores, and be genial situations. Any light

sandy soil suits it, That in which it grows naturally in Jersey, and of which Mr. Ward kindly gave us

a portion richly furnished with its spores, is a sandy loam ; and scattered on the surface of a flower-pot

this yielded an abundant crop of plants. The young plants like shade, moisture, and a temperate

climate, which conditions will ensure their successful growth. Propagation must either be trusted to

the natural scattering of the spores, or a frond or two Just arrived at maturity should be preserved
and the spores deposited towards autumn in the situations where plants are required. We learn from

who have grown the plant in cold situations, that the dev

beyond the production of the prothallus until the second year. Our plants have been strictly annual.

в

Piare XLII с

THE COMMON HARD FERN @Busensun Sica.

Vor. MULTIFORCA!

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

acuminate, deep

THE COMMON HARD FERN,

to the eaudex; and, as well as the rachis, channelled in front, rounded

т dark

brown; terminal and adheren

stipes, of from five to ten inches

and prominent behind, The fertile fronds have

long, and the rachis is more distinetly purp
Vernation eireinate

y from six to eighteen inches in length,

Fronds (the barren ones) averaging about a foot, but varyı

опе or two inches in breadth, dark green, spreading or pro lincar lanceolate, pectinately-pinnatifd

tion, diminishing below; the

Lobes linear oblong, flat, somewhat faleately curved in an upward din

nd contiguous at their

ower ones, small, roundish, the u into a lanceolate point, dilated a

тег contiue
base, bluntish or acute at their apex, the margins entire, or rarely, when very vigorous, obscurely lobed
Fertile fronds of the same form, taller,—one to two fect high—erect, pinnate below, growing from the

centre of the erown, Pinna and segments lincar acute, contracted to about half the width of the barren

at the

segments, the lower ones distant, the upper more contiguous, and then dilated and conflu

base. Intermediate fronds, sparingly fertile and not contracted, are sometimes produced.

Venation of the barren fronds distinct, that of the lobes consisting of a stout midvein, producing

in a small transparent club-shaped

‘once or twiee-forked reins, the venules terminating within the margi

4| nature, and

head. ‘The venation of the fertile fronds is altered in consequence of their contr

consists of a series of veins, seldom having space to become forked, but becoming lost in the continuous

nd very near to the midvein. In the

mgitudinal sporangiferons receptacle which runs parallel with

less contracted fertile fronds, the venules are continued towards the margin exterior to the receptacle.

Fructification on the back of the fertile fronds and occupying nearly the whole under surface. Sort

indusiate, linear, extending on each side the midrib, the whole length of the narrow pinnze, over which

‚dusium n narrow linear

they soon become confluent, Receptacle continuous, longitudinal ariose

membrane attached along the exterior side of the receptacle, within the margin of the frond, but

sometimes from, the excessive contraction of the pinnse almost marginal. Sporo-cases nearly globose.

Spores roundish oblong or ovate, slightly angular and punctate.
Duration, The caudex is perennial, the plant is evergreen, the old fronds continuing through winter,

and young ones springing up about Мау

1 on that account, no lo

"This than for its evergreen

character, it desorves to bo more frequent

a very elegant and distinet-looking Fern,

y cultivated, Tts long narrow pectinately divided fronds, th

barren and fertile growing separate, afford easy marks of recognition,

nists as to the generic p

‘There exists a difference of opinion among b sition of this plant,

some referring it to Zomariz, while others retain it im Zlechnum. The differences between these

genera are merely those of degree, both having continuous longitudinal sori; these in Zomaría aro

margina sar the midvein. In this instance, the contraction of the frond

and in Blechnum are placed n

brings the otherwise costal sorus very near to the margin, but as there is usually, and often very
distinctly, a space exterior to it, the plant seems to accord best with tho structure of Blechnum, in

which we continuo to place it, notwithstanding the Zomaria-like contraction of the fertile fronds.

In cultivation it prefers a northern exposure, abundant moisture, and a somewhat retentive soil

Tt is a very ornamental plant for rockwork where these conditions can be fulfilled, but does not so well

as others bear the confinement of pot or house culture, It is increased by division, In transplanting,
the roots should be carefully preserved, with a good mass of вой.

"There are many forms aberrant from the typo of the species ; these are enumerated below, chiefly
in Mr. W

laston's notes

1. lanejfolium (W.). This is the least divided form of the species, bearin

m

Patersoni, and is perhaps the most striking of all the varieties. It is as if the plant was

much resemblance to

Lomaria P

in process of formation. Generally the fronds are entire and strap-shaped, from the apex down-

h,

wands for one-third or even half their length, while the remainder is obtusely lobate or distantly

THE COMMON HARD FERN,

renato; and in no instance are the lobes

the

ds fully developed. ‘The
eighth to one-half of an inch, but are usually

y in width from one-

marter of an inch wide, diminishing slightly
downwards, and rarely attaini

% length of eight inches. ‘The fertile fronds resemble the barren in

development, but are still more curious, having occasionally only a few imperfect lobes about an

n inch in length, and the rest of the s

ith of а i borne on a narrow wing or membrane bordering

the rachis, the whole width being under one-eighth of an inch. They vary, however, from this to a

fuller development of rather

more than half an inch wide, with

h fronds

ro frequent lobes, and wit

about eleven inches long. There are al

produced fronds which aro intermediate between the barren
and fertile, It was found near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in 1853, by Mr. Wollaston, and is at present a

unique and constant form,

2. heterophyllum (УУ). This form

probably the first stop from the normal form towards the
variety strictum, bearing two sorts of fro

ids, either separately or commi

ıgled. Some fronds are of the
usual cha

meter ; others have the segments more or less altered, Босо

ig either narrowed and

dentate, or shortened to a semicircular outline, with the margin inciso-dentate ; and this in an unequal

and ds

regular manner, though frequently portions of the f metimes entire fronds, bear the

shortened segments, and are conseque

ly linear in outline. As in many other varieties of this
monstrous character, the

lants, though not producing all the fronds affected, always bear affected

fronds, and it is altogether a curious, constant, and rare variety. It was found in 18
Wells, Kent, by Mr, Wollaston

3. strictum (Francis). This

3, near Tunbridge

scribed by Mr. Francis, from Westmoreland fronds com-
municated by Miss Beever, has been found more recently by Dr, Allchin, in Ireland ; and again, by
Mr. F. Clowes, near Bleak Holme, Windermere, The fronds are pinnatifd, the lobes being unsym-

metrically and bluntly toothed, wavy, laciniate, depauperate, and rarely bifurcate ; the lower lobes

resembling the upper valve of a small shell of the genus Area, ‘The fertile fronds are unknown. It is
a permanent and graceful form, and very rare,
4. interruplum (W).

is combines the peculiarities of several of the varieties before enumerated,
and is very variable in its growth, but differs from all in having some fronds ramoso, others normal but

depauporated in part, and their apices bent down fuleately, others of the intermediate semi-fertile

character

; With tho lobes bifureate, but all interrupted ; and whe

this change of the lobes occurs
the frond forms an irregular cur

ature, and throws out an abortive frond, or what will probably
т

prove to be а bulbil resembling other proliferous forms, It was found near
by Mr. Wollaston,

bridge Wells, Kent,

xls a permanent and unique variety

5. serratum (Wo. This form may have been originally caused by great luxurianee of growth,
amd excessive moisture, but it has proved con
Mr. Wol

are about four and a half inches wide in the contro, and eighteen inches long ; their lobes are sharply

it more or less since 1853, when it was found by

ın in a boggy ditch near Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The fertile fronds, nearly oval in outline,

serrated, and one or more of the apical lobes start off nearly at a r de, forming other small

fronds, The barren fronds are deeply serrated and frequently bifureate ; the semi-fertile fronds aro

normal, without serratures

в. multifidum (W.) is the normal form, which occasionally (but neither uniformly nor symmetrically)
divides once or more at the apex. Tt is not constant under cultivation, but is of frequent occurrence
in damp shady places

bifidum (W.) is а further development of multifidum, e

In this the apex is moro frequently multifid, and rather erisped ;

used by excessive shade and n

ture,
1 the lobos, both of tho fertile and

niformly, in the same way. Tt is а sub-permanent form

barren fronds, are sometimes affected, but not

and not une у
8. Дыши (М). Тһе peculiarity of this form is, that the apex of the rachis is, as it were, split

down a few inches, both sides of the resulting branches bearing lobes, but those on the inner sides

THE COMMON HA

FERN

adimentary, or very much smaller than those of the outer sides. The apices are sometimes somewhat
multifid. It was found near Tunbridge Wells, and is not unfrequent, and tolerably constant. The

similar to that. of some kinds of

appearance produced by the inequality of development in th

Gleichenia,

9. crispun (W). This is a permanent form, in which the apices of all the fronds are multifidly-

found in Ireland, by

but very rarely divided. Tt has b

1, and the lobes are wavy or curl

Dr. Kinahan, and near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in 1851, by Mr. Wollaston, and is not a common form.

