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ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY
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Agriculture and Human Ecology
AT
Cornell University
JuoAf^ M69
Cornell University Library
I QK 527.N55 1854
X A history of British ferns.
3 1924 000 632 863
U t^-t-^ ■ '■' '-'<
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iistorg of Iritis^ itxm.
LONDON ;
E. NEWMAN, PRINTEB, 9, DEVONSHIRE STREET, BISHOPSGATE.
HISTORY OF BRITISH FERNS,
EDWARD NEWMAN,
MEMBEE OF THE IMPERIAL L. C. ACADEMY,
FELLOW OP THE LINNEAN, ZOOLOGICAL, AND BOTANICAL SOCIETIES,
PRESIDENT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON,
&C., &C., &C.
LONDON :
JOHN VAN VOOEST, PATERNOSTEE EOW.
M.DCCC.LIV.
^
nss
Monographers, come from whence ttey may, have, I think, fair pre-
tence to challenge some regard and approhation from the lovers of Natural
History ; for as no man can alone investigate aU the works of Nature,
these partial writers may each in his department be more accurate in their
discoveries and freer from errors than more general writers, and so by
degrees may pave the way to an universal correct Natural History. —
Gilbert White.
§, iriWe U i\t ^imoxu
an ^uis,
WHOSE MATCHLESS TALENT FIBST ELUCIDATED
f lis fttmljU ^amumnt,
INTENDED TO
IS ERECTED
§K an ^t'ant §,^mixtx.
It is impossible for the candid mind to dwell for a moment
on the fact that Britain produces only about one-fortieth part
of the ferns already known as inhabiting the globe, without
perceiving the impracticability of arranging that fractional
part in anything like a connected series. Select one British
species, CapUlus -Veneris, for instance, and we shall find that
there are at least a hundred exotic species which approach it
more closely than any that occur in Britain : therefore, assum-
ing that two thousand ascertained ferns constitute a connected
chain, it follows that in Britain a hundred links are wanting
at that part of the chain where Capillus-Veneris is situate.
There is still another mode of accounting for some of the
monstrous gaps observable in the chain of species. The
physical changes perpetually occurring in the condition of the
earth's surface, render large tracts of land incapable of sus-
taining any longer certain species which formerly hid the soil
with their luxuriant foliage : we know that thousands of such
species did exist, and do not exist ; but that their history is
preserved for ever in Geology, that glorious book whose pages
are traced by Nature's own hand upon tablets of adamant.
The hypothesis that Nature is compensating her losses by new
vm INTRODUCTION.
creations, requires the recommendation of proof. All our
Floras tell a different tale. The links which once connected
Equisetum to Chara or to Isoetes have since perished, and
no others have heen supplied ; so that those genera stand
alone and insulated, while all around them has disappeared :
just as solitary specks of uninhabitable land, peeping up in
the boundless ocean, are said to testify of a continent sub-
merged. Whoever reads these circumstances aright, will fully
appreciate the difficulty under which those are labouring who
endeavour to build a system of such scanty materials. Deeply
impressed with this difficulty, I have thought it better to
preserve intact the arrangement which I originally proposed,
than to attempt a new one ; at the same time giving an out-
line of a plan which I believe more in accordance with Nature.
It may here be observed, that in the various systems
proposed or indicated by general botanists, as Ray, Linneus,
Antoine de Jussieu, Agardh, Perleb, Dumortier, Bartling,
Hess, Schultz, Fries, Endlicher, Brongniart, Meisner, Adrian
de Jussieu, and Lindley, there is a most evident tendency to
depreciate, or rather to under-estimate, the flowerless plants.
Whether they were called simply " flowerless," as by Ray ;
"Cryptogams," as by Linneus; " Acotyledons, " as by the
elder Jussieu and DecandoUe ; little has been done beyond
the mere change of name. All these authors appear either to
ignore or to disregard the extreme fallacy of divisions founded
on a mere positive and negative. Nothing is more simple than
the division of all plants into those wliich have flowers, and
those which have not : but something more is required, for
positive and negative characters might be made the basis of
the most unnatural divisions.
Cuvier, in his 'Animal Kingdom,' a work unapproached,
perhaps unapproachable, in its masterly and philosophical
INTEODUCTION. ix
grouping, has shown the plans on which all animals are con-
structed. He ignores the positive and negative of vertebrate
and non-vertebrate, and employs positive characters only in
defining his divisions ; these are Vertebrates, MoUusks, Arti-
culates, and Radiates : and a little reflection will convince
any botanist that there are four great divisions of plants,
equally capable of being distinguished by positive characters ;
these are Exogens, Endogens, Acrogens, and Thallogens.
Acrogens, in common with Thallogens, are without flowers ;
" nothing can be found which resembles the stamens and
pistils of flowering plants : " they have usually distinct roots,
stems, and leaves, the two halves of the latter being generally
symmetrical ; these characters serving at once to distinguish
Acrogens from Sea-weeds, Lichens, or Fungi. Interesting as
are the discoveries which Nageli and his followers have made
on the pro-embryo of ferns, and which I had the pleasure of
introducing to the notice of British botanists (Phytol. iii. 613
and 925), their bearing on the diagnostic characters of Acro-
gens has been wholly misunderstood. Abundant evidence
exists that there is in these discoveries no contradiction to
the assertion, that Acrogens, so far as our researches have
extended, are perfectly asexual.
Acrogens are either vascular and Pteridoid, or cellular and
Mnioid : the first including all ferns and their allies, and the
last, all mosses and their allies. The allies of ferns are Lyco-
podiums. Quill-worts, Pill-worts, Marsilias, Equisetums, and
Charas : they have sometimes been called Cryptogamic Vascu-
lares ; but I prefer to define and divide them in the following
manner, which, it wiU be observed, strikingly diffei;^ from the
most popular and most recent arrangements. The division
of the Filicales splits the universally received genera of Pteris,
Polypodium, Asplenium, Davallia, and many others.
h
X INTEODUCTION.
ACROGENiE PTERIDOID^, Pteridoid Acrogens, or
Ferns and their allies, are plants of vascular structure,
but wliich produce fruit without preliminary flowers :
they may be divided thus : —
FILICALES have distinct leaves bearing one-celled
capsules which are encircled by an elastic ring :
they comprise : —
Ehizophyllace^, in which the leaves are attached to
a rhizome or root.
CoEMOPHYLLACE^, in which the leaves are attached to
a cormus or trunk.
OSMUND ALES have distinct leaves and one-celled
capsules detached from the leaves, and not encir-
cled by an elastic ring : they comprise : —
OsMUNDACE^, in which the vernation of the leaves is
circinate and the trunk woody.
Ophioglossace^, in which the vernation of the leaves
is straight and the trunk succulent.
LYCOPODIALES have distinct leaves and capsules
divided by one or more septa : they comprise : —
Maesiliace^, in which the capsules are attached to
the rhizome or root.
LYCOPODiACEiE, in which the capsules are seated in
the axils of the leaves.
EQUISE TALES have no leaves, but consist of an arti-
culated branched stem : they comprise : —
Equisetace^, in which the fructification forms a ter-
minal spike.
Chaeace^, in which the fructification is seated in the
axils of the branches.
It will be seen that the divisions Rhizophyllacefe and Cor-
mophyllacese have a great similarity to those proposed by Mr.
John Smith, of Kew, under the names of Eremobrya and
INTEODUOTION. xi
Desmobrya. I believe the idea of using this character as one
upon which to found a primary division of the annulate ferns
originated with myself, (see Phytol. ii. 373) ; but Mr. Smith was
the first to apply the idea, and to name divisions founded on the
differences pointed out. It must, however, be observed, that
Mr. Smith, in his primary divisions, lays great stress on a cha-
racter which now appears to me of somewhat secondary impor-
tance : I allude to the articulation of the stipes to the rhizome.
My own conclusion, from a careful examination of the species
within my reach, is, that the grand distinctive characters are
these : — First, that the rhizome of the Rhizophyllacese, and
the caudex of the Cormophyllacese, are not the same ol'gan :
that the rhizome is a root ; the caudex a stem : that the rhi-
zome never terminates in a frond ; that the caudex always
does : indeed, that its apex is constituted of fronds undeve-
loped ; its trunk, of the bases of fronds that have decayed.
Secondly : that the growing apex of a rhizome is always in
advance of the fronds ; that the fronds are always in advance
of the growing apex of a caudex. There are two other and
possibly less constant diagnostics : the rhizome of the Rhi-
zophyllaceje is scaly, the stipes naked ; the caudex of the
Cormophyllaceae is naked, the stipes densely paleaceous : the
formation of the fruit of the Ehizophyllacese follows the deve-
lopment of the frond ; in the CormophyllaceEe it precedes it.
In some Cormophyllacese there is a tendency to approach the
RhizophyUaceae : this is strikingly the case in Dryopteris, Phe-
gopteris, and Thelypteris ; but it is only necessary to examine
the growing apex of the rhizomatiform caudex of these well-
known ferns, in order to ascertain that it is always composed of
undeveloped fronds. There is a plant familiar to every one who
has a garden, that affords an illustration of the two modes of
growth, — the common Pyrus japonica. The branches of this
beautiful shrub always terminate in a bud, composed of unde-
veloped leaves ; such branches, therefore, are analogous to the
INTRODUCTION.
caudex of a cormophyllaceous fern : the roots, on the contrary,
spreading horizontally, and near the surface of the ground,
never terminate in leaves, but possess the power of originating
leaves and leaf-branches at any part of their surface except the
growing apex ; and not leaves only, but flowers also : such
leaf-bearing roots are striking analogues of the rhizome of rhi-
zophyllaceous ferns. Could we therefore divide a Pyrus japo-
nica into branches and roots, we should have representatives of
these divisions of ferns : the branches would be cormophylla-
ceous, the roots rhizophyllaceous.
§mm.
Concerning genera, I am well aware that I shall be regarded
as going too far ; and therefore a few words of explanation
seem desirable. In the first place, it must be remarked that
the proposed division of annulate ferns into two primary
groups, by a character not previously employed, and a division
which literally halves such genera as Pol^'podium, Pteris, and
many others, necessitates the provision of a new name for one
or both of the halves thus dissevered. Were it found that
some of the species of Campanula were exogenous and some
endogenous in structure, some alteration must be made, either
in the classes or the genus. From this cause, the genera
Ctenopteris, Eupteris, Lophodium, Grymnocarpium, and Pseu-
dathyrium are proposed : three other generic names are intro-
duced, because the Linnean specific name had been improperly,
as I believe, transferred to the genus ; these are Hemestheum,
Phyllitis and Notolepeum. Lastrea montana and Dryopteris
Filix-mas are respectively the types of Bory's genus Lastrea and
Schott's genus Dryopteris : Lophodium is, I believe, strictly
synonymous with the Linnean species Polypodium cristatum ;
the name is intended as a Greco-Latin version of the word
INTRODUCTION. XIU
cristatum. The numerous species of Lophodium have hitherto
formed part of what might be called the retenue of Polypodium,
Polystichum, Aspidium, Nephrodium and Lastrea, but have
never, as I believe, constituted a genus : it is surprising that
the flat, notched involucre of this genus did not attract the
attention of those botanists who have treated of that organ as
being so important. The other genera are, I believe, generally
received.
Without going back to Gerarde, Parkinson, and that ancient
school of herbalists, it will be sufiicient to begin a summary
of the species of British ferns with Eay's ' Synopsis.' In
this admirable work, no less than forty-eight species are enu-
merated. I omit twelve of them : — 1. Poljrpodium murale,
which, as the editor distinctly explains, is only a variety of
Polypodium vulgare, figured at p. 41. 2. Polypodium Cam-
brobritannicum, the well-known var. Cambricum of the same
plant, figured at p. 45. 3. Trichomanes foHis eleganter inci-
sis, is the variety of Asplenium Trichomanes figured at p. 352.
4. Filix aculeata major, is one of the forms of Polystichum
aculeatum, figured at p. 111. 5. FiUx Lonchitidi afiinis is re-
presented at figure b on the same page. 6. Filix pumila saxa-
tilis is the seedling plant of my Lastrea montana, p. 129. 7.
Adiantum, an album tenuifolium, which Dillenius considered a
variety of Euta-muraria. 8. Adiantum majus Coriandri, &c.,
and 9. Adianto vero afiinis, both of which are forms of Asple-
nium mariuum. 10. Filix lobata, which is a leaf of Anemone
nemorosa. 11. Adiantum nigrum pinnulis Cicutariffi, which I
believe to be the divided and acute form of fragile, represented
in the left-hand figure at p. 87. And 12. Filix pumila petraea,
which I agree with the editor m supposiag a young plant of
XIV
INTRODUCTION.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum. The remaining thirty-six I
retain, and have distinguished them by the letter R in the fol-
lowing list.
In the ' English Flora,' Sir J. E. Smith adds nine spe-
cies : of these I omit four, — Aspidium spinulosum, Aspidium
dumetorum, Aspidium irriguum, and Cystopteris dentata, —
because they appear to me to have no claim whatever to be
mentioned even as varieties ; two, namely, Cystopteris regia
and Asjjlenium fontanum, because they have only been found
on garden-walls : and I retain three, — Polypodium calcareum,
Aspidium cristatum, and Asplenium alternifolium, — under
other names, and have distinguished them by the letter S in
the following list.
In the ' Biitish Flora,' Sir William Hooker makes two ad-
ditions, — Aspidium rigidum and Hymenophylluixi Wilsoni,
— which, under other names, I retain, and distinguish by the
letter H in the following list.
In the various editions of this work I have added nine other
species, and these are distinguished by the letter N.
Alphabetical List of Species.
Aculeatum, R. t CoUinum, N. t Glandulosum, N.
tAcutum, E. Crispus, R.
Adiantum-nigrum, E. *Dickieana, N.
Alpestre, N.
*Alpina, E.
tAngulare, R.
Aquilina, R.
Callipteris, S.
Capillus-Veneris, R.
Ceterach, E.
Dryopteris, R.
Filix-mas, R.
Filix-femina, R.
Flexile, N.
Foenisecii, R.
Fragile, R.
tGermanicum, S.
Ilvensis, R.
Lanceolatum, R.
Leptophylla, N.
Lonchitis, E.
Lunaria, R.
*Lusitanicum, N.
Marinum, R.
Montana, R.
Multiflorum, R.
INTEODUCTION. XV
Myrrhidifolium, E. Ruta-muraria, R. Tunbridgense, R
Phegopteris, R. Scolopendrium, R. tUliginosum, N.
Radicans, R. Septentrionale, R. *'Uiiilaterale, H.
Regalis, R. Spicant, R. Viride, R.
Rigidum, H. Spinosum, N. Vulgatum, R.
Robertianum, S. Thelypteris, R. Vulgare, R.
t Rutaceum, R. Trichomanes, R.
There is scarcely anything so difficult to define as a species.
We all agree that it has an existence in Nature, but we are at
a loss for terms of definition, that shall be at once sufficiently
restrictive and sufficiently comprehensive. And another diffi-
culty exists against which it is next to impossible to contend,
and that is, the different modes in which different minds view
the same object. No plant ever displayed this difference more
prominently than Foenisecii : some minds look on this as the
most distinct of ferns ; others, myself for instance, regard it
as taking an ordinary station as a species, Hke lanceolatum,
Trichomanes, viride or marinum; others, again, as the learned
authors of the sixth edition of the ' British Flora,' not only
omit it from their list, but feel themselves called on to devote
fifty-six lines of their smallest type to explanations, as though
it must be argued away at any cost of space and trouble. I
will not say that either of these is wrong ; but I do say that
such a discrepancy of opinion on what appears a very simple
question, shows the simplicity is one of seeming only.
Amongst the ferns I have described, there are certain inde-
scribable grades of rank. Those which I regard of the highest
rank, stand in the preceding list without any prefix. A grade
lower than these, are others to which I prefix an asterisk : —
Woodsia *alpina, Cystopteris *Dickieana, Ophioglossum *lusi-
tanicum, and Hymenophyllum *unilaterale ; but all these stand
as established species in the text, without any mark of doubt :
XVI INTRODUCTION.
each commences on a right-hand page, and each has the Eng-
lish name below the figure : the doubts respecting these four are
expressed in the text. A grade lower stiU in the scale of im-
portance are seven others, which are distinguished by a dagger :
these are Asplenium tacutum, Polystichum fangulare, Lopho-
dium tcollinum, Amesium tgermanicum, Lophodium fglandu-
losum, Botrychium trutaceum, and Lophodium fuligiaosum :
these are distinguished in the text by a dagger prefixed to the
English name, and by the English name always, and a portion
of the text often, preceding the figure. The lowest grade bear-
ing generic and specific names, comprises such forms as Diy-
opteris affinis, Dryopteris Borreri, and Dryopteris abbreviata,
all placed under D. Filix-mas ; Athyrium molle, Athyrium
convexum, and Athyrium incisum, all placed under A. Filix-
femina.
The names of species are intended to be in strict accordance
with the law of priority. Alpina of Bolton is prior to hyper-
borea of Liljeblad ; Ceterach of Linneus is prior to ofiicuiarum
of Willdenow ; Fcenisecii of Lowe is prior to recurvum of
Bree ; germanicum of "Weiss is prior to alternifolium of Wul-
fen ; montana of Vogler is prior to Oreopteris of Ehrhart ;
Myrrhidifolium of ViUars is prior to montanum of Allioni ;
AUioni, moreover, had no right to introduce a second Polypo-
dium montanum : radicans of Swartz is prior to speciosum of
Willdenow ; Eobertianum of Hoifmann is prior to calcareum
of Smith; Scolopendrium of Linneus is prior to vulgare of
Symons, (alas, what a falling off was here !) ; Spicant of Lin-
neus is prior to boreale of Swartz ; and unilateral of WUl-
denow is prior to Wilsoni of Hooker. Botanists will adopt
these names or not, at their option : I endeavour to point out
the right path, but have neither the power nor the inclination
to compel others to take it.
TEUE MAIDENHAIR, {natural size).
Genus. — Adiantum. Ultimate divisions of frond stipitate,
leaf-like, without a midvein : veins variously branched, free at
the extremity : involucre not apparent : clusters of capsules
nearly circular, seated on the reflexed bleached margin of frond.
Species. — Capillus-Veneris. Stipes black, about the same
length as the frond : frond deltoid, lax, irregular : pinnse alter-
nate, stipitate, irregularly pinnate : pinnules stalked, leaf-like,
generally subrhomboid.
Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, Linn. Sp. PI. 1559 ; Lightf. Fl.
Scot. 679; Huds. Fl. Ang. 460; Bolt. Fil. Brit. 24, t. 29;
With. Arr. 781 ; Sm. E. F. iv. 320, E. B. 1564 ; Mack.
Fl. Hib. 344 ; Franc. 59, t. vi. f. 3 ; Newm. N.A.9, F. 83 ;
Hook, and Am. 576; Bab. 416; Moore, 196.
Botanists are agreed on the name of this fern, and the figures
are generally characteristic.
TRUE MAIDENHAIR.
The geographical range of this species is very wide, extend-
ing over the middle and south of Europe, the islands of the
Mediterranean, the north of Africa, the Canary and Cape de
Verd Islands ; and forms so similar as scarcely to admit a doubt
of their identity, occur in nearly every tropical or temperate
country yet visited by botanists. Sir William Hooker, in his
' Species Filicum' (ii. 36), gives the following Asiatic, Oceanic,
and American localities : — " Throughout the East Indies, but
chiefly in damp hilly districts, Malabar, Nepal, Kamaoun, &c.
Assam, Khasya, Boutan, Scinde. Mauritius, Bourbon, Mada-
gascar. China. South Africa, Algoa Bay, Uitenhage. Sandwich
Islands. Throughout the temperate parts of North America,
East and West side. Guatemala. Mexico. Trinidad. Do-
minica. Jamaica." In Britain, it is one of our most local
and most beautiful ferns : it always occurs in moist caves, or
in the fissures of rocks, near the sea-coast, preferring a per-
pendicular surface, whence its delicate fronds grow in a nearly
horizontal direction, inclining upwards at the extremity. It
seems particularly to delight in localities where water trickles
down the surface of the rock.
Cornwall. — I am indebted to Miss J. M. Fox for a living plant from
Carclew, the seat of Sir 0. Lemon, where it grows abundantly. Mr. Ealfs
informs me he found it on cliffs within reach of the sea-spray, between St.
Ives and Hayle ; and Mr. H. 0. Watson gives me St. Tves as a habitat,
on the authority of the Rev. J. S. Tozer, and Carrick Gladden, a sea-cave
in the same vicinity, on the authority of the Eev. Jas. Harris. I have
many other authorities for each of these stations.
Devonshibb. — I am indebted to Mr. Ward for specimens from the
vicinity of Ilfracombe : he found it growing liixm-iantly on the face and in
the vertical crevice of a rook in White Pebble Bay, in a dense mass, which
commences at a height of about twenty-five feet, and descends to witbiu
about five feet of the level of the sea ; he also observed it at Pdllidge Point,
and two other stations in the same neighbourhood. Mr. Edwin Lees has
obligingly sent me specimens from the same localities : he found it in grea,t
abundance in September, 1843 : in every instance the fern was growing in
gulleys of the cliff, where little rills of fresh water dribble down from above,
depositing a travertine sediment. Mr, .J. Buokman, of Cheltenham, has
ADIANTUM CAPILLUS -VENERIS. 8
kindly transmitted Ilfracombe specimens. I have also to acknowledge my
obligation to the Botanical Society of London, for specimens from Ilfra-
combe, collected by Dr. J. E. Gray, of the British Museum. Miss A.