1

10, trincreium (W). This variety in its most marked character is no more than a trifoli
Blechnum, but it not unfrequently sends up fronds more or less multifid and erisped, with the lobes
Difureate, 16 is exceedingly rare, and was found in Ireland, in 1854, by Dr. Kinahan, by whom the

plants were sent to Mr. Wolla

less, a beautiful connecting

11. cristatum (W.). This constant form, so unlike ramosum, is, nevert

link between it and crispum. Tts peculiarities consist in a development, as it were, of the blunt apical

lobes of crispum into branchlets, differing in that respect from the compound ramifications of ramosum.

and the whole plant is very prone to throw up

Its basal lobes are frequently ek
found in 1853,

semi-fertile fronds, the lobes of which are sometimes bifid, and sharply serrated. It wa

near Tunbridge Wells, by Mr. Wollaston.

12. ramosum (Kinahan). This is exactly analogous to Scolopendrium vulgare, va

1 barren fronds divides dichotomously into branches

rachis (very rarely the stipes) both of the fertile
and branchlets, the apices of which are beautifully curled or tufted. ‘The variety is very raro, and, as

gh Breagh, Wicklow, Ireland, by Dr. Kinahan ;

far as we know, has only been found near Upper Lo

and by Mr, J. Huddart, at Windermere, Westmoreland,

near Erie

ayo, Ireland, by Captain Eden

the plants sli variety

Му differing, 16 is rather a shy-growin

orous variety, very irregular in its f

13. multifurcatum (М). This is a handsome and vi rm, but

ial brane!

ing of the fronds once

quite constant to its peculiarities. ‘These consist, first, in the occasio

as well as the branches

ог twice near the base, and secondly in the apices of tho fronds not ко divide

nents resulting from these apical

ing many times forked near the apex

fureations are most irregular in form, but they spread out, and are each of them extended into a

newhat ragged

lengthened acute point, of which the margins are irregularly notched, producing a s

je-bank near Penryn, Cornwall, b

Mr. F. Symons, and

appearance, It was found in 1853, in a hed

was communicated to us by Mr. G. Dawson.

jr ©

N Pre XLIV
THE COMMON BRAKES, o» BRACKEN
3 (Prexis AQUILINO.
у ч, б inet mide
in at their apices by the с

THE COMMON BRAKES

Rhizome as thick as one’s little finger, subt black and ж

externally, white succulent and starchy within. Fires branched, downy

Stipes lateral and distant on the rhizome and adherent to it; ы

dlo-shaped, black and velvety

at the b

i e, beneath the surface ; above yellowish green, pubescent when young, afterwards smooth,

but sharply angular when mature, and about or rather over half the length of the frond ; a transverse

t a fanciful resemblance to the

section shows the ends of the vascular bundles arranged so as to presen
imperial eagle, whence the specific name, Zachis channelled above, rounded behind, sometimes
slightly asporulous.

Vernation circinate ; the rachis is in an carly stage bent down abruptly elose against the stipes,

Fronds variable in size, outline and composition, deep.

em. In poor soils they vary from six to
cighteen inches in height, and in more favourable localities they reach from three or four to eight or ten

+; in the former cases the outline is nearly triangular, and from the lower pair of

branches only being well developed, they appear threo-branched ; in the latter cases they are more

elongated or oblong, and the growth consists of a series of brane

In composition the smaller aro bipinnate, the larger fronds tripinnate. Pinna or branches ovate or

oblong-ovate, opposite, often distant. Pinnutes or secondary pinnæ narrow lanceolate or narrowing

from а broad base, opposite or alternate, contiguous, М т sometimes caudate. Pinnulets sessile

entire or sinuate, oblong and adnate by their whole breadt

or more ovate pinnatifid, and then

with a narrower attachment, blunt at the apex, smooth above, hairy beneath ; the pinnatifid ones

with blunt linear oblong or shorter triangular lobes,

Venation of the mo m a stoutish

entire pinnulots, consisting of forked veins arenately spreading fr

m. In the

midvein ; these veins are one, two, or three times forked, the venules extending to the marg
pinnatifid pinnulets the veins become secondary midveins to the lobes, and give off a series of once or
twice forked veins; in these latter the lowest branches right and left of the secondary midveins

al areoles. Al

frequently meet and unite forming a series of c

he edges of the fertile pinnulets

extends a longitudinal submarginal vein, which b

mes the receptacle

Fructifieation abundant on the back of the fronds, sub-marginal. Sori linear, continuous, the recep-

tacular үсіп occupying nearly the margin of the pinnulets, and lying as it were in the axil of the

indusium. Zndusium lin

continuous, consisting of a thin whitish fringed membrane from th

outer edge of the receptacle, and folded inwards over the spore-cases; beneath the spore-cases and

growing from the inner edge of tho receptacle is another similar fringed membrane ; the fringes consist

of small jointed hairs, Spore-cases roundish obovate. Spores round oblong or angular, muriculate

Duration. "The rhizome is perennial, "The fr re annual, growing uj

carly in May, but very

impatient of cold or frosts, and killed by the early frosts of autumn,

common and well-known Fern, but also easily recognised technically ritish Ferns, by the

al sori, on compound fronds, not contracted, Like all other widely diffused

aquilina .

THE COMMON BRAKES,

ot to variations of outline а

1 division, as well as of vestiture, but the variations are of
litle im

tance. The nature of the membrane which is found lying beneath the sori, at least in ti

fully fructitied fronds, has not been well explained. It would indeed seem that the lir

lie between two unequal membranes naturally projected outwards from the mar

4 receptacle (the

fructification having so far somo resemblance to that of Zindsæa), the rovolution of the margin, however

actually bringing the smaller of these membranes beneat!

while û

ther lies over the spore-eases as a
cover. "This latter must be re

ited as the true indusium, while the fo

is probably of the nature
of an accessory indusium

‘Tho Bracken is not an ornamental plant, in t

е usual sense of the expression ; inde

small rockeries, it is rather weedy than ornamental, Nevertheless there are situations in which it may

be cultivated with advantage. Thus, for example, it may be grown for ornament about the margins of

that class of plantations which skirt approach roads or screen unsightly objects; and it may also be

used with advantage for the purp

f affording shelter, or cover in the more open pi

parks and paddocks, There has been an impression that the Peris is difficult to transplant successfully

this impression may, with probability, be traced to

tatemont, long since made, by Sir J. E. Smith,

is effect. If however, the subterrancous horizontal rhizome is dug up in winter, with

injury, and

planted with

inary care, there is little risk of failure. "The plant is not at all particular as to во

except that it seems to avoid chalk, though no doubt a deep sandy loam is most congenial to it

‘There are few varieties of tho Bracken as yet discovered ; these few are as follow :—

1. integerrima (М). "The peculiarity of this form consi

з in the comparative entirety of the

secondary pinnules (pinnulets) ; these, instead of being mostly and

ply pinnati

d, are nearly all

quite entire, or here and there only one or two of the basal ones are slightly crenato-lobate, It is no

uncommon, and probably merges into the pinnatifid form, but many plants and patches of plants ar

ing this peculiarity in a striking degree, There is also a young form of this variety in

found pos

Which the primary pinnae are deltoid, and the pinnules of the seco

dary pinnæ sessile, very broad, and

regularly erenate, having something of the appearance of Litobrochie vespertilionis, It is not

2. обра (W). There are two forms of this variety, the divis ling with the

ns of both correspor

the pinnulets
entire undulate and reflexed, as in Athyrium Filiz-fæmina rhæticum ; the other has them erenate and
corrugately waved, as in Scolopendrium vulgare crispum. Tt is not an uncommon, but a local variety

multifida (W.). "This, in its best condition, is a rather unusual form of the plant, and like many

other varieties bearing this name, is only sub-permanent: with this exeeption it is analogous to the

Athyrium Filiz-fæmina multifidum. There are two sub-forms of it: one, in which the apex of the frond

and the apices of most of the primary pinnas are multifdly-erisped ; the other in which the apex of the

the primary pinnee aro rarely multifid, but the apices of the secondary pinne (pinnules) and

ap
ad. Many localities produce ono or other of these forms ; the most

many of the pinnulets are affected in
a near Ottery St, Mary
у

marked of tho former aro from near Chislehurst, Kent, and of the latter fr
n Devo

received the former fro

and Mr. C, Jackson ; and the

Devon, both found by Mr. Wollaston, We have al

hered by Miss Wilkins

М. Chanter, and from Guernsey

has been found by Mr. В, O. Gray in Cobham Park, Kent, and also by Mr, Chanter in Devonshire

4. depanperata (УГ). This Me. Wollaston describes аз а most curiously depaupera

ast, but non-permanent as regards this stato, and only sub-permanent as regards its multifid stat

respond with those of multifidum, but

novertheless deserving of record, Tho divisions of the frond

ss of the primary pinnas, and th

attenuated and occa:
m

the secondary pinna» are all decurrent, depauperat
ton, and at Bowness, in Cumberland

been found in two woods near Chislehurst, Kent, by Mr. W

by Mr. Wood.

Prare XLV

THE COMMON MAIDENHAIR FERN

(Ашмахтим OCAPILLUS-VENERIS),

be
disunited at their api

А. Carns
1

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

THE COMMON MATDENHAIR FERN

ral, adherent to the rhizome, and as well as the rach

with а few scattered

Vernation circinata

Fronds usually ovate or triangular, sometimes oblong or lanceolate, membranaceous, glabrous,

netimes eighteen inches in length, bipinnate or tripinnate

bright green, drooping, from six to twelv

Pinna and Pinnules alternate, the latter of various forms: roundish with the base truncate

sub-thomboidal, or obliquely fan-shaped, but generally more or less cuneate at the base, attached by

ior lobate ; the sterile lobes dentate or

inciso-dontate, the fertile obtuse or truncate, the sor often occupying their entire width.

salar bundles

Venation of the pinnules consisting of of dichotomous ramifications of the v

of the petioles; the first fureation forming the extreme base of the pinnule, and the veins becoming

gain and again forked in a flabellato-radiate manner, until the whole pinnule is traversed by a series o

contiguous and therefore nearly parallel venules, which are disunited at their apices. In the sterile

portions, one of these venules is directed to cach marginal tooth, in the apex of which it terminates,
In the fertile portions, the venules extend to the margin, and are thence continued nearly across the

indusium, there forming

i oblong, more or less lengthened

Fructifcation on the back of the fronds, generally distributed,

according to the width of the lobe on which they are borne, seated on the under sur

borne on the apices of all the lobes into which the anterior margin of the pinnules is divided. | Zndusium

1 of the apex of the lobe, reflexed, and changed into

of the same form, consisting,

а thin bleached veiny membrane. Spore-eases globose. Spores roundish or angular, ovate, smooth,

Рита nt, remaining until after young ones

Tho rhizome is perennial, Tho fronds are persis

are produced, if kept from being injured by frost. ‘The young growth commences in April and Мау

The Adiantum is unlike every other British Fern; its black, shining, slender stipes, capillary

ications, and fan-shaped pinnules,
The M

spoetive of its fructiiention, at once distinguish it

mhair grows freely—in a moist close greenhouse, or in the stove, the temperature of which

it enjoys—in the usual light compost of turfy peat and sand, with abundant drainage, "he rhizome

14 not be buried in the soil, but fixed on the surface. The plants are injured by severe cold, even

when in а closed house, so that it cannot be considered a hardy Fern. Pr

fected by

opagation is e
division of the thi

so widely over the world, it might be expected that modifications of form would occur

and such indoed is the ease, two or three being met with even in this country. In addition to the usual

state with lobed and decidedly wedge-shaped pinnules, we have, ther

1. multifidum (УР). Dichotomous growth rarely occurs in this genus, but is occasional and inconstant

2. incisum (М). This has both the barren and fertile pinnules deeply pinnatifid, or split down into

long narrow lobes, but is otherwise of the usual growth. Marked examples aro rare in this country; one
f

ıd in Ireland by Dr, Allehin in 1853 is constant. Mr. Newman notices another from Mewstone Bay,
in Devonshire. There are, however, various gradations of this structure, both native and foreign.
3, rotundatum (М.ф). This sub-variety, found in the Isle of Man (a very similar one also on the south-

d

west coast of England) has at first sight a different aspect We have to thank Mr. Wilson

Mr. Rylands for fronds from tho Mans locality, and several correspondents have furnished the analogous

specimens from the English coasts, The chief peculiarity in the most marked, ie, the Manx plant

consists in the basal pinnules having a rounder outline than usual, with the base truncate; the usual

cuncated base, wanting in the

pinnules, appearing, however, in the upper parts of the same fronds

In addition, the fronds are narrow, and the pinna

more spreading. We cannot, however, fix the limit

of these peculiarities, intermediate and connecting specimens ocenrring from various localities

><
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ЕН A DAN ВЯ СТАЕ ЛЬ

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Рілт XLVI. л

THE BRITTLE BLADDER FERN

(Cystopteris FRAGILIS),

THE BRITTLE BLADDER FERN

broad, obtuse, decurrent

Var. Dioeteana: pinne deflexed, overlapping ; pinnules crowd

very slightly toothed, or bluntly lobed with the lobes seareely toothed ; sori sub.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

Caudez short, tufted, decumbent, sl

wy spreading,

searecly creeping, ќе, advancing laterally by the

successive projection of the fronds, which form a tuft at

ic extremity ; somewhat scaly. Seales pale
brown, lanceolate, Fires branched, wiry, numerous,

Stipes

der, brittle, readily breaking away from the candex, dark brown at the base, and there

furnished with a few narrow lanceolate scales, paler or green and smooth upwards; terminal, and
adherent to the caudex,

Vernation circinate

nds from three or four to twelve or eighteen inches in length, erect, herbaceous, dull green,

7

Ы. ХС 7
DDA ; ^

ANI

“у? KY Y

манызы аты а».

fragilis.

e

Cystopteris

A

C.regia. ©. C.montana.

Be

LADDER FERN,

smooth, oblong-laneeolate, sub-bi

ipinnate, bipinnate, or rarely tripinnate. 2

late, with the pinnules us

nnæ ovate-lanceolate or

by a wing to the rachis. Pinnules of the more typical forms ovate at the base of tho

inne, oblong
towar

morally acute but sometimes bluntish ; the larger deeply pinnatifid, with o

toothed lobes; the smaller inciso-dentate or more shallowly toothed, the teeth generally acute. Tn the

angustata series of forms the pinnulos are na

onspieuously and acutely toothed ; in

tho dentata series, they are not

о much separated, and are blunter, and usually, though not always,

Jess deeply toothed, but always with the teeth blunt.

Venation of the larger pinnules consisting of a flexuous midvein, from which a branch or гейі

Proceeds along cach lobe, giving off secondary branches, or renden, mostly simple, one of which

these lobes,

inal tooth. ‘The smaller pinnužes more or less resemblo the la

imilar as regards their venation,
Pructification scattered. over the whole back of the frond. Sort roundish in outline, numerous,

borne on nearly all the branch

of the veins in fully fructifid fronds, and thus in the more divided
forms appearin

be scattered without order over the whole surface, but in the less divi

more evidently placed in а line, near tho margin of the pinnules, as they often are in the 1

* though in some forms they are situated nearer the midrib than the margin, and often in

beco

e confluent; indusiate, medial on the veins. Zndusium а thin smooth delicate hoo:

od
membrane

tached behind 4

either truncato and thus roundish, or pro-
longed at the point and thus acutely or acuminately ovate ; at first inflected forwards over the spore

soon, however, becoming reflected backwards and shrivelled ; the anterior margin either entire

or split into na

w segments. Spore-cases roundish obovate, Spores round or oblong, strongly echinate

Duration. The caudex is perennial, "The fronds are annual, appearing in April or Мау; they

quickly arrive at maturity, and are

owed by others in succession through the summer; an

эге destroyed by the early frosts of autu

Viewed as a collective spocies—and it cannot be satisfe

ily viewed in any other light—this Fern is

‘easily enough recognised by its small slender fragile bipinnate oblong-lanceolate fronds, and the peculiar
f the fructification may be seen enclosing,

anists have from time to time endeavoured to separate from it, though sometimes assuming a

hooded or semienlyeifo

the roundish masses o vus in character that the species which
b
distinct-looking aspect, are at other times not easily to be ree

p
Athyrium Füirfomina and L

Te is a plant so polymorph

gnised, and aro scarcely to be defi

manently, even ns varieties. The Cystopteris fragilis may indeed. be considered as being, like the

trea dilatata, a botanical ignis fatuus, alluring the incautious novelty

in which, when at length his mental vision b

secker among the qu

cleared by more extended observations, he finds himself h

The indusium of Cystopteris when assuming the truncated somicalyciform character it sometimes

bears, stands in the same relation to the hemitelioid scales found behind the sori in some species of

Alsophila, as the more perfect cup in Woodvia—a true cup in some exotic species—does to that of

the polypodiaceous and eyatheac

Cyathea, These genera thus become connecting links betwe

series. Cystopteris has also a close affinity with that genus of davallioid ferns, called Aerophorus,

This is a pretty little fern for the cultivator, affording some variety in his collection, and thriving

y greenhouses, or on open shady rock-work in localities which enjoy a

"The soil may be composed of light turfy peat and loam, with sand, in

ге atmosphe

sould be ample. It increases readily by division or from the spores

equal parts, and the drainage
dam

spoils those plants which aro
oon sp

The fronds are freque 1 by the ravages of a yellow fungus (Uredo ficum), which

Hously attacked. From its most commonly

THE BRITTLE BLADDER FERN

confined dampness generally maintained in structures where ferns are grown, but as we find native

imens from Ben Lawers and from Ireland aro similarly affecte appear to be a natural

wing ; which are, however, not always so well defined as could be wished

(Smith). The form to which this name has

1. ануша а given appen
st the species, and includes those forms in which the edges of the smaller pinnules, and of the
lobes of the larger ones, are deeply and rather evenly conspicuous longish narrow teeth.
According to Sir J. E. Smith this is the same as the Polypodium rhæticum of Dickson and of Bolton

inate. Mr. W

(Bil, Brit. t. 45). The spores (in Dickson's plant) are roundish and ec llaston and

others think it is not a v bly there are more than one to which the mame is

stant form, and pro

applied, some of which may revert under culture to the ordinary state; but we have a plant smaller

indeed than Smith's description seems to point out, which we include under angustata, and this with
us is quiet constant under cultivation, Tt is more attenuated in the frond, the pinnae, and the pinnules
and these are its chief characteristics.