Griffiths informs me it has been found at Watermouth, also on the north
coast ; the Rev. W. S. Here adds that it has lately been discovered near
Brixham, on the south coast of Devonshire, by Mr. Bartlett ; and Mr. T.
B. Flower has recently sent me specimens, gathered by himself at Mud-
stone or Mewstone Bay, near Berry Head, (see Phytol. iii. 51).
Glamoeganshiee. — Miss M. Waring informs me that she obtained
specimens from rocks at Dunraven, in Glamorganshire ; and Mr. Dillwyn
observes that it is common on the cliffs of lias at the eastern end of the
county, but that he has not seen it on mountain limestone, or nearer to
Swansea than Dunraven, (Phytol. i. 183). I have seen specimens from
Barry Island, off the same coast ; and this, as well as Port Kerig, have been
given in all our Floras as localities. The Dunraven station is thus de-
scribed by my brother, Henry Newman, who paid it a visit in 1863 : —
" Let the botanist leave the South Wales rail at Bridgend station, and
walk six miles to Southerndown, a cluster of houses, with an inn, on the
side of the Bristol Channel. Arrived here, let him make for a sandy beach
close to the lodge-gate of the Dunraven estate, where it assumes the form
of a little bay ; following the bank or cliff to the left, and walking along its
base, he will in a few minutes perceive the fern covering the face of the cliff
where a rill comes trickling over its surface, and leaving a deposit of lime,
in appearance and consistence much like cream-cheese : this is very soft on
the surface, but harder underneath : out of this queer substance grows the
Maidenhair, very small in size, very abundant, entirely unprotected, and in
constant motion as the sea-breezes sweep over it."
SoMEESETSHiEE. — " Said to grow at the mouth of an old well at Cleve-
don," — Mr. L. H. Grindon, in Phytol. i. 964. " I found three plants of
this fern growing in the air-shaft of a stone-quarry some thirty feet below
ground, at Comb Down, near Bath," — Mr. E. J. Lowe, in Phytol. iv. 1000.
(Sheopshibe. — In the ' Phytologist ' (i. 579) appears the following
announcement by Mr. Westcott : — " About sixteen years ago I found
Adiantum Capillus- Veneris on the Glee Hill, Titterstone. It was growing
among the stones on the ascent to the group of rocks called the Giant's
Chair. I plucked a piece of it as a specimen, and placed it in my book,
leaving the root. This specimen I kept by me for some time, but at last
it was lost, and of the loss I took no notice, not doubting that the next time
I visited the spot I should again find the plant. However, I have hitherto
been unsuccessful in my researches ; but it would be well if some one would
diligently search for it, and perhaps it may again be discovered.")
IsT.E OF Man. — We find it mentioned in Lightfoot's ' Flora Scotica ' as
a native of the Isle of Man ; but this locality appears to have been little
4 TRUE MAIDENHAIR.
regarded, indeed it had sunk into oblivion, when we were favoured by a
corroborative statement of the fact by the Rev. F. F. Clark, (Phytol. i. 89).
From this gentleman we learn that the locality was rediscovered by Dr.
Wood, of Cork, in or about 1809, and by himself in 1835 and 1 840. In
the latter year he thought it nearly exterminated, but Mr. T. G. Rylands
again observed the plant in Glen Meay, in 1841 : he found young plants
in tolerable abundance, mixed with more mature ones, although it required
close examination to discover the roots when the fronds were gone ; the
finest root was high above a water-fall, and perfectly inaccessible, so that
he considers its extermination highly improbable. I am indebted to Mr.
Wilson for cultivated specimens, from a root brought by Mr. Rylands from
this locality.
(Scotland. — In Lightfoot's 'Flora Scotica ' we find this record : — "Dr.
Sibthorpe, the present most obhging Professor of Botany, at Oxford, fa-
voured me with the sight of a large and perfect specimen of this fern, in
the copious herbarium preserved at the Physic Garden in that University,
to which specimen a label was annexed, with this inscription, ' From the
isle of Arran, near Galloway, from Mr. Stonestreet.' The specimen is to
be found among the ferns. — Lib. 3, p. 3, /. 3." — (Flor. Scot. iL. 079).
This statement is now universally behoved to be an error, and to refer to
the isles of Arran near Galway, on the west coast of Ireland. The other
Scotch station, "by the Carron, in Kincardineshire," given in Hooker and
Amott's ' British Flora ' (576), also appears to be erroneous.)
Ireland. — I am indebted to Mr. Mackay, of the College Botanic Gar-
den, for a specimen from the south isles of AiTan, where he found it in
profusion, growing in small fissures of hmestone rocks, but never rising
above the fissures, therefore varying in length of frond in proportion to the
depth of the fissure. Mr. W. Andrews found it sparingly on the Cahir
Conree mountain, near Tralee; and the late Mr. J. M'AUa, an industrious
young botanist, who resided at Roundstone, in Comiemara, found a few
plants at the foot of a rook facing south-west, on the banks of Lough Bulard,
near Urrisbeg. Very abundant and luxuriant on the coast of Clare, near
BaUyvaughan : " about four or five miles from BaUyvaughan, the line of
shore subsides into what in Yorkshire is called ' limestone pavement,' the
chinks and chasms of this are in some places hterally filled with Asple-
nium marinum, and in others with Adiantum Capillus- Veneris, the fronds
of the latter usuaUy coming up to the surface-level, and measurin» cer-
tainly 16 to 18 inches in length. The station extends westward from Bal-
lyvaughan, round Black flead, to Cremhn Point." — Mr. W. Bennett, in
Phytol. iv. 1120.
ADIANTUM CAPILLUS -VENERIS.
The roots are wiry, black, and fibrous : the rhizoma, or
under-ground stem, is black and scaly, and creeping, though
very slowly : the young fronds make their appearance in May,
are fully developed in July, and remain green till the winter :
the future divisions of the frond are not apparent on its first
expanding ; three or five pinnse only appear, and these, in a few
days, become divided into pinnules.
Although the form of the frond has been repeatedly described
by botanists in precise terms, it must be considered irregular.
The racliis, or principal stem, is throughout naked, shining,
and nearly black ; the branches, or pinnte, are alternate, and
on these are the pinnules, also alternate, and each on a distinct
footstalk : botanists describe these pinnules as wedge-shaped,
or fan-shaped, but they are far from uniform, and often vary
greatly in the same frond. The fronds are generally fertile,
the exterior margin of each pinnule being divided into a num-
ber of lobes, and the terminal portion of these is bleached,
scale-like, reflexed, and bears the capsules of seed in somewhat
circular clusters on its internal surface : this reflexed margin,
and also the situation of the veins, is shown in the detached
pinnule (fig. b), to the left of the cut at page 1 : the veias divide
frequently, and without regularity, and run into the bleached
reflexed portion of the lobe, ceasing before its extreme margin,
and each bearing a cluster of capsules at its extremity ; this
will be seen on reference to the lower figure in the same cut
(fig. c), which represents only one lobe or division of a pinnule :
the reflexed portion, turned back, and showing the clusters of
capsules, is unshaded. When barren, the margins, instead of
being bleached and reflexed, are continued on ^tKA*''!/
the same plane as the disk of the pinnule, are ^"^
sharply serrated (as represented in the annexed
figure), and perfectly green to the extremity :
with this exception, the fertile and barren fronds
are similar. When the frond has passed ma-
turity, and approaches decay, the pinnules of this fern fall oil
like the leaves of phsenogamous plants, the rachis remaining
TRUE MAIDEXHAIH.
bare and leafless, and assuming the appearance of a bunch of
strong bristles.
Mr. Ball, of Dublin, pointed out to me a property which this
fern possesses, when cultivated on Mr. Ward's plan of checking
communication with the outer air by means of
a glass cover : — the lobes of the pinnules be-
come viviparous at the extremities, the seeds
actually vegetating while still in situ, and the
young plants taking root, like parasites, in the
substance of the old one. From a specimen
in which this peculiarity was clearly exliibited,
I sketched the annexed vignette.
The figure (a) at page 1 represents a small frond from Ilfra-
combe, of the natural size : the pinnules are frequently as large
as the figure to the left of the same cut.
There arc three forms of this fern, so different as to have
taken the rank of species.
The first of these is a stronger, more robust plant than the
others, with a thicker stipes and larger pinnules, the stipes is
also distinguished by a beautiful purple bloom : I have it in
cultivation from Cornwall. It is the Adiantum Moritzianum
of Klotzsch.
The second appears to me the normal form, the true Adi-
antum Capillus-Veneris of Linneus. Mr. Wilson, however,
whose oj)inion is of the highest value, appears not to consider
it the ordinary plant. He first invited attention to it in the
' Phytologist ' for March, 1851, in the following terms : —
" I send full-grown fronds of an Adiantum from roots which
have been in cultivation upwards of ten years, and which were
gathered in the Isle of Man, by my friend Mr. T. Gr. Rylands.
It differs very considerably in appearance from the ordinary
form of A. Capillus-Veneris, and may perhaps be a different
species. If compared with the figure in ' English Botany,' it
will be seen that the frond is narrow and oblong, by no means
flabelliform, and the branches, instead of being set at an acute
angle, are widely spreading. The pinnules do not taper gra-
ADIANTUM CAPILLUS-VENERIS. 7
dually into the foot-stalk, and seem to be of quite a different
shape from those of the Arran specimen. The characters pre-
sented by the fronds sent, are constant in the plants under cul-
tivation. I may here mention, that when I received the roots
they were hastily planted in a common garden-pot, and were
afterwards much neglected, until I thought they had quite
perished for want of water. If they had not been more than
usually tenacious of life such would have been their fate ; but
by careful nursing they were saved, and have ever since grown
vigorously in a greenhouse, without artificial temperature dur-
ing the winter. At the time when the roots were first gathered,
the fronds were very small and imperfect." — Phytol. iv. 71.
I have represented the most characteristic of the fronds
accompanying the foregoing communication at fig. d, page 8 ; it
will at once be seen how closely it resembles fig. a at page 1.
This form occurs almost invariably in the Isle of Man, on both
sides of the Bristol Channel, and about the Land's End.
The third form, represented at fig. e, is more lax ; the stalks
of the pinnules are set on at an acute angle, and the pinnules
themselves are more deeply divided. It is the Adiantum dis-
sectum of some authors, and is treated as a variety of A. tenerum
by Martens and Galeotti (FU. Mex. 7 1), and as a variety of A.
CapiUus-Veneris by Sir W. J. Hooker, (Sp. FUicum, ii. 36, tab.
Ixxiv. B). It is certainly a less frequent plant in the British
Islands than the preceding, occurring only on the Atlantic coast
of Ireland, and on the southern coast of Devonshire ; the spe-
cimen figured having been obligingly sent me by Mr. Flower
from Mewstone Bay. It must, however, be observed, that the
British forms, so different in extremes, become nearly united
by others of an intermediate character occasionally found in all
the localities.