(М), This is а distinct and constant form, cultivated by Mr, A. Tait, of Edinburgh, It is

peculiar in its short blunt ovate narrowly tly stalked pinnules, which are deeply separated

into distinet oblong lobes, almost pinnules, and these are notehed with small even teeth, which are very

apparent, The spores are echinate. The colour of the fronds is a dark green,

3. dentata (Dickson). There are some cultivated forms referable to this variety that aro constant,

though it is probable that accidentally blunt pinnuled fronds of other forms aro sometimes associated
with it in the herbarium, and hence it is often looked on as inconstant, The features of the true plants
эге, small size (four to eight inches long), and confluent pinnules, so that the narrow fronds are sometimes

scarcely bipinnate ; these pinnules are blunt-oblong, simply blunt-toothed, or obscurely blunt-lobed, and

with the sori placed near their margi d forms, having the

Somewhat larger and more

ply

same aspect, aro met with, and through these it gradually merges into obusa, and the normal form.

The spores are ochinate, but searecly in so marke in C. fragilis

4. decurrens (ML). А var

ty intermediate in aspect between dentata and Dicki

the latter in the decurront pinnules and deflexed pinne, but different in the moro acute apices of the

fronds and pinnules, and in the more ereet and prominent teeth, which rather resemble tho f

does the colour and texture, ‘The spores are echinnte. It was f

und by Mr, Тай, on the coast
of Fifeshire

Dickieana: (Bim). The m.

t marked in habit of all the known forms, but connected with fragilis,

decurrens and dentata, and therefore only to be considered as а variety. Its peculiarities

consist in the deflexed pinn more or less overlapping, and in the crowded overlapping position of the

broad short obtuse bluntly-toothed pinnules, which are all connected by the wing of the rachis in

which they are decurrent. The

Jour is uniformly a decp bright green. In the more highly

developed of the fortile fronds the lobes of the pinnules, though still blunt, are more distinct, and they

have then blunt inconspicuo

teeth. The sori are situated very near the margin. The pinna are

twisted more or less from the plane of the frond, as occurs in some

gree in dentata, from which, with

the deflexion of the pinne and the frequent confluence of the pinnules, results a pecular aspect, һу

which this variety is known at first sight. The spores are

or tubereulate, not
echinato-tubereulate as in the other varieties, a fact, we believe, first pointed out by Mr, Wollaston,
The plant was first found by Dr. Dickie on dripping rocks in a cave at Cove, near Aberdeen, and it
has since been gathered in the same place by several botanists, and by Dr. Balfour, near Dunkeld. In

cultivation this sometimes produces fronds or pinnas with the apices multifid.

в. multifida (W.). Tn this, which is not permanent, the apices of the pinna» or of the frond are bifid

от multifid, or the stip

THE BRITTLE BLADDER Fi

RN.

ipta (W.). A curious per

janent monstrosity, found in Westmoreland by Mr. F. Clowes:
The fronds are all dissimilar, but mostly linear, and all more or less narrowed, fe
nterrupte

the altered or

or contracted state of th

pinne. ‘These are sometimes reduced to small f

shaped

or three-lobed expansions al

ng а portion of the frond, which is there narrow-linear, or the pinn

f two to four or six very unequal and irregular, often fan-shaped, pinnules, still producing

û narrow and contracted outline ously truncated,

ic pinnules in the interrupted portions are va

laciniated, depauperated, or sometimes bifid or multifid. Tt is a curious plant and quite permanent.

sempervirens (М), Tore is another form reputed to have been found both in Devonshire and

Kent, also a native of Madeira, which has several distinctive features, and may bo called C. fragilis

‘There are some doubts as to the Englis

igin of this plant, but of its distinctness

as a variety, and probably as a species, none, Bolton's figure (t. 45), under the nai
—

ne of Polypodium
um, is a facsimile of moderate-sized specimens, and he besides mentions two of its prominent

characteristics: if, there

х, his statement is conclusive, which may be open to doubt, it is a native of
Sootland. Tt is certainly а
of F

found at Tunbridge Wells, and is in cultivati

tive of Mad

а, whence we have imported plants received from Mr, Sim

«тау, and probably occurs also in the other North African Islands, It has also certainly been

а from this source; but there аге rumours of its having

been planted there. A similar, but not identical plant, of which a counterpart is also found in Madeira,

agreeing, however, with the other in its principal features, is loosely stated to have been found in

Devonshire; b

this indication of a British habitat is also open to suspicion, the garden whence it has

been distributed having been enriched by importations from Madeira. Whether Presl’s С. canariensis

be the same, there appears no means of determining, except by a reference to the Berlin herbaria,

has not published any definition or character of his plant; and the same may be said of the C. azorica

of Fée. The striking differences presented by the plants under notice are (1) their evergreen chara

senhouse—from which, in fact, frost was not exeluded—continuin,

under shelter, those kept in a cold

t all other known forms of Cystopteris are quite

grow in succession through the whole winter, while

dormant ; (2) the toughness, not brittleness, of their pallid stoutish stipes, which are not easily b

(3) the greater size of the anterior basal pinnules—these two features being mentioned by Bo

dge Wells, and Dev

belonging to his plant; and (4) the glandular-hairy vestiture of the indusi

the fresh plant, In all these peculiarities, the Madeira, and reputed Tunb

specimens perfectly agree ; but the latter is somewhat more slender in the stipes, and more acute in the

е believe it to be, ha

identical, "This evergreen species, for such w
pinnules, than the others, which are identical. This evergreen species,

us fronds of narrowish lanceolate outline, and distinct and

in addition, a short, ercoping rhizo

rather distant pinnules, of which th

are irregularly roundish oblong, murica

separate, The spo

Phare XLVI. x.

THE ALPINE, ок ROYAL BLADDER FERN

(Cystopreris REGIA).

CYSTOPTERIS, Bernhardi.

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

ished with a few very narrow

one-third to one-half the length of the

THE ROYAL BLADDER FERX

«coloured. except at the base which is brownish ; brittle, slender; terminal and adherent to

Fr

ls. Pinna ovate, acute, unequal. Pinnules bluntly

bipinnate, or almost tripinnate in luxuriant fro

or sometimes acutely ovate, with a narrow stalk-like attachment, deeply pinnatifid; the lobes linear or

t distinct erect teeth. which are blunt

lincar-oblong, blunt, obscurely to

pointed or retuse, In the larger pinnules the lobes, though still decurrent, and not truly separate, are

of division,

distant and almost divided to the rachis, producing almost a tripinnate mo

Venation of the pinnules con (ish midvein, with alternate lateral branches (reins

4 into each lobe, and there ching into several eenudes, which terminate in the retuse

apices of the teeth, and are thus apparently directed towards the marginal sinuses.
over the back of the fre

Fructificatiom satte 4. Sori numerous, sometimes crowded, small

round, medial on the veins, indusiate, Zndusium a small delicate transparent membrane, which is

ovate acute, slightly jagged in front, attached behind the sori, projected forwards over them, and at

length reflexed. Spor wate. Spores oblong, echinate.

Duration. ‘The caudex is perennial, The fronds аго annual, appearing in May and perishing

in autumn,

As the plant found at Leyton is generally admitted to be the Polypodium regium of Linnseus, while

it is certainly also the P. alpinum of Wulfen, it seems proper to adopt, as Presl has done, the older

specific name. Linnwus’s specimen, however, it must be observed, is unsatisfactory as evidence in
support of this view.

‘There is no doubt the plant is distinct from C. fragilis, being analogous in size with the smaller

forms of that species, but more finely divided. ‘The segments of its pinnules are either narrow-oblong
or linear, and the teeth are either blunt or more commonly emarginate; the veins very frequently
terminating in the notch at the apex of the tooth, instead of at the projecting point of the tooth, as in
C. fragilis

It is an easily grown plant, either in well-drained pots of free open soil, such as light loam and turfy

peat with sand; or in good, £ e sheltered situations well drained, and with congenial soil, in open

rockeries, It is more liable than the allied plants to suffer from damp while at rest in winter, and

in cultivating it, and

hence should not bo too much watered at that season, There is no other difficulty
it is increased with facility by division.
The

nts occasionally produce forked fronds, but there is no perm

ont variety known.

tyran

Pise XLVI. с.

THE MOUNTAIN BLADDER FERN

(CYSTOPTERIS MONTANA).

CYSTOPTERIS, Bernhardi.
Clusters of Spore-oases votundate, growing from the back

of the veins, medial, indusiate,
Indusium hoo

d or eucullate, fixed by its broad base posteriorly beneath the
sorus, and inflected over it, at length reflected ; the free (anterior) margin
truncate acute or acuminate, often fringed. Ve

forked

* disunited at their extremities,

branched, the branches (оонай) simple

C. монтажа: fronds triangular, tripinnate below

the lobes obtusely subfalcate, to

mg; pinnules ova

inciso-dentato or pin

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

Rhizome ereeping, about as thick as a crow's quill, producing the fronds at intervals, almost black,
1

with a few seattered ovate scales on the younger portions, Fibres branched, rig

‘Stipes lateral and adherent to the rhizome, slender, longer than the fr en ea ng, dark
brownish-purple at the base, paler upwards, sparingly furnished, especially near the base, with ovate
lanceolate scales. Rachis narrowly margined above, and together with the secondary ruchides, which
ned, imes tinged with purple
are also margined, sometimes ting
Vernation eireinate

Fronds four to twelve inches high including the stipes, the leafy portion being about three or four

inches long, and the same in breadth ; herbaceous, deep-green, smooth ; triangular, tripinnate, Pinne

THE MOUNTAIN BLADDER FERN

unequal, ascending, the lower pair considerably largest, two inches and a half long, obliquely ovate

th а the anterior ones; some of the other pinna» are also unequal-

posterior pinnules being largest, but at the top this difference is not manifest

the lar ovate, pinnate, or the smaller upper ones pinnatifid, Pinnulete

тесей by a

the larger pinnules, ovate with a distinct narrowed stalk-like attachment, but c

narrow wing, pinnatifid, with oblong-ovate obtuse lobes cut into linear teeth which are generally bifid at
the extremity, In its ultimate divisions it is thus very much like С, regía.

Venation of the pinnules, consisting of a nearly straight midvein, with alternate veins directed one
into each lobe; a venule is given off towards the teeth, and is continued to the margin, where it is lost
in the sinus formed by the bifid apex of the tooth, thus ending in a depression rather than a projection
of the margin,

Fructification occupying the whole under surface, Sori consisting of numerous moderate sized,

roundish masses of sp

‘eases, medial on the veins, indusiate, Ind

пайот, a delicate transparent, con

cave, subrotund membrane, irregular at the margin, placed at the back of the sorus, and soon

Duration, The rhizome is perennial, ‘The

onda are annual, and appear about May, perishing

This plant is at опсо known from the other British species of Cystoptoris by its long creeping

rhizome, and its triangular and tripinnate fragile fronds, It has much more the aspect of Polyp

Dryopteris, for which it mig]

lt, perhaps, be mistaken—the more readily, as its indusia become soon

obliterated, and the sori then seem to consist of round naked ma:

es of spore-cases. It is, however, not
three-branched, as that is, and is more divided,
‘This plant has hitherto proved difficult to cultivate, probably on account of the slight information

which was possessed

f the peculiarities

its native habitats, Now, however, that it is known that its

rhizomes thread their way on the ledges of dripping rocks, am

ш beds of sphagnum, it may be

supposed that less difficulty will be experienced. These natural conditions suggest the employment of

(L) broad shallow vessels; (2) а very open medium for the roots, such as light turfy peat and

sphagnum intermixed and blended wit

h sand; and (3) constantly abundant, yet not stagnant, moisture

‘The ereeping rhizomes afford every facility for propagatio

gilt

ше

Prare XLVII А

THE OBLONG WOODSIA (Woops иле).

ау
with bi

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

THE OBLONG WOODSIA

Fronds from two to four or six inches long ; terminal on the caudex, thick membranaceous, dull deep

n, more or less rusty beneath from the abundant scales; lanceolate oblong, pinnate. Pinna

alls y nearly horizontal ; the larger ones about an inch, the smaller half an inch, in length.
Lobes eight to twelve, oblong obtuse, the basal ones largest, their margins obscurely cronato, and as
well as the upper surface furnished with coarse seattered hairs, in addition to which on the under

sting of a flexuous and not very distinct midvein, from which arise

nate veins, the lower ones usually forked some distance from their base, the ernudes extending quit

free nearly to the margin, and bearing the sori near tho apes, but below it; the upper veins, which are

tification on the back of the f

1, seattered nearly equally over the whole surface ; situated

below the apex of the veins and venules; so ws and becoming confluent, Sor’ eireular

with jointed shining hairs, which curvo inwards, i ro-cases ; hence they are

involuerate. Spore- gularly three-cornered,

Duration. Тһе caudex is perennial, The fronds aro annual, growing up in spring, about March,

The chief peculiarity of the genus to whi ferred, is found in the peculiar investing

membrane which covers th and which is not easy of examination without careful

anipulation.

Tt consists, in fact, of a small concave scale, resting on the vein, beneath the sorus, having its margi

fringed with numerous hair-like а

fer the spore-eases. ‘This structure

gradually merges through some ex

species into an undivided bladdery cup, containing the spore
cases; so that Woodsia, in this comprehensive sense, forms the passage from the polypodiaccous to the

Woodsia ilvensis differs from W. alpina in the breadth and development of the frond, which ік

lanceolate and not linear, and it has elongated oblong not short delt

id pinnae. Tt differs further in the
1

erinite condition of the stipes and rachis, and of the lower surfuee-of the ribs and veins of the fro

W. alp
hairs. Mr. Wollast

a being almost destitute of subula T

te scales, although sparingly furnished with tubular j

venation, whilst W. direneis shows no trace whatever ication, the sori in W. alpina are
remarkably cons

mous, That they are quite distinct, seems to be the general opinion of botanists,

species, according to Mr. Wollaston's

evations, produces one variety—multifida—in which

the apex of the frond, ss, are bifid.

mally the apices of the

0858 с elo
NR naa ta
NR

RE PRINTING. A.Woodsia ilvensis. в. W. арта

Prate XLVII. n.

THE ALPINE or DELTOID WOODSIA (Woopsra arrixa).

WOODSIA, R. Brown.

4 at the margin in inted
incurved over the роте
simple or forked.

W. ашта; fronds lincar pinnate, lot scaly; pinne triangular, or

triangular-ovate, pinati е lobes roundish obovate, nearly
or quite en

very slightly hairy

Caudee short, subglobose or oblong, forming a small erect or decumbent crown, furnished with a

le brown. РЙ

s dark brown, wiry, smooth, brane

an inch to two inches

pale reddish

m the base, which is adherent, sparingly furnis

Rachis

one-third of its

membran; lightly coloured, and very sparingly furnished with pale narrow

lino, pinnate, Pinne

ilar-ovate, obtus very shortly stalked, ріш t, the distan

varying from three-cighths of an inch in the smaller plants to t re vigorou:

If an inch
ones, the pinnw about one-fourth of an inch long in medium-si

THE ALPINE OR DELTOID WOODSIA

in the lar sely placed ; all semi-patent or nearly horizontal, Lobes five

to seven, roundish obovate, largest at the base, the lowermost sometimes divided nearly to the midvein,

шеші and the apex, in the most vigorous specimens, notched so as to indicate

the upper on

s entire or obscurely erenate, furnished with a few seattered

tubular jointed hairs, and hat

ately branched

Venation of the sisting of a flexuose indistinet midvein, which is alten

the branch s undivided ; both veins and

r reins are forked, rarely mo

Fructifcation on the back of the frond produced on all parts of the frond, bi
copiously in the upper part, the sori situated below the apex of the venules, hence medial, and often at

length confluent over the lobes. Sort eirenlar, seated within, that is above, a small membrannecous seale

whose margin is fringed with jointed hairs which curvo inwards involving the spore-cases; hence they

are involuerate, Spore-cases roundish-obvate, Spores brown, round or roundish-oblong, the surface

Duration, The caudex is perennial, ‘The fronds are annual, growing up in spring and perishing

scies has been drawn up from a series of remarkably

ins in Perthshire, by Mr. J. Т. Syme, No

the n

fine specimens, collected dalbane mount vele

one would think, need be moro distinct than this is from Woodeiz ееп, from which the eye or

acquainted with it, readily dissociates it, Tt is a smaller, narrower, and smoother-looking plant than

that species; and though w

y the excitement of the artificial conditions imposed on it in a state of

culture, it does sometimes seem to nequire greater breadth and leafiness, so to speak, than is observable

in the wild specimens, yet the proportion and general features of the plant remain unchanged. It is

much more like the W. glabella, a native of North-West America, but that is still more narrow and
slender.
Our own experience of the cultivation of the Woodeia: ren in the Handbook of British Ferns

p. 70) from which we quote the following

The Woodsias are best cultivated in moderate-sized well-drained pots, kept in a cold frame, facing

the north during the summer-season, and should not be kept constantly el

ed wp. They are very

impatient of sunshine and stagi v advantageously

ant moisture, ‘The erown of the plants may in pottin

elevated a little between two or three small pieces of sandstone, "Ihe lamp,

t not be kept to

especially during winter. A shady shelf in a cool greenhouse where there is а free circulation of air

ог a dryish cold frame, are good situations in which to preserve them during the dormant, season.

When it becomes necessary to divide the tufts, which is the most ready means

propagation, it sl

be done very carefully in spring about the time they commence their seasonal growth. In

obtaining plants from their wild habitats for the purpose of cultivation, as with most other of the rare

its are much more su

Forns, it is found that small pl «fully transplanted than the larger and
older masses

Mr. Newman recommends potting with thin pieces

f porous stone placed vertically as high as the

pot, the roots to be carefully arranged among the central pieces, and then covered with a finely-sifted

соуей leaf:mould, silver sand, and peat, used nearly dry, shaken down and watered, the

mixture of d

process being repeated, if nec interstices are filled up. We should pref

light loam and sand between the

and this coincides with the experience of Mr. Wollaston, Ме, Backh

use hints that the less repotting

or disturbance at the root they are subjected to, after being once planted, the better

Prae ХҮШ.

THE EUROPEAN BRISTLE

TRICHOMAN

Linneus.

«d within extra-mar

al tubular or urn-shaped incolucres,

Which are of the same texture as the fr

Spe bliquely
о columnar recepta

mp

ied

* disunited at their

extremities, simple or fo

Т. Rapieaxs; fronds pellucido-membranaccous, ov
өзү

» and the upper part, or the whole

linear, entire or obtusely bifid

vlri-pinnatifid ; the rachis everywhe

winged ; ultimate segmen
rial, ly two-lipped,
nents, more or less margined or winged ; caudex long, creeping, tome

res еуін itary in tho axils of the upper

Var. Axpeewst; fronds narrow lanccolate-ovate ; primary divisions narrow, and, as well
as the secondary, distant ; involueres immersed ; receptacles much elongated

FERN (TRICHOMANES RADICANS).