The Maidenhair is a beautiful fern in cultivation. It grows
freely in a greenhouse, without any artificial heat beyond that
which the protection of the glass supplies : it should never be
exposed to the rays of the sun. The soil should be a mixture
of loam, leaf-mould, and silver sand, mixed with small pieces
8 TEUE MAIDENI-IAIE.
of sand-stone or free-stone : it may be planted in a common
flower-pot or a cocoa-nut husk : if in a flower-pot, the lower
part of the pot should be filled with a mixture of broken pot
and small lumps of charcoal, and should stand in a feeder well
supplied with water ; if in a cocoa-nut husk, it may either bo
suspended by a wire, or nailed against a wall.
ADIANTUM CAPILLUS-VENERIS.
®0Mmkal l\m.
Sir J. E. Smith has the following remark upon the uses of a
species of Adiantum : — " One species of this genus, A. peda-
tum, is principally used in the south of France to make a syrup,
which, being perfumed with orange-flowers, is called capillaire,
and known by that name throughout Europe as a refreshing
beverage when diluted with water." — Eng. Flor. iv. 308. The
species alluded to must be Capillus-Veneris, and not pedatum,
the latter being exclusively North American. We are told by
Bulliard, in his work on the medicinal plants of France (under
tab. 247), that it is known in the shops by the name of " Capil-
laire de Montpellier," but no mention is made of its use as an
ingredient of the syrup called capillaire, though the author adds
that it is frequently used in medicine. However, the statement
of Sir J. E. Smith, to which I have alluded above, occurs in
the ' Flore Frangaise ' (ii. 549), where it is said to be commonly
known under the names of " capillaire, capillaire de Montpel-
Her, cheveux de Venus ; " and that with it the syrup of capil-
laire is prepared. Dr. Ball, of Dublin, informs me that the in-
habitants of Arran use a decoction of the leaves instead of tea.
The medicinal properties of the true Maidenhair have been
much extolled. Ray, in his ' History of Plants ' (i. 147), gives
a very detailed account of its wonderful virtues, and gives it too
with all the gravity of implicit faith. His catalogue of diseases
curable by preparations of this fern, seems to include nearly
all " the ills that flesh is heir to : " for his information on this
head, our illustrious countryman acknowledges his obligations
to one Dr. Peter Formius, a Frenchman, who really appears
to have considered the plant a universal panacea. Still older
writers also bear testimony to its powers ; and Tragus, after
enumerating sundry of its virtues, boasts of prudently omitting
some of the uses to which it has been applied, as unworthy of
Christian men : (Hieron, 533). It must, however, be borne in
mind, that there is a great want of precision in the distinction
of species in most of the earlier works, and that other species,
more particularly Asplenium Trichomanes and A. Ruta-mura-
ria, were confounded with the present under the common name
ot Adiantum, or, in England, oi Maidenhair ; neither should it
c
10
TRUE MAIDENHAIE.
be forgotten that the boasted virtues of herbs and simples have,
for the most loart, proved fictitious, and many of those, once
most famous, have fallen into utter disuse. Dr. Lindsay states
(Phytol. iv. 10C4) that " it is slightly astringent, and was recom-
mended in pulmonary complaints. Like most ferns, it contains
tannic and gallic acids."
The anonymous author of the ' British Herbal,' a rare work
for the loan of which I am indebted to Mr. Pamplin, after reca-
pitulating its ascribed properties, says, " It would be endless
to enumerate all the virtues of this plant, of which whole trea-
tises have been written : perhajjs the reader may think tliose
already mentioned more than fall to the share of any one vege-
table : however, as it contains a very fine Nitrous Salt, of all
others the most universally useful in Medicine, it may pro-
bably be serviceable in most of the above-mentioned cases,
without any great exaggeration of its virtues, and because the
native salts of plants are best got out of them by boiling, the
form of a decoction seems to be the most proper to take
it in."
GYMNOGRAMMA LEPTOJPHYIjLA.
11
ANNUAL MAIDENHAIR, (natimd mze).
12 ANNUAL MAIDENHAIR.
Genus. — Gyimnogeamma. Ultimate divisions of frond con-
tracted at the base but not stipitate, without a midvein : veins
dichotomously branched, branches free at the extremity : invo-
lucre not apparent : clusters of capsules linear, on both branches
of the vein, and therefore forked, finally confluent, and occupy-
ing almost the entire under surface.
Species. — Leptophylla. Stipes brown, about the same
length as the frond : frond ovate-deltoid, pinnate : pinnte sti-
pitate, pinnate : pinnules stipitate, pinnate : lobes twice dicho-
tomously divided.
Polypodium leptophyllum, Linn. SxJ. PI- 1553; Swartz, in
Schra.d. Journ. ii. 27.
Grammitis leptophylla, Sivartz, Syn. Fil. 23 et 218; Woods,
Tourist's Flora, 424.
Gymnogramma leptophylla, Dcsvaux, Berl. Mag. v. 305 ;
Neimn. Phytol. iv. 914 ; Moore, 62.
Acrostichum leptophyllum, Flor. Franc, ii. 565.
The figure of this fern in Schkuhr (t. 26) is admirable, and
leaves nothing to be desired : that in Swartz (Syn. Fil. t. 1, fig.
6) is good, but represents a weak plant. With regard to the
generic name, I adopt it to avoid confusion ; but in doing so,
must express my disapprobation of the association of such a
heterogeneous group of species as Presl and other authors have
placed under this genus. Neither do I see why the present
species has been separated from Grammitis of Swartz, whose
characters of the genus scarcely differ from those subsequent^
given by Desvaux for the genus G3rmnogramnia, as under : —
" Capsulffi venis simplicibus furcatisve frondis insertee. Indu-
sium nullum. Frondes pinnatse, bipinnatte decompositseque.
Eadices ceespitosfe." — (Berl. Mag. v. 304). The typical species,
L. rufa, has little relationship with that now under considera-
tion, which stands the seventh in Desvaux's list. The name,
however, of Gymnogramma leptophylla, has become familiar to
GYMNOGRAMMA LEPTOPHYLLA. 13
European botanists, and also to botanists in this country, since
I introduced it into the 'Phytologist:' I should otherwise pro-
pose to establish a new genus for this and some alKed species,
under the name of Dicranodium ; believing that the form now
under consideration cannot be naturally associated with the
species which Swartz and Desvaux have severally selected as
the types of their genera.
This species has no mention in the works of Withering,
Smith, Sowerby, Francis, Hooker and Arnott or Babington.
This fern occurs in various and distant but mostly maritime
European localities. Sadler gives Germany, France, Italy and
Spain, as its European countries ; Link gives Naples, Sicily,
and the Morea ; Woods enumerates Brittany, Provence, and
Italy; Schkuhr, Weber andMohr, and Bory de St. Vincent give
Switzerland. I am indebted to my late lamented friend. Col.
Bory de St. Vincent, for the beautiful specimen figured in illus-
tration of the species at page 11, (fig. a); it was collected by
himself on the Alps : and my friend Mr. AUcard, or some of his
travelling companions, met with it in several localities both on
the Swiss and French Alps : nevertheless, Godet omits it from
his 'Flore du Jura.' In Mr. Ward's rich herbarium are exam-
ples from Geusans, from Castel Gondolfo, Lake of Albano, from
Virgil's tomb, near the grotto of Posilippo, and from Naples,
near the Hermitage, all collected by Mr. E. W. Cooke. I have
seen many specimens from the Canaries and Azores. Bory de
St. Vincent found it in Algeria ; and Schimper distributed it
with his Abyssinian plants, bearing this printed label : — "Ad
ripas elatas, locis humidis et umbrosis prope Adoam. d. 19 Sept.
1837." In the New World, it is recorded by Kunze as having
been found in Mexico.
It has long been spoken of as a British fern, and its occur-
rence in the British dominions is now estabhshed beyond a
doubt : but its only ascertained locality is the Island of Jersey,
and it is merely in compliance with the universal custom of
English botanists, that I include the Channel Islands in a his-
tory of British Ferns ; for nothing can be more obvious than
14 ANNUAL MAIDENHAIR.
that the connexion of the Channel Islands with Britain is
political only, and that geographically and botanically they
belong to France.
(Scotland.—-' When I was in Madeira, a lady of the name of Veitch,
whom we knew there, showed me a small dried specimen of a fern which
she had gathered in Scotland, I think in Aberdeenshire, and which was to
all appearance precisely the same as the Gymnogramma leptophylla of Ma-
deira."— Mr. WiUiam Tanner, Phytol. February 1852, (wrapper). " Seeing
in the February ' Phytologist ' the ' supposed discovery of Gymnogramma
leptophylla in Scotland,' I wrote to the discoverer (Miss Veitch) in Madeira,
to ascertain the exact locality of the plant in Aberdeenshire. That lady
very kindly and promptly sent me the communication, of which the follow-
ing is a copy : — ' I have much pleasure in informing you that the specimen
of Gymnogramma leptophylla in my possession, I discovered in a stone
dyke on the high road, on the right hand side, leading from Braemar (Aber-
deenshire) to Ballater, nearly opposite Invercauld House, and, as far as I
remember, where the Highlanders perform their annual feats at the gather-
ing, viz., a rook called the Lion's Face, at the foot of whicli, inclosing trees,
is the above-named dyke.' " — Rev. W. W. Spicer, in Phytol. iv. 600. " I
am not acquainted with Gymnogramma leptophylla ; but if it resemble anj'
of the forms of Polypodium alpestre, I should give the lady who thought
she found the former at Braemar credit for havmg gathered it in the corrie
of Loohna-gar, or some such place, and confounded it with small Athyrium
Filix-fcemina, which grows in the place she has pointed out, along with Cys-
topteris fragilis and a few other commoner ferns. Careful investigation of
her locality for it did not, however, turn up a single specimen of Gymno-
gramma." — Mr. Backhouse, in Phytol. iv 7lf). The specimen in question
has been most obligingly placed in my hands, and is certainly the plant
which I understand as Crymnogramma leptophylla. Of the veracity of the
finder no question can be raised ; but the accidentd transposition of labels
is so frequent, that the possibility of such an occurrence, and the absence
of further evidence, must be my excuse for inclosing the record in paren-
theses).
Jersey. — In the winter of 1852-3, 1 learned from my friend, Mr. Henry
Hagen, that a lady had discovered Gymnogramma leptophylla in one of the
Channel Islands ; but knowing how numerous were the mistakes in nam-
ing ferns, and believing that the specimens had not been examined by a
practised botanist, I reserved the intelligence until my friend kmdly procured
me a specimen (fig. b), and finding there was no error in name, I announced
the fact in the ' Phytologist ' for March, 18.53. (See Phytol. iv. 911).
During May, 1853, I received a number of communications on this sub-
ject, which were thus summed up in the ' Phytologist ' : — " Numerous
GYMNOGRAMMA LEPTOPHYLLA. 15
communications from Jersey represent Gymnogramma leptophylla as widely
distributed in that Island, growing on the banks of exposed lanes having a
southern aspect, more especially in those localities in which the moistened
soil induces the growth of Marchantia, in the company of which plant it
appears particularly to flourish,; it also occurs, but not so frequently, grow-
ing in moss. The principal localities are near St. Haule, near St. Aubin's,
and in several places near St. Laurence. In one spot near the last named
place, it grows plentifully for a considerable distance along a hedge-bank,
extending as far as the bank is exposed, but ceasing exactly where the lane
is shaded by trees." — Phytol. iv. 974.
Mr. Ward writes : — " T was kindly taken by M. Piquet, of St. Heller's,
to the great object of attraction, — Gymnogramma leptophylla. I saw it
growing, as stated in the ' Phytologist,' on a bank with a South-western
aspect, not densely shaded by trees, as is the case in most of the Jersey
lanes, but protected from the direct rays of the sun by the dwarf vegetation
of the bank, which, from the constant oozing of a small stream, is sufii-
ciently damp for the growth of Marchantia, with here and there a patch of
Fissidens bryoides, I was shown two stations for this interesting plant by
M. Piquet, and a third, about a mile from the former, by the Kev. W.
Wait. It doubtless will be found in other localities, as the climate must
nearly approach that of the South of France and of Italy, where the Gym-
nogramma abounds." — Mr. Ward, in Phytol. iv. 1090. " At St. Laurence
and near St. Haule."— M. Piquet, in Phytol. iv. 1094.
The radicles are brown, fibrous, and clothed with fibrillse : the
caudex is a small, tufted corm, slightly hairy at the crown, never
extending itself laterally or increasing by offsets ; it generally
bears two, sometimes three, and rarely four, rigid, erect fronds,
usually about three inches high : the stipes is somewhat shorter
than the leafy portion of the frond, rather stout and glabrous,
and of a pale brown colour : the outline of the frond is some-
wdiat ovate, but usually acutely pointed, pinnate : pinna? alter-
nate, distinctly stipitate, pinnate, their outline somewhat ovate :
pinnules alternate, stipitate, pinnate : lobes again divided, and
the ultimate divisions bifid or trifid, a free vein running into
each : these veins are curved, and are generally capsuliferous
from the fork to near their extremity, the capsules are thus
ranoed in series, which at first are manifestly linear, but subse-
16 ANNUAL MAIDEXHAIl).
quently become amorphous, the crowded capsules eventually
covering all the back of the frond. It must also be obvious,
that the capsules being crowded along the vein, even to its
point of furcation, the mass itself becomes furcate. Fig. c re-
presents a portion of frond from which the capsules have been
removed. Besides these fertile fronds, there are other shorter,
more fragile, more membranous, and infinitely less divided
fronds, with three or four large, flabellate pinnae, which are
either barren, or sparingly seeded. It is strictly an annual
fern; and when the species is raised from seed, the plant
aj)pears to consist, for some weeks, of a single, undivided,
flabellate frond.
The soil used for this fern should be a light friable loam,
mixed with abundance of fine clean sand : it requires almost
constant moisture, and should be covered by a bell glass ; the
Marchantiffi and mosses should be allowed to grow freely in its
company. Some soil from its native locality in Jersey, kindly
given me by Mr. "Ward, has proved very productive ; it appears
to have been filled with the seeds. This fern has long been
cultivated in our greenhouses, and when once established is
diflicult to eradicate. Having observed that this is strictly an
annual fern, it is scarcely necessary to state that the usual
care bestowed on the preservation and division of the corm
will in all probability be unavailing.
_,*!«?.!«#- «^—
BLECHNUM SPICANT.
HARD FERN, {one-fifth the natural size)
Genus.— Blechnum. Midvein distinct, lateral veins anasto-
mosing in a linear series on each side, parallel to the midvein,
and emitting free branches to the margin : involucre linear,
opening towards the midvein : capsules in a linear series on
the inner side of each anastomosing vein.
Species. — Spicant. Fronds of two kinds : fertile fronds
erect, linear, pinnate : pinnge distant, reflexed, narrow, linear :
the lower portion of the stijDes naked : barren fronds j)rostrate,
lanceolate, pinnatifid : pinnte close, flat, broad, blunt.
IB
HARD FERN.
^pffnp^^, |ipws, ^t.
Osmunda spicant, Linn. 82}- PI- 1523; Lightf.
Fl. Scot. 654 ; Huds. Fl. Ang. 450 ; Bolt.
Fil. Brit. 8, t. 6.
Osmunda spicanthus, With. Arr. 763.
Blechnum spicant, With. Arr. 765 ; Moore,
185.
Lomaria spicant (Desv.) ; Smith, Journ. Bot. iv.
166 ; Newm. N. A. 9, F. 89, Phyt. App. iv.
Blechnum boreale (Swartz), Sm. E. F. iv. 316,
E.B. 1159; Mack. Fl. Hib. 343 ; Franc.
47 ; Hook, and Am. 575 ; Bab. 415.
The figures of this species are generally cha-
racteristic, but the nomenclature is very confused,
both as regards genus and species. In the first
place, the genus Osmunda, under which it was
placed by Linneus, is now, by universal consent,
confined to ferns of a very different group ; and,
in the second place, the specific name of spicant
is not in accordance with the general usage of
science, which requires such names to be Latin
(^ words, or words constructed in imitation of the
(v\ Latin language. The latter question may be
summarily dismissed. If we once admit the
principle of changing specific names, in accord-
ance with our own views on the subject,
we shall never have a settled nomencla-
ture ; and, therefore, our adherence to
the Lionean names of species cannot
be too rigid. The name of the genus
tiite?te'?.n,^
V\A^^
r^'WC
(". Fertile frond.
k, l. Barren fronds.
Pinnule of barren frond, showing the venation.
BLECHNUM SPICANT. 19
is a much more difficult matter to settle. I believe that
Withering was the first author who ventured to transfer this
species from the Linnean genus Osmunda to the Lianean genus
Blechnum, an alteration made, according to its author, " in
compliance with the opinion of Dr. Smith and Mr. Robson."
The name thus became Blechnum spicant ; and, ten years sub-
sequently, the change was adopted by Swartz (Syn. Fil. (1806),
p. 115), as regards the genus, and the specific name altered from
spicant to boreale. Willdenow, in his 'Species Plantarum,'
instituted the genus Lomaria, but retained the present species
under the genus Blechnum ; while Desvaux, Presl, Sadler, and
other authors of good repute, referred to Willdenow's new
genus the species now under consideration, and restored the
Linnean name to the species, calling the plant Lomaria spicant.
Immediately after the publication of my first edition, the same
name was published by Mr. J. Smith in the ' Journal of Botany '
(iv. 106) ; and it was subsequently adopted (1841) by the com-
pilers of the Edinburgh ' Catalogue of British Plants : ' but a
careful examination of the characters of the two genera, as de-
fined by their respective authors, induces me to conclude that
they are absolutely identical, and I therefore revert to the
Linnean name, in accordance with the views of "Withering,
Roth (Fl. Germ. iii. 44), Koch (Syn. ed. 2. p. 984), Fries (Sum.
Veg. Scand. p. 83), DeCandoUe (Flore Fr. ii. 551), and Lede-
bour (Fl. Ross. p. 521).
The Hard Fern occurs in every European list, and has been
found in Northern Africa : it has also been recorded as a native
of North America, but I have met with no satisfactory evidence
on this subject; and it is absent from collections which have
been most obligingly sent me, from different localities, by Mr.
Boott, Mr. Lea, and Mr. Oakes. It is almost universally dis-
tributed throughout Great Britain, in woods, on commons,
heaths, and aU uncultivated ground: it is fond of moisture,
and prefers clayey and gravelly soil : on chalk it is rarely met
with. I do not recollect having seen a specimen from the challi
hills of Kent, Sussex, or Surrey.
20 HAED FEEN.
The radicles of this fern are black, tough and wiry ; the cau-
dex is tufted and hairy. The young fronds make their a^ipear-
ance in May : they are of two kinds, fertile and barren ; the
fertile fronds arrive at perfection in September, shed their seed,
and disappear before winter, but the barren fronds continue
perfectly green and vigorous throughout the year. The fertile
frond) represented of half the natural size in the figure at page
18) is erect, linear, simply pinnatifid, and pointed at the apex;
the lower half of the stem is dark purple, smooth, shining, and
naked, but furnished on each side with some minute rudimen-
tary pinnse, scarcely observable without a close inspection, and
having towards the base a few scattered, long, narrow, and
pointed scales: the upper half of the stem has linear, narrow
jpinnse, rounded at the apex, convolute at the sides, and densely
and completely covered with seed on the inferior surface.
I have to acknowledge the obligations I am under to Miss
Beever, of Coniston, for fine Westmoreland specimens of this
plant, sparingly fruited, and to Mr. Jenner, of Lewes, for simi-
hxr Sussex specimens. From these I have been able to learn
more of the venation of this species than appeared possible from
an examination of the usual densely fruited form. In these
specimens the pinnules remain flat, as in the barren fronds, a
circumstance which much facilitates the inquiry. The mid-
vein of the pinna (a a a, page 21) is somewhat sinuous, giving
off obliqiie, alternate, lateral veins (b b h) ; these lateral veins
are united to each other by what may be termed an irregular
longitudinal vein (c c c), running parallel with the midvein, and
nearly equidistant between this and the margin of the pinna
{d d d) ; the union of the lateral veins causes the formation of
a series of what may be termed closed cells (e e e) : on each
side of the midvein, from the two longitudinal veins, arise other
lateral and slightly capitate veins (///), which proceed ob-
liquely towards the margin and terminate just before reaching
it ; to the two longitudinal veins are attached the capsules, in
a continuous series, on that side of each vein which faces the
midvein ; the points of their attachment are indicated in the
lower figm'e, throughout the course of the two longitudinal
BLECHNUM SPICANT.
SI
veins : the capsules are covered by a continuous, linear, white,
membranous involucre, which opens towards the midvein ; these
involucres are represented in the upper figure by the white line
ig g), and the series of capsules appearing beneath them, are
represented by the black line [h h). The fronds from which
the descriptions and drawings were made, are so different from
the usual state of fertile fronds, that the characters are chiefly
valuable as affording a key to the normal venation, which has
hitherto almost eluded our inquiries : yet, furnished with this
key, we find that the same structure obtains, in a minor degree,
in all the fertile fronds.
il f c c c b f c b d c b e h f e d e f
The barren fronds are much shorter than the fertile, gene-
rally horizontal, strap-shaped, and pinnatifid, and have a short
portion of the stipes, not more than a sixth, naked and slightly
scaly.
This fern is very subject to those deviations from normal
form which are so highly prized by many of our most experien-
ced and most successful cultivators. Some of these deviations
in Blechnum spicant consist in a bifid or trifid termination to
the frond, others in the atrophied state of all the pinnas, the
stipes and rachis alone remaining; the former being fringed
with amorphous fragments of the lost pinna. I have to
23 HARD FEEN.
acknowledge my obligation to Mr. WoUaston of ChiseUiurst, Mr.