ТИЕ EUROPEAN BRISTLE FERN

Rhizome black, creeping, elongated, tomentose, with small thick-set articulated dark-coloured jointed

hairs, Fibres black, stout, branched, densely tomentose

‚om one-fourth to one-half the entire length of the frond, terete, margined

us wing, which is sometimes continued nearly to the base ; lateral

niheront to the rhizome ; the base clothed with articulated hairs. Rachis everywhere winged.

Vernation eireinate

Fronds six to twelve inches or more in length ; pellucido-membrannecous, dark olive-green ; darker

when dry, quite smooth ; ovate-lanceolate, or triangular-ovate, more or less attenuated at the apex

tripinnatifid, or quadripinnatiid, Primary divisions (pinnw-tike segments) ovate-lanceolate ; the

т; the ultimate lo

hblique о

secondary ones ovate, obtuse, cuneate at the base ; the tertiary one

oblong, toothed, the teeth short linear, entire, emarginate, or bifid, In highly developed fronds of the

yular form the secondary divisions are often longer and comparatively narrower, and the ultimate

divisions are more distant, The teeth at the apices of each series of divisions are frequently more
elongated.

Venation consisting of a series of forked ramifications of the wiry ribs, which issue alternately from

ıs ; these are everywhere bordered with a pellucid wing

the main rachis and enter the primary divi

osely cellular texture. The lowest anterior branch or veinlet of these veins in the ultimate
egments is, in the fertile fronds, continued beyond the margin, and forms the receptacle ; but in the
barren portions tho apices of the veinlets do not quite reach the margin.

Fructification scattered over the fronds, extra-marginal, бе, the tubular involueres are projected

outwards from the margin, the openi sting of sessile spore-cases, clustered

around the base of the filiform receptacle, which is free within the involucre, with its apex more or
супа

supra-axillary, that is, produced in the upper axils of the (ultimate) lobes, more or less sunk in the

drical, cup-shaped, somewhat tapering below, of

less projected beyond it. Zaroluer n exteriorly,

арех of one of the lobes or teeth, the mouth sometimes slightly spreading, or shortly two-lipped.

Spore-cases sessile, oblique, latero-vertically compressed, roundish or obovate. Spores irregularly

mdish or oblong, sometimes three-cornered, minutely papilloso

Duration. The rhizome is perennial, The fronds aro also persistent, enduring for many years

if not injured ; they are at least two years arriving at the fertile state
ji

‘The pellucid, moderate-sized, much divided, yet not pinnated fronds of this species, produced from
ther British Ferns, There

a creeping rhizome, suffice to distinguish this plant from aes кый

forms or states of it met with in Ireland. One in which the fronds aro ovate-Ianceolate, with the

segmenta broader (Prate XLVIIT a.) most nearly according with 7. radicans of Swartz, as illustrated

by Hedwig. Another, more triangular in outline, the segments appearing narrower (Pare XLVIII n),

seems to represent the Z. speciosum of Willdenow. A third with the fronds narrower and more

lanceolate, the primary divisi ow, and, as well as the secondary ones, more distant or distinet

(Pars XLVII 0), is the 7. Androrsir of Newman, and is analogous to many of the tropical forms,

In cultivation th should be fixed to a firm and durable medium, for

тег requires that its rhi

one, or earthenware, or brick are most suitable; and this must

be kept constantly moist with trickling water, The rhizome then, as it grows, attaches itself in

the manner of ivy. То induce this growth of the rhizome and also a healthy growth of the fronds, а

constantly damp atmosphere is essential; i

sd the fronds themselves should be almost constantly

DP cl

NRT, TEE

Trichomanes radicans

Pare XLIX. А

THE TUNBRIDGE FILM FERN

(Нумехортилам TUNBRIDGENSE).

HYMENOPHYLLUM, Smith,

Clusters of Spore-cases enclosed within extremar

ginal two-valvel &ub-urecolate
involueres, of the

Bpore-cases obliquely compressed,

with a transverse around the columnar receptacles, bursting verti
cally, Receptacles (extea-marginal extensions of the veins) free, and included
within the involueres, sub-clavate. Veins disunited at their extremities, simple

Н. roxsnmncense: fronds p membranaccons, ovate or oblong more or less elon-
gated, pinnate ; pinnze subvertical, pinnatifid, decurrent, forming a wing to the

segments linear, undivided or bifid, and, as well as the upper margin
of the roundish valves of the axillary solitary
spinulosely serrate

‘ome rigid, filiform, dark-brown, creeping, branched, and formi

x dense entangled earpet-like

les. Fibres

masses; furnished about the base of the fronds with a few hair-like

from one-third to one-half the length of the frond, often
Stipes slender, wiry, terete, varying fi 1 1 f th à

slightly margined or winged in the upper part ; lateral at intervals

adherent, 4t

THE TUNBRIDGE FILM FEI

Fronds smooth, pellucid-membranaceous, minutely cellular, dee metimes brightish green,

ar or five inches long, varying in outline, usually ovate, lanceolate-ovate, or oblong, mo

at the b the larger fronds, a narrow entire wing to the rachis ; distich

mboid in circumscription ; fureately bipinnatitid, that is to say, twice

ions alternating, and so placed

divided with the ramifications on dichotomous or forked plan, the di

nterior side from the medial or axial vein (which

Ultimate segments Vinear-obtuee, spinulosely serrate.

may be recognised), curving upwards.

Venation consisting of a series of dichotomous ramifications (two or three-times repeated) of the

ne of these

nately from the main rachis, each ultimate segment having

wiry ribs which branch alt
x. Thus the fronds might be said to

divisions along its centre, and not quite reaching to its a
тей with a delicately cellular pellucid:

consist of slender branching wiry ribs everywhere I

menibranaceous margin,

fi two valved

Fructification usually produced in the upper half of the

exterior, Sort consisting of

outwards fe ening bo

clustered around the receptacle, Receptacle formed of the altered apex of the

west anterior vein of the pin

а, spongy, oblong-clavate ; free, central and shorter than the valves of the

involucre, therefore included. Znrofueres sessile, supra-axillary, i. е, borne in the axils of the pinnas or

imewhat inflated, cuneate and more or less sunk in the

primary divisions, short, с

apre

segment; the anterior part two-valved, the valves semiorbicular, flatish, spinulosely serrate at the upper

margin. Spore-cases sessile, affixed obliquely, vertically compressed, thus lenticular, with a transverso
ring. Spores minute, irregularly oblong, or triangular. Normally the lower anterior branch of the

pinn only is fertile, b nes one or more others are also soriferous,

аге also perennial, growing up in the course of

Duration. "The rhizome is perennial. The frond:

the summer, attaining their fall growth during the season, but enduring two or three years under

favourable eireumstancen

‘The two British Mymenophyllums, may be known from other Ferns by the matted growth of their

thread-like rhizomes, by the small size, the pellucid, and finely cellular texture of their fronds, whose

fications, They may be

segments have each only a central rib, and by the two-valved marginal fruct

involueres and of their valves ; for although they may

best known from each other by the form of

1 by a practised eye by their peculiarities of growth, yet these latter are

probably always bo recogni:

not features to be generally depended on, In Z7. tunbridgense the valves of the involucre are roundish

nnd flattish, and the upper margin is spinulosely-serrate, like the margin of the segments of the pinna:

aterale the valves are ovate and convex, and the margin is quito even. In the former

whilst in Ж. uni

the involueres are usually sessile and erect ; in the latter stalked and deflexed in an opposite direction

ments. No varieties of importance have been observed in the British Hymenophyllums.

to the

ave

Y Ж

1. 72 224

|
К
A
Nt!
М)!

2

»

A. Hymenophyllum tunbridgense . B. H.unilaterale.

WATS PL
NATURE PRINTING

Prate XLIX. в.

WILSONS, or THE UNILATERAL FILM FERN

(HIYMENOPHYLLUM UNILATERALE).

HYMENOPHYLLUM, Smith.

Clusters of Spore-eases enclosed within extra-marginal two-valved sub-urecolate
tho samo texture as the frond.
ile around the columnar receptacle, bursting verti-

cally. Receptacles (extra-marginal extensions of the veins) free, and included
within tho involueres, sub-l Veins disunited at their extremities, simple

or forked,

Н. unttatenate: fronds pellucido-membranaceous, pinnate, oblong-elongate or linear

Шу deeurrent forming

pinna» decurved, sub-unilateral, digitately pinnatifd, sligl
art of the rachis ; segments lincar, undivided, or

а narrow wing in the upper
involueres axillary, solitary, stalked, ovate, inflated,

bifid, spinulosely serrate
the valves entire

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

g, branched, and forming dense entangled masses

Rhizome rigid, filiform, dark brown, creeping,

few hair-like scales about the bases of tho fronds, Fibres slender, downy.

Dearin

i frond, often less ; distant

ink

Stipes slender, wiry, terete, varying
Stip У

‚al on the rhizome, and adherent to

Vernation circinate.