Gray of Hammersmith, Dr. AUchin of Bayswater, and Mr. J.
E. Kinahan of Dublin, for much valuable information on this
subject. The last-named gentleman has very completely and
ingeniously systematized these deviations, in a paper published
in No. 147 of the ' Phytologist,' and intituled " On the Classi-
fication and Nomenclature of Ferns," (see Phytol. iv. 1033).
The author of this paper proposes that in future " all descrip-
tions of forms of ferns be divided under the following four
heads : — 1. Form, or original type. 2. Subform, or foi-ms
aberrant from some geographical influence, such as climate,
&c., and including what may be called doubtful species. 3.
Subvarieties, or non-permanent monstrosities. 4. Varieties,
or permanent monstrosities." After maturely considering this
system, which the author explains in extenso, I have concluded
that the deviations in question do not imperatively demand a
notice in a botanical work like the present.
The Hard Fern is weU worth cultivating on rock-work ; its
fertile fronds are delicate and beautiful during the summer and
autumn, and its barren fronds bright glossy green and persist-
ent throughout the winter. It likes a stiff clayey soil, and is
almost the only species that succeeds in such a soil ; in loam,
or a mixture of loam and peat, it also succeeds well, but re-
quires more constant watering. When potted, it should have
abundance of air, not liking the confinement of a glass shade,
neither does it fruit so freely when covered as when exposed.
On rock-work it should be so planted as to face the North, as,
in a state of nature, it shows a very decided preference for the
North side of hills.
EUPTERIS AQUILINA.
23
COMMON BEAKES, {one-tenth the natural size).
Genus. — Eupteris. Midvein distinct, lateral veins anasto-
mosing at the margin, forming a marginal vein : involucre
attached to the inner side of the marginal vein, linear, its mar-
gin split into capillary segments : capsules attached in a linear
series to the marginal vein, exterior to the involucre : epider-
mis prolonged, bleached, reflexed, split into capillary segments
and covering the capsules in the manner of an involucre.
Species. — AquhjINA. Caudex a creeping rhizome: stipes
long, erect : frond deltoid, very compound.
Sp0ttpfs, i^mi$, fe.
Pteris aquilina, Linn. Sp. PI 1533 ; Light/. Fl. Scot. 657 ;
Huds. Fl. Ang. 451 ; Bolt. Fil. Brit. 16, t. 10; With. Arr.
765 ; Sm. E. F. iv. 318, E. B. 1679 ; Mack. Fl. Hib. 343;
24 COJIJION BRAKES.
Franc. 55 ; Newm. N.A.n,F. 93 ; Hook, and Am. 575 ;
Bab, 415 ; Moore, 189.
AUosorus aquilinus, Presl. Tent. 143.
Eupteris aquiliiia, Neivm. Phytol. ii. 878 ; Phytol. Aj^p. iii.
It will be seen by the list of synonymes, tbat authors are
generally agreed in giving to this common fern the name of
Pteris aquilina ; but neither its mode of growth, vernation, or
fructification agree with those of the species which Linneus has
placed as typical in his genus Pteris. Eobert Brown was the
first to perceive how essentially the fructification of the com-
mon brakes differed from that of other ferns with which it was
associated under the name of Pteris. Sir J. E. Smith dwelt on
this discrepancy, but appears not to have considered it generic ;
and it seems to have escaped the notice of almost every other
botanist. John Smith — a name I am ever readj' to honour —
gives the weight of his authority against separating aquilina
from the genuine Pterides : he remarks, in the ' Journal of
Botany' (vol. iv. j). 165), " Some observers have stated that the
sori of Pteris aquilina are furnished with a narrow indusium
situated on the inner side of the receptacle, but from my own
observation I cannot consider the slightly elevated fimbriate
ridge which bounds the inner side of the sporangia as being
analogous to an indusium." In my attempt, therefore, to sepa-
rate generically Pteris aquilina from the genuine Pterides, I
fear I shall meet with slender encouragement. It should, how-
ever, be observed, that the genus Pteris has long been disinte-
grated : several marked forms having been separated under the
names of AUosorus, Platyloma, Doryopteris, Litobrochia, and
Cassebeera : while a group, more strikingly heterogeneous
since the abstraction of these divisions, still retains the original
appellation of Pteris. In accordance with established usage,
the name of Pteris should remain with the first or typical spe-
cies, and such others as may be supposed to possess the greatest
number of distinctive characters in common with that typical
species : while aquilina, the thirteenth on the Linnean list, and
perhaps more decidedly remote than either of the others, seems
to require a new name. I therefore propose calling it Eupteris
aquilina, since, although it is not the Linnean type, it is essen-
tially the Pteris of all botanists.
EUPTERIS AQUILINA. 25
Presl, in his 'Tentamen Pteridographise ' (p. 143), has revised
and divided the genus Pteris, referring the present species to
Bernhardi's genus AUosorus : but in this genus he has included
species which scarcely possess a character in common : and,
moreover, the Allosori aquilini, to which division of the genus
the brakes is referred, constitute the third and not the typical
division of the genus, which properly includes the AUosorus
crispus, a very distinct and different plant. It therefore ap-
peared necessary to institute a new genus for the reception of
the Allosori aquilini of Presl.
The brakes is the " Filix femina " of all the older authors,
and the transfer of that trivial name to another species was
made by Linneus, who gave the plant now under consideration
its present appellation of aquilina. However unadvisable the
change may have been at the time, it has been generally adopted
by subsequent botanists.
Figures invariably fail to give a correct idea of this fern, from
the difficulty of reducing it to the requisite size.
The geographical range of this fern can scarcely be ascer-
tained, until we are agreed upon the latitude to be allowed for
variation in a species. Mr. Houlston, of Kew, one of our best
pteridologists, associates under the name of aquilina cognate
forms from all parts of the world. Every country of Europe
furnishes the normal form, as Pteris aquilina ; then we have
three Russian species, P. nudicauHs, P. brevipes and P. taurica;
Africa has its P. lanuginosa and P. capensis ; Nepaul its P. re-
curvata; central India its P. latiuscula ; Ceylon its P. lanugino-
sa ; New Zealand its P. esculenta ; the Sandwich Islands P.
decomposita ; North America its P. caudata ; South America
P. arachnoidea ; the West Indies a form allied to P. caudata ;
the Cape de Verde Islands, the Azores, the Canaries, and
Madeira, different forms, all known by the name of P. aquilina.
Although the whole of these may be referred, without doubt,
to the genus Eupteris, I am not willing to unite them into one
species, on account of the extreme discrepancy in the circum-
scription, detail, and general appearance of the frond.
E
dti COJIJIOX BKAKES.
Tliis is the most abundant of our British ferns ; there being
scarcelj' a heath, common, wood, or forest, in any part of the
United Kingdom, in which it does not make its appearance.
Its presence in great abundance is said to indicate poverty in
the soil; but from its luxuriance when growing in the vege-
table mould of woods, and in highly manured gardens, I am
inclined to suppose that its usual absence from rich cultivated
land, is rather to be attributed to the effects of the plough and
the hoe than to any quality of the soil. It is quickly eradicated
by either of these instruments, and seems peculiarly susceptible
of injury. It appears one of those truly wild plants which fly
from man, and take refuge in wastes and wildernesses. In size
it is extremely variable ; being sometimes scarcely a foot in
height, while at others it reaches an altitude of ten and even
twelve feet. Although it occurs on every other description of
soil, it avoids chalk, and scarcely a plant can be detected on
the South Downs of Sussex. In dry gravel it is usually pre-
sent, but of small size ; while in thick shady woods, having a
moist and rich soil, it attains an enormous size, and may often
be seen climbing up, as it were, among the lower branches and
imderwood, resting its delicate pinnules on the little twigs, and
hanging gracefully over them : under these circumstances it is
a fern of exquisite beauty.
gMtriptton.
The radicles are brown, fibrous, and tomentose : the caudex
is a nearly cylindrical, brown, velvety rhizome, about the size
of a goose-quill ; it is always subterranean, extending itself ra-
pidly in a horizontal direction, it sometimes however descends
deeply and almost perpendicularly, When the London and
Croydon Eailway was in progress, I found, in the New-Cross
cutting, great abundance of these rhizomes in a decayed state,
some of them extending to a perpendicular depth of fifteen feet.
Whenever the fern has stood unmolested for a long series of
years, the soil becomes filled with matted masses of these rhi-
zomes, every portion of which sends up fronds in the spring,
so that acres of land are sometimes covered with a growth of
bracken, a circumstance which has induced Dr. Johnston, in his
EUPTEEIS AQUILINA.
27
very interesting ' Terra Lindisfarnensis,' to describe this species
as " gregarious." The young fronds make their appearance in
May : they are extremely susceptible of cold, and it is by no
means unusual to see the earlier fronds, before their expansion,
entirely destroyed by the late frosts in spring: I have observed
them cut down as late as the 20th of May.
The fronds rise perpendicularly from the rhizome at une-
qual intervals : until they nearly reach the surface of the ground
the stipes only is discernable, the apex being rounded and dis-
playing no trace whatever of a foliaceous portion, (fig. 1) : a
slight and scarcely perceptible indentation does, however, exist
at the point a in that figure ; and the slight projection above
this, better shown at h, in the sectional view (fig. 2), contains
the future foliaceous portion. Figures 3 and 5 represent the
same frond in a state somewhat more advanced, and figs 4 and
6 are median longitudinal sectional views of the same. In all
these it will be seen that the foliaceous part is bent forward on
l^^
the stipes, forming therewith a kind of hook ; a structure strik-
ingly different from that of Pteris tremula, represented at figs.
7, 8, 9, which, although generally held to be closely allied to
aquilina, very clearly exhibits the usual circinate vernation. It
may, however, be observed, that the extreme point of the bent
rachis has a slight tendency to exhibit a curve, as shown in
28 CdirMON BEAICES.
fig. 6 ; and all the partial rachides are more or less circinate,
as shown in the figure at page 23.
There is something very anomalous in the rapid development
of the foliaceous portion of the frond. At a stage, as regards
the stipes, when the circinate frond of Pteris tremula exhibits,
if unrolled, all its pinnae and pinnules, and even the incipient
fructification, that of the present species is a mere indication,
a slight inequality on the surface, and its component parts can-
not he detected under a lens of high power ; yet, in a few days,
we find it has increased and unfolded with such marvellous
rapidity, that in aquilina we have a frond surpassing in magni-
tude that of nearly every other British fern.
The form of the frond is nearly triangular, the base being
somewhat, but not materially, the shortest of the three sides.
The stipes is rather more than half the length of the frond ; it
is green, and rather pilose : the pinnae are pinnate ; the pin-
nules pinnatifid ; the lobes are generally rounded and entire,
but sometimes again divided: the first superior pinnule on each
pinna is usually very small, and, as it were, rudimentary only.
The fronds are almost invariably fertile, but all parts of the
same frond are not equally so. In seedling plants, or those
which occasionally grow in caves, fissures, or on stone walls,
the fronds are smaller, tender, delicate and barren ; the mar-
gins of the lobes of the pinnules are then flattened, and broadly
notched.
Mr. Lees sent me an example of this form, gathered on a wall
near Worcester Cathedral ; Mr. Westcombe another, found on
a wall in the centre of the cit}' of Worcester : it occurs com-
monly on the garden-walls at Deptford, and in one instance
it has established itself on the brick wall of a house in that
town. Mr. Woodward's collection contains a fine example,
gathered by Mr. Pamplm at East Grinstead ; and Mr. Ewing
has, for many years, observed a solitary plant growing on the
wall of the bridge of the castle-moat, at Norwich, the fronds
varj'ing from three to nine inches in length. In these and
other instances, too numerous to mention, the same characters
are always preserved.
The portion of the stipes below the ground is of a dark
brown colour, velvety, and considerably stouter than the por-
tion above ground ; and it closely resembles the rhizome in its
EUPTERIS AQUILINA.
29
general appearance. When this inerassated portion of the sti-
pes is cut through, either in a direct or oblique direction, the
section bears a regular figure, as repre-
sented in the annexed cut, the left-hand
section being direct, the right-hand one
oblique. This figure is by many said to represent an oak tree,
and is called King Charles in the oak ; by others it is supposed to
resemble a spread eagle, hence the specific name of " aquilina "
given by Linneus. From Mr. Francis's ' Analysis of Britsh
Ferns ' (p. 55), we learn that this appearance " was a matter of
notoriety at a very early period. Thus we find," says that au-
thor, " in a most rare little book, entitled ' A Dyaloge or Com-
munycation of two persons devysed or set forth, in the Latin
Tonge, by the noble and famous clarke Desiderius Erasmus,
intituled. The Pilgrimage of pure Devotion newly translatyd
into Englyshe' (no date, supposed to be 1551), is the following
curious passage: — 'Peraventure they ymagyne the symylytude
of a tode to be there ; evyn as we suppose when we cutte the
fearne stalke there to be an egle. ' " Dr. Johnston, in his
' Terra Lindisfarnensis,' says the mark is also compared to the
" impression of the deil's foot ; " an impression, by the way,
with which I am not so familiar as to be able to decide on the
aptness of the comparison.
The frond is killed by the first frosts of autumn, however
slight they may be : it instantly turns to a deep brown colour,
but remains perfectly undecayed, and frequently in an erect
position, during the whole winter.
When fertile, the lobes are incurved or con-
volute at their edges, and their elasticity is so
invincible, that it is very difficult to maintain
the lobe in a flat position, adapted for an exa-
mination of its fructification. The lateral veins,
which are placed either opposite or alternately,
are twice dichotomously divided before reach-
ing the margin, where they are united together
by means of a marginal vein. The accompa-
nying diagram shows the formula of venation
in a lobe which has been flattened for the pur-
pose of exhibiting it more clearly. Attached
to the marginal vein, a a, and extending throughout its length.
ftd COM^niX BRAKES.
is a bleached semihyaline membrane, fringed with a series of
jointed capillary segments. Beneath this membrane are the
capsules, also attached to the marginal vein, and arranged along
it in a continuous linear series, but more abundantly at its
points of union with the transverse veins. Again, beneath this
linear series of capsules, is a second bleached and fringed mem-
brane, very similar to the first. It becomes an interesting ques-
tion, whether both these membranes can be considered analo-
gous to the usual involucre, or one of them only ; and if one
only, then which are we to select ? Eoth (Flor. Germ. iii. 12)
does not appear to have observed the inferior membrane, but
describes the superior one as an involucre originating in an
elongated epidermis. Sir J. E. Smith, although aware of this
inner membrane, unhesitatingly speaks of the outer one as the
"cover," (Eng. Flor. iv. 304). Mr. Wilson, who has most obli-
gingly favoured me with many valuable observations on this
remarkable structure, seems to regard the inferior membrane
as the involucre ; the occasional presence of the superior mem-
brane in the total absence of capsules, proving, in his opinion,
that it is not necessarily connected with fructification. Still,
although I may state that I do not detect its presence in seed-
ling or barren plants, and am therefore led in a measure to as-
sociate its appearance at least ivith the power of producing fruit,
yet I am quite inclined to consider it distinct from a true invo-
lucre, and more analogous to the inflexed portion of the pinnule
in Adiantum and Allosorus, which I have always regarded as
perfectly distinct, although considered an involucre by Sir J.
E. Smith, and all our more eminent authorities ; and although
there can be no question that its presence is connected with
fructification, since, in both these genera, it is absent when the
frond or pinnule is entirely barren : instances, however, occur
in all the genera above cited, in which this inflexed or folded
margin of the pinnule is totally unaccompanied by the pre-
sence of capsules, as pointed out to me in Eupteris by Mr. W.
Wilson. Mr. Jenner, who has most obligingly taken the great-
est pains to assist me in the inquiry, as regards Eupteris, also
appears to consider the exterior membrane as nothing more
than a prolongation of the outer epidermis. The question, as
regards the interior membrane, seems much more restricted.
We are compelled to regard this as an involucre, from tlie
EUPTEEIS AQUILINA.
31
absolute absence of any other analogous part to which, wii,h
any show of plausibility, it can possibly be referred.
I have stated that the margins of each lobe are convolute, so
that the marginal vein and its accompanying membranes, toge-
ther with the series of intervening capsules, are bent over towards
the midvein, presenting an appearance
which I have attempted to represent in
the accompanying figure of the under sur-
face of the apex of a lobe : h h is the mar-
ginal vein in its natural position ; c c, the
inflexed or convolute portion of the leaf ;
d d the superior membrane partially co-
vering the capsules, which are shown at
c e, projecting from beneath it ; / is the
midvein of the lobe. The inferior mem-
brane, although very similar to the supe-
rior, has some points of difference ; each
consists of a disk divided into cells, and a marginal fringe of
jointed hairs or capillary segments, but the disk is somewhat
differently marked. Mr. Jenner has ta-
ken great pains to obtain a view of both
the membranes at once, and has favoured
me with the annexed sketch, the accuracy
of which I have tested by examination.
The marginal vein of the lobe is supposed
to be presented to view edgeways at g, the
capsules having been removed, in order ' ^ ''
to leave the view of the membranes unobstructedj h represents
the superior, and i the inferior membrane.
Varieties.
Mr. Moore has most obligingly presented me with two speci-
mens of this fern which he considers varieties, and to which he
has assigned names and definitions, as under : —
" a. vera ; pinnules for the most part pinnatiiid, or sinuate,
the segments oblong obtuse.
" (3. mtegeriima ; pinnules almost all entire, one or two basal
ones sometimes very slightly lobed."
32 COMMON BEAKES.
I have no fault to find with these definitions, but would ob-
serve, that having commonly found both these, and a number
of intermediate forms, on the same rhizome, I am not inclined
to regard them as of sufiicient importance to take rank as
varieties : dissimilarity in the leaves of the same individual
plant occur, not only in other ferns, but also in ph^nogamous
plants ; they are particularly observable in the mulberry.
€\\ltmt
Few gardeners could be induced to cultivate this fern, other-
wise than in a fernery ; and there it is extremely difficult to
keep it within moderate limits. In a greenhouse it is more
manageable, and, coming up abundantly in peat, and every de-
scription of earth brought from commons, it has a remarkably
elegant and pleasing ajipearance while still small : it is, how-
ever, best to eradicate the rhizomes as soon as the fronds have
assumed the tints of autumn.
In an economical point of view, this is the most valuable of
our British ferns. " If cut while green," says Lightfoot in his
' Flora Scotica' (ii. 658), " and left to rot upon the ground, it
is a good improver of the land : * * it is an excellent ma-
nure for potatoes, and if buried beneath their roots, it never
fails to produce a good crop : * * it makes a brisk fire for
the purposes of brewing and baking. * * In many of the
western isles [of Scotland], the people gain a very considerable
profit by the sale of the ashes to soap and glass makers." Mr.
Bladon, of Pont-y-Pool, in the ' Magazine of Natural History '
(n. s. iv. 242), informs us that " in many of the open mountain-
ous parts of Wales, where it grows abundantly, the brakes is
cut down in the summer, and, after being well dried, is burned
by the cottagers in large heaps, for the sake of the alkali con-
tained in the ashes : when sufficiently burned, enough water
is sprinkled on the ashes to make them adhere together,
when they are rolled into round balls, about two inches or
EUPTEEIS AQUILINA. 33
two-and-a-half in diameter. These balls are thoroughly dried,
and carried about the neighbourhood where they are made, for
sale in the markets ; and they are also frequently kept by shop-
keepers, to supply their customers. The price of these balls
varies, in different seasons, from Sd. to 8d. per dozen. They
are very much prized, by some housewives, for their utility in
the wash-house, in economizing the use of soap. When about
to be used they are put into the fire, and when heated to a red
heat, are taken out and thrown into a tub of water : the water,
in the course of an hour or so, becomes a strong ley, and is
then fit for use." Mr. Hardy also says, that " in some parts of
Berwickshire the ashes were once formed into a kind of pot-
ash, and, with an admixture of tallow, into a home-made soap,"
(see Terra Lindisf. p. 252).
As a litter for horses, " fern " is in great request in many
parts of Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. While wandering
among the mountains of Wales, I have continually met with
sleighs, drawn by a ragged pony, and laden with Pteris by an
industrious Welshwoman : when thus collected, it is not only
used for litter, but is also chopped up when dry, and mixed
with straw or hay, and given in winter to the little horses and
mules kept for working on the tram-roads. In Scotland, par-
ticularly in the western Highlands, I often noticed it in use as
a thatch for cottages ; and Lightfoot remarks, — •" In Glen Elg,
in Inverness-shire, and other places, we observed that the peo-
ple thatched their houses with the stalks of this fern, and fas-
tened them down with ropes made either of birch-bark or heath ;
sometimes they used the whole plant for the same purpose, but
that does not make so durable a covering." — Flor. Scot. ii. 659.
It Avould appear that formerly it was in common use in Eng-
land, for the same purpose ; for by a statute for regulating the
price of labour in England, dated 1349, being the 23rd of Ed-
ward III., we find it enacted, that every tyler or coverer with
straw or fern shall receive Sd. per day, and their servants or
knaves 2d. per day, and their boys l^d. per day.
Lightfoot goes on to say that swine are fond of the roots if
boiled in their wash ; and Mr. Edwin Lees has recorded in the
' Phytologist ' (263), that in the Forest of Dean he saw some
girls carrying a quantity of recently cut Pteris aquilina or farn,
which they retailed at 2d. per bushel. On inquiring the use
34 COMMON BRAKES.
for which it was intended, he was informed that it was exten-
sively employed in the forest for feeding pigs, which are very
fond of it : for this purpose, however, it must be cut while the
fronds are still uncurled, and must be boiled. The slushy or
mucilaginous mass thus produced is consigned to the wash-tub
or other receptacle^ -and in this state it will keep as pig-food for
a considerable length of time. Mr. Lees was informed that it
was found very serviceable, especially to cottagers, as coming
in at an early period of the summer, when the produce of the
garden is generally scanty. Mr. Lees suggests that it might
not be an unpalateable accompaniment to a rasher of bacon ;
but its use as an article of human sustenance is not quite so
questionable as it would be if dependant on this ingenious
speculation. We learn from Lightfoot, that it has not unfre-
quently occurred that the poorer inhabitants of some parts of
Normandy have been reduced to the miserable necessity of
mixing the large and succulent rhizomes of this fern with their
bread ; and in Siberia, and some other northern countries, the
inhabitants brew them in their ale, using one-thu-d of these
rhizomes to two-thirds of malt.
The ancients also are said to have used both the rhizomes
and fronds of this fern in decoctions and diet-drinks, in chronic
disorders of all kinds, arising from obstructions of the viscera
and spleen. Some of the more modern writers have given it a
high character for the same purposes, but it is now falling into
disuse among medical practitioners : the country people, how-
ever, in Haller's time, still continued to employ it for its ancient
uses, and gave it as a j)owder to destroy worms ; they also
regarded a bed of the green fronds as a sovereign cure for the
rickets in children : probably these uses are still in vogue. Its
astringency is so great, that it is used in many places abroad in
dressing and preparing kid and chamois leather. In the ' Phy-
tologist' (iv. 1065), Dr. Lindsay adds that the common brakes
" is very astringent, containing a considerable amount of tannic
and gallic acids ; hence it has been greatly used as an anthel-
mintic." The rhizome, however, is said to be poisonous to
cattle, and to produce the trembles in sheep ; see Walker's
Mam. Scot. pp. 513 and 525.
ALLOSORUS CRISPUS.
35
THE PAESLEY FERN, {half the natural size).
ROCK BRAKES.
€\mdm.
Genus. — Allosorus. Midvein distinct, lateral veins free :
involucre not apparent : capsules in circular clusters near
the extremity of the lateral veins, which are often divided :
epidermis prolonged, bleached, reflexed, entire, and covering
the capsules in the manner of an involucre.
Species. — Crispus. Caudex prostrate : stipes as long as
the frond : fronds of two kinds, both deltoid, and divided into
numerous, leaf-like, stipitate divisions.
Osmunda crispa, Linn. Sp. PI. 1522; Lightf. Fl. Scot. 655 ;
Huds. Fl. Ang. 450 ; Bolt. Fil. Brit. 10, t. 7.
3C PAESLEY FEEN.
Pteris crispa, {Linn. MSS.) ; With. An: 76 i ; Sm. E. F. iv.
319, E. B. 1160.
Ciyptogramma crispa, Maclt. Fl. Hib. 318; Franc. 57; Hook,
and Am. 575.
Allosorus crispus, (Bern.) ; Neivm. N. A. 13, F. 103; Bab.
408 ; Moore, 58.
This species appears to have perplexed botanists greatly as
to the genus in which it ought to be placed. Linneus made
it an Osmuuda ; but in a MS. note to his private copy of the
' Species Plantarum,' he transfers it to Pteris. By a reference
to the preceding list of synonymes, it will be seen that our
British authors, Lightfoot, Hudson, and Bolton, adopt his first
view, Withering and Smith his second.
The figures of this very pretty little fern are generally cha-
racteristic : those in Bolton's ' Filices ' (tab. 7), the ' Flora
Danica' (tab. 496), and 'English Botany' (tab. 1160), are very
praiseworthy. Our old friend, Gerarde the herbalist, seems to
have omitted it altogether, nor can I find it in Parldnson ; but
the ' British Herbal,' to which I have already alluded, describes
and figures the species very tolerably.
Roth makes this fern an Onoclea, associating it with O. Stru-
thiopteris, the Struthiopteris germanica of later writers; his
description of the fructification is admirably clear and correct,
in this respect differing from that of all his predecessors. By
three eminent botanists it has been made the type of a new
genus, namely, by Bernhardi, under the name of Allosorus ; by
Desvaux, under the name Phorobolus ; and by Robert Brown,
under the name Cryptogramma. Of these three names, Allo-
sorus has been adopted on the ground of priority, by Sprengel,
George Don (in Loudon's 'Hortus Britannicus'), Sadler, Presl,
the compilers of the ' Edinburgh Catalogue,' and Babington ;
and Cryptogramma by Hooker and Mackay.
As far as our very imperfect knowledge of fern-geography
extends, the parsley fern is confined exclusively to Europe. It
is recorded in one or other of the continental Floras as a native
of Norway, Lapland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, France,
ALLOSORUS CEISPUS. 37
Spain, Switzerland, Italy, and Hungary : although it grows
abundantly on the Swiss and French Alps, as well as on their
immense shoulders which stretch down into Piedmont, it is,
like Gymnogramma leptophylla, omitted from Godet's ' Flore
du Jtira.' I have seen no corresponding form from the conti-
nent of America, nor have I any evidence of its existence m
Asia, the plant located in Siberia under this name by Kaulfuss,
having been subsequently referred to another species, the AUo-
sorus foveolatus of Euprecht, (Beitr. z. Pflanzeck. d. Russ. iii.
46). The Eussian habitat at the head of the Gulf of Bothnia,
I have omitted as Russian, and inserted as Lapp, adopting the
geographical rather than the political position of the station :
the species is nevertheless liliely to occur in Eussia proper, al-
though unrecorded by the accurate and pains-taking Ledebour,
except as Lapp.
In Britain it is a local rather than a rare fern.
In Scotland it is scattered over most of the oouuties in spots; more fre-
quently ornamenting stone walls at a moderate elevation, than growing on
the exposed summits of the hills : the Scotch localities are far too nume-
rous to particularize.
Descending into England, we find it recorded by Dr. Johnston as a na-
tive of Berwickshire, and by Mr. Winch as grovdng abundantly on some of
the mountams of Northumberland. In Cumberland it is an abundant
fern : Mr. Watson, the Kev. G. Binder, the late Mr. S. Gibson, and many
other botanists, have obligingly sent me many Cumberland stations, among
which I may mention in particular the neighbourhood of Keswick and Der-
wentwater, Scawfell Pikes, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, MartindaJe, Ennerdale,
and Borrowdale. In Durham, Teesdale is recorded on the authority of
Mr. Babington ; and rocks at Cocken and walls near Cronldey Fell in the
' Botanist's Guide.' In Westmoreland, Miss Beever finds it plentifully
near Ambleside, and, with her accustomed Uberality, has sent me a series
of beautiful specimens : the Rev. Mr. Finder also finds it on the schistose
or slate rocks in the same vicinity ; Mr. Hindson finds it at Casterton and
Old Hutton ; Mr. Coventry at Morland. From Yorkshire I have received
a great number of specimens through the kindness of my friends : the
chief stations are Fountain's Fell ; Haworth, near Hahfax ; Wensley
Dale; Cronkley Scar; a number of stations in. Teesdale ; many spots on
Ingleborough ; Penhill, and about the neighbourhood of Settle. In Lan-
cashire it is very abundant. Mr. Simpson informs me that on the Moors
near Lancaster it grows at a very slight elevation above the sea-level ;
Mr. W. Wilson found it in the same neighbourhood, on the road to the
38 PARSLEY FEEN.
Asylum ; the Rev. Mr. Pindar and Miss Beever upon the Old Man Moun-
tain ; the late Mr. S. Gibson and Mr. Gutoh have collected it at Cliviger,
near Todmorden, and at Thevely, near Burnley; Mr. Sidebotham and Dr.
Wood at Fo-edge, near Bury. In the English counties southward of Lan-
cashire and Yorkshire it is a fern of excessive rarity. We find it recorded
for Cheshire, in the ' Botanist's Guide,' as oocurrmg on the top of Tag's
Ness, a hill near Macclesfield. The same authority gives Chinley Hills,
near Chapel-le- Frith, in Derbyshhe. In Shropshire, following the steps
of Messrs. Cameron, Westcott, Westcombe, BurHngham, and Southall, I
found it during the past summer on the Titterstone Clee Hill, where it
occurs sparingly in four widely separated stations, amongst the masses of
basalt that characterize that remarkable district. In Worcestershire, Mr.
Lees records that he found it very sparingly on the Herefordshire Beacon,
one of the beautiful range known as the Malvern Hills : it grows only in
one spot, and there were but very few plants, one of which he most kindly
gave me. In Somersetshire, Mr. Nathaniel Ward found a few plants
about a mile from Simmon's Bath, growing on a stone wall at Challicombe,
in company with Polystichum alpinum. The probability of this pretty
little fern maintaining a standing in these outlying stations is, I fear, very
small ; I believe it is already lost in Derbyshire and Worcestershire.
In Wales the parsley fern occurs sparingly in the Snowdon district, also
in a few other parts of Caernarvonshire, and in Denbighshu-e, Montgomery
and Merioneth : in the last-named county, T found it on stone walls near
Dolgelly, and on the ascent as well as summit of Cader Idris. In South
Wales it is comparatively rare ; but I am indebted to Mr. Edward Young
for a specimen gathered in Glamorganshu'e.
In Ireland, the range of the parsley fern is still more restricted than
either in England or Wales. Mr. Mackay speaks of it as abundant on the
Moume Mountains, in the county Down, but this appears a mistake ; it
has occurred there, but, so far as I can ascertain, very rarely. The late
Mr. Thompson, of Belfast, whose recent loss as a most zealous naturalist
Ireland has so much reason to lament, when in company with Mr. Tem-
pleton (another Irish botanist, now, alas! lost to science), Mr. Mackay and
Dr. Stokes, found it sparingly in the crevices of rocks about the summit of
Slieve Bignian, in the same county ; but they spent ten hours in an un-
successful attempt to rediscover it on the Mourne range. Mr. Moore, of
Glasnevin, found a very few plants within the Hberties of Carricltfergus, in
the county Antrim ; and Mr. Thompson found one specimen on Carling-
ford Mountain, in the county Louth.
ALLOSOKUS CRISPUS.
39
§mx^M.
The principal characters by which
to distinguish this plant from other
British Polypodies, are, that its
fronds are both barren and fertile, and
that the margins of the pinnules in
the fertile frond are infiexed or con
volute, covering the clusters of cap-
sules. I have to acknowledge my
obligation to the late Mr. Samuel
Gibson, as well as to Miss Beever
and Mr. Cruickshank, for fronds par-
tially fruited and partially barren.
The radicles are fibrous, numer-
ous, tough, and adhere tenaciously to
the earth or stones : the caudex is
procumbent, extending itself hori-
zontally, and producing a constant
succession of fronds from its crown :
this procumbent or horizontal posi-
tion appears to me rather the result
of age, or want of power to maintain
an erect position, than of a tendency
to a creei^ing habit. The fronds