THE UNILATERAL FILM FERN

Fronds smooth, ређи accous, minutely cellular, dark green, from one or two, to five or

te-oblong, pinnate, Pinna decurrent in the upper part

and there forming a narrow wing to the rachis; distinct below; curved backwards, subunilateral

weds otomously forked,

without an axial vein, the segments the anterior si

Ultimate segments linear, obtuse

spinulosely serrate, Luxuriant fron deney to become branched.

vo or three dichotomous ramifications of the wiry ribs, which branch alter

nately from the main rachis; each ultimate

ament having one of these branches along its cent
not quite reaching to the apex

Fructification produced on the upper parts of each annual growth, extra-marginal as im
il

H. tunbridgense. Sori consisting of cases, clustered around the short

veptacle, Jt

p

tacte freo, central, sj т than the valves of the involucre, Zneolueres

agy, oblong, elub-shaped, sh

supra-axillary, more or less ob stalked, curved forwards, i. e. in a direction opposite to that of

the segments; inflated, two-valved, the valves ovate-oblong, strongly convex, and quite entire at the
edges, which aro at first closed, but at length become Spor sessile, vertically com
pressed, thus lenticular, obliquely affixed. Spores minute, irre In some instances,

especially where the frond becomes branched at the apex, numen

H. tunbridigen

nents, but

usually they are confined to one on each pinna, next the rach

Duration, "The rhizome is perennial. The fronds are perennial, enduring for two or three years,

or more, renewing their growth annually, as occurs in Lycopodium annotinum,

We are indebted to Mr, F. Clowes, of Windermere, for the interesting observat

т that the fronds

of this species of Hymenophyllum resume their growth after the first year, unlike those of J. tun-

bridgense, which complete their growth in or

Mr. Clowes gives the following account of his

observations :—“1

а largo plant of IZ t and of JI. unilaterale, which were put into
п case in March, 1854. Both are growing vigorously. But I remark that all the fronds of 7. tunbrid.

gense are annual—T mean, they come up in spring, bear fruit more or less, persist more or less, but

never grow more than one year. ‘Those of M. unilaterale, on the

year. A great number of the fronds which were on the plants when placed in the case went on

growing, bore fruit at or near the extremity of the fronds that year

bore fruit, and are doing the same this year (1850), so that

me {то inches long, and

wide in proportion. This is not the effect of cultivation, as the wild plant does exactly the same—

nously in faet, but without distinet marks between the growths.

The cultivation of the Film Ferns is an object of much interest to the fanciers of British Ferns,

The plants require a glass covering to preserve about them a const

ould be maintained about their roots, These are their main

id it matters little how they are applied, whether in a W

common bell-glass. We learn from Mr. Clowes, wh

success is evident from his remarks already

quoted, that the bell-glasses ou
ass, Until he

with but little success.

а small apertures, as vonts, near the top of

the gl pted this expedient, his efforts to cultivate the Film Ferns were attended

m

THE ROYAL, or FLOWERING FERN

(OSMUNDA кесил).

OSMUNDA

Linnaus.

Clusters of Spore-oases naked, densely clustered on contracted rachiform portions of

the frond, forming (in the British species) terminal panicles of nodulose spikelets,
Spore-caser large, stalked, reticulated, subglobose, two-valved, opening verti

cally, the transverse ring rudimentary, Veins forked; venules disunited at
their extremities

0. взоаца: fronds bipinnate; pinnules oblong, nearly entire, dilated, and more ог

less aurieled at the baso, (rarely tripinnate)
branched panicles at the apex of the fronds.

spore-cases clustered in twice

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

Caudez stout, firm, growing in tufts, dark-c

often

aining an elevation of two feet or more. Fibras m

‘Stipes nearly or quite as long as the leafy part of the frond; and as well as the rachis succu

lent, tinged with red, and clothed with loose decidu

ıs pale-brown cobwebby wool when young; firm,

terete, somewha
smooth, and pale green when mature ; tero

fattened in front, the base dilated, with a

membranaceous margin, Secondary rachis channelled and margined in fr

Vernation eireinate

Fronds mamerons, terminal and adherent to the caudex ; erect, or sometimes arching ; variable in

height, two to four feet in more exposed and drier localities, six to eight or even occasionally ten to

twelve feet in very damp sheltered spots ; membranaccous, sm

oth, bright yellow-green, paler beneath

THE ROYAL, OR FLOWERING FERN

ы е; some entirely barren, others having several of the

udly-lanceolate, bipinnate, occasionally tripinn:

upper pinnae transformed into a terminal fertile panicle. Pinna (sterile) nearly opposite, lanceolate or

sessile,

iecolate, impari-pinnate, distant. Pinnules opposite or alternate, one to two inches lo

slightly faleate, rounded or somewhat dilated at the base

oblong or oblong-ovate, obtuse, someti

especially on the posterior side; sometimes distinctly aurieled, occasionally deeply lo

with the lobes separated ; the terminal ones, which aro more acute than the rest, usually lobed at the

base ; the margins are obscurely erenated, or sometimes ser

IT nearly opposite eins, which

of a stout midvein

are forked once near their base, and again once or twice before reaching the margin in which they arc

lost; they are parallel and slightly curved.

Fructifcation consisting of the upper pinnas (usually wholly, sometimes only in part) changed into a

bipinnated panicle of contracted rachiform eapsuliferous divisions, Each short spike-like branch of this

panicle represents one of the pinnules, the spore-cases being collected on it into little more or less

evident nodules ; each of these nodules corresponding to a fascicle of the veins. This is quite evident

in the case of the partially transformed pinnules. Spore-cases subglobose, reddish-brown, reticulated,

Iy-stalked, tw

valved, opening vertically. Spores smoothish, globose ovate or oblong,

Duration. "The caudex is perennial, ‘The fronds are annual, growing up very rapidly early in

Мау; the panicles reach maturity early in summer, and soon decay, and the fronds themselves are

destroyed by the autumnal frosts

‘This, the most stately of the British Ferns, well deserving the striking name assigned to it, is at once
known from all other native species, by its entirely fertile panicle terminating the otherwise leafy

fronds. "There is moreover abundant technical distinction, in the structure of its spore-cases

Tt is a very handsome plant at all times, but especially beautiful when, in very luxuriant growth,

its fronds loaded at their tips by the fertile panicles are bent down gracefully until they almost reach

the surface of the water by the side of which they are growing, Hence it should always find a place in
cultivated collections. It is of easy culture, requiring much moisture, and preferring а peaty soil. Dy
b

the Osmunda would find itself at home; and no special culture would be necessary. Like most other

the margin of Jakes or streams, or at t of a rockery abutting on an artificial bog or pool,

ferns it grows finest in sheltered places. It is increased by dividing the tufts; but it is by far the best

plan in planting such species as the present, to procure vigorous masses from the localities where they

———

regalis.

Osmunda

PRINTING.

NATURE

Prarz LL a.

THE COMMON MOONWOR!

(Borrycurom LUNAR).

BOTRYCHIUM, Swarts.

Clusters of Spore-cases naked, clustered on and entirely occupying a contracted branch

of the frond, forming a panicle of secund spikelets, Sporc-eases lange, sessile
globose, biscrial, fle not reticulated, and without a ring, two
valved, opening vertically. Veins Aabellato-furcate ; renules disunited at their

B. Lusana; fronds solitary
fan-shaped, with the me

ron branch oblon
n jagged or erenate

pinnate, the pinne Ішіме or

доданы, Levant, incu, us Риме

о Nese Bald

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

Corm-like Crown forming a small scarcely thickened wiry-rooted descending axis (rhizome, Presl),

terminated by a bud or growing point, enclosed by brown membranaceous sheaths. Roots stontih,

fleshy, brittle, branched, growing in an irregular spreading manner from about the crown ; and also

branching in a subverticillated way from the perpendicular axis beneath the crown, When at rest

the plant consists of this crown or bud, or growing point, seated among the wiry roots, en

7 and encased by membranaceous sheaths the remains of the
the incipient or rudimentary fronds, and m heath

former fronds

THE COMMON MOONWORT

Stipes етей, smooth, cylindrical, hol alent, having two or three vaseular bundles embedded

in its tissue, its base surrounded by long brown sheaths, which are doubtless the persistent bases of
former fronds ; about half the height of the entire frond ; dividing at top into two branches, of which
оле is leafy, the other fertil

D

nation plicate, or folded straight, the fertile branch clasped by the sterile

ms from three to eight or ten inches high, firm, stout, fleshy. Sterile branch smooth, dark

glaucous green, pinnate, Pinn four to six or seven pairs, flabellate or Iunate, the margins nearly en

or somewhat erenate, or more or less lobed; sometimes partially fertile. Fertile branch pinnate or

bipinnate ; the narrow rachiform spikelets (whether answer

to pinn or pinnules) fleshy, flattened
and bearing on the face towards the sterile branch a double row of erect spore-cases, so that these
spikelets are secund, and they are moreover more or less incurved, or subereet. Sometimes more than.
‘one fertile branch is produced, and occasionally spore-cases occur on the edges of the barren pinna:

Venation of the barren pinnae flabellato-fureate, i: e. the vein enters at the base, and becomes forked

over and over again until the whole space is traversed by the contiguous slightly radiating veins and

venules that do not extend quite to the margin.

Fructification occupying the flattened rachiform divisions of the separate fertile branch of the frond.

oro-eases sessile, standing егесі б.е at a right angle t

each of these segments near the margin; smooth, spherical, without apparent rings or reticulations,

bursting transversely, golden brown when mature, Spores smooth, roundish, oblong or angular

«coloured.

Duration. The erowns and roots are doubtless perennial, The fronds are annual, growing up in
April or May, and becoming fully grown in June, afterwards gradually drying up and perishing with

the summer's droug

The ordin

state of the Moonwort may be known by the double row of fan-shaped pinna whieh

form the sterile branch of its frond. It is a plant not casily distinguished from the herbage among.
which it grows, and on that account is probably often passed over without recognition,
The variety rutaceum, which is perhaps entitled to specific rank, differs in its broader triangular

twico-divided bı

т branch—as though the form of the fertile branch were transferred to the barren

and by the li

ar form of the secondary divisions. It is reported to have been found ne
а

specimen, Though the Æ. rutaceum is by no means an unlikely plant to occur in G

Buxton in

Derbyshire, and on the sands of Barry near Dundes, but very sparingly. We have not seen

ain, the fact
of its occurrence must, as yet, ho regarded as doubtful

No very marked success has been met with in cultivating tho Botrychium. Mr

doubtful, as the plants have been dug out with the

utmost care without any trace of adhesion to the roots of surrounding plants being discovered. ‘The

difficulty of growing it, is probably after all ch

fly owing to the almost unavoidable fluctuations o

moisture to which artificially-cultivated plants are subject, and which, judging from the natural sites іш
which this plant grows, it is unable to bear. ‘The best chances of success are to dig up the plants

while growing with sods of the natural soil large enough to enclose the roots uninjured, or to take them

with less soil at the dorm

nt period, the position of the plants having of cour

e been previously
marked ; in either case to plant them in considerable masses of soil, n

le up so as to imitate that

from which they were taken as closely as possible, whether it be sandy

loam or an unctuous peat, in

both which they ocew

Care must bo also taken to keep the s

1 cool, and moderately as well as equ

bly

moistened. The plan of transplanting at the dormant period is certainly most in accordance with

theoretical notions of success; and probably the shade afforded by other herbage such as grass, to the

f the soil, would be found beneficial to the plants

N
N Piare LI. в.
THE COMMON ADDERS TONGUE,
(OPHIOGLOSSUM VULGATUM).
N OPHIOGLOSSUM, Linneus,

0. уплати: fronds usually solitary; barren branch ovate obtuse; fertile branch
linear

Cormlike Crown forming a thickened fusiform descending axis (rhizome

bud or gro

1 by a few brown membranaceons sheaths. Д

n a somewhat whorled manner from the crown an
spn

4 under-ground in a s
perpendicular axi s

ike manner, and produ.

exterior to the former fronds, at the apex of the crown

Шо, succulent, usually elongated to about two-thirds the height

of the frond, traver bas

4; divided above into a separate fertile and barren brane

ight, the sterile branch enelosing the

THE COMMON ADDERS TONGUE.

clongate, acutish or obtuse, pale yellowish-green,

branch sm

silo, broadly-ovate or ov

ke terminating а more or less elongated footstalk

Fertile branch erect, consisting of a simpl

which appears erile branch ; spike linear, very slightly tapering

spring from the inner b

upwards. Occasionally more than one fertile spike is produced, but it is very seldom that more than ono

frond is produced from each crown,

Venition of the barren branch consisting of a series of uniform reine (no midvein) everywhere

anastomosing, and forming a series of narrow elongated hexagonal areoles, those towards the circum:

veins (venules) dividing the

horter and broader ; within these aro a series of le

similar form. From the sides of these arcoles, branch, more or less

areoles into other smaller ones

abundantly, short divaricate, free included veinlets, which are usually

the linear spike, which terminates the contract

Fruetification occupying th

branch, Spore-cases smooth, spherical, without rings or reticulations, embedded in a single series in

h margin of the spike, bursting transversely, and then forming gaping concavities which give a

toothed appearance to the margins, Spores verruculate

Duration. ‘The crowns and roots are perennial The fronds are annual, growing up in May

reaching maturity in June or July, and then gradually drying up and perishing.

‘Tongue, with its broad oval barren branch, and linear fertile branch, is so unlike other

The Adder's
‚ns, that it may be at once distinguished by these features. Its simple barren branch docs

British
not present much variation, the principal differences lying between a short broad oval outline, and а

more elongated oval approaching to lanceolate

ит of Presl,

A somewhat. marked variety, however, — 0. vulgatum minus— perhaps the 0. az
me in Orkney. This is а much smaller

(Hochstett, Hb. Azor. Un. п. 165) has been found by Mr. Sy
plant, the barren branches of a narrow oval outline, and the plant reaching maturity in September, at
which period the common form has decayed, The venation is the same as in the common form. The

ne botanists to unite O. vulgatum with

of this plant have induced so

small size and narrow ou
0. lusitanicum, us forms of one species, the plant now referred to being taken as one of principal

connecting links; but this combination is surely carrying the so-called reduction of false species to an

‘unnecessary length, and is at least as confusing as the opposite practice,

Though of similar habit to the Botrychinm, this plant is more readily cultivated. The roots should

oken, in sods of the soil in which they grow, and these should be planted

be taken up without being b

in similar soil, in any moderately exposed situation, where the roots may be moist and cool, but not liable

pla
and in consequence *gardenesqu

їз which seem to derive

to excessive wetness, Loamy soilis generally preferred. It is one of tho

neatness is

benefit from the shade of surrounding het

inimical to it

Lunaria .

А

. Botrychium

=
=
=
=
“
c
Л
=
=
~
=

Ophioslossum vulgatum .

В:

Рите LI. с.

THE DWARF ADDERS TONGUE,
(Оршостоввом LUSITANICUN).

OPHIOGLC

У Spore-eases naked, arranged in а

UM, Linnaeus.
Clusters

lo distic
tracted branch of the frond. Spore-cuses uniserial along each margin of the

s spike, forming а eon-

о, leathery, without reticulations, horizontal, globose, but sunk
in or connate with the spike, opening in two valves transversely to the axis,
Veins (ecostato in British species) uniform, reticulated in elo

sated hexagonoid
areoles, with or without free included veinte

0. тлытаттоти; fronds solitary, or two-three from ench crown
ear-lanceolate, small, thick, fleshy

barren branch linear

fertile branch linear-oblong apiculate

EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE.

с

nike Croen forming а thickened, oblong-fusiform blunt descending axis (rhizome, Pres) the

terminal bud or growing point conical, and enclosed by a few brown membranaceous sheaths

coarse, brittle, fleshy, spreading or de

ing, unbranched, growing irregularly from the axis, one (or
more?) becoming elongated in a st

like manner, and producing a new erown toward:

из extremity

Stipes erect, smooth, cylindric
tip

succulent, one-third to one-half the height of the frond, furnished
with two or three

der vascular bundles, the base enclosed by membranaccous sheathing scales

Which are taper-pointed above, dilated

elow; divided into ме fertile and barren branch or

terminating in a barren frond.

Vernation plicate

Fronds from one to three inches high, thick and fleshy or

colour. Sterile radical fronds (commonly but not always accompanying the ferüle fronds) linear

lanceolate, smooth, tapering below into tho stalk or stipes, Sterile branch of the fertile fronds linear

or more frequently linear-lan

with the fertile branch, spreading,

bluntish, from three-fourths of an inch to one and a half inch long, somewhat elevated at the margins,

THE DWARF ADDERS TONGUE.

broad, fleshy, and flattened base of the spike ; spike linear

piculate, about half an inch long, often rather widened a little above the base, fleshy, and

aring along each margin from three to six spore-cases. А barren frond generally accompanies the
fertile frond, and sometimes more than one fertile frond is produced from one erown
en b

ba

hing, so as to produc ies of nearly parallel venules, which here and there anasto
forming a fow long narrow are There are apparently no fece included вее

Fructification occupying the margins of the spike. Sporr-cases smooth, spherical, without rings or
reticulations, embedded in a single series of from threo to sis, in cach margin of the spike, bursting
transversely s smooth, roundish or angular, pale-coloured

Duration crown and roots appear to be perennial, though it has been suggested that they
are biennial. ‘The perennial character of the plant may perhaps be maintained by the successive
production of crowns, ‘The habits of the whole group Ophinglossacew aro, however, little known. ‘The

fronds are annual, growing up in winter, and fully developed by the middle of January

"This curious little plant, one of the most recent additions to the list of British species, may be known
from the Common Adder's Tongue by its small size, its thick fleshy texture, and the narrow outline
the sterile branch of its frond. The plants average about a couple of inches in height, and rarely
exceed three inches. Tt is an extremely interesting plant; and we think may fairly be allowed to
remain separate from O, eulgatim—unless indeed in the Vegetal t adopt the rule of
combining under the name of a species a lengthened series of widely dissimilar forms, if they happen
to be at all seemingly connected ; a practice, which at the least would be equally inconvenient with the
more fashionable mania for subdivision and separation. As in other simple-fronded genera, the species
are, however, really difficult of limitation.

‘The most successful attempts that have been made to cultivate this little plant have consisted in
taking up the plant, in little clods of soil, and planting them in a compost of sandy loam, which
resembles tho soil in which they naturally grow. Tn this way, the plants may be occasionally preserved
and induced to reappear at the proper season ; but like all the allied species it ean hardly be considered

as a manageable plant in the eultivator' hands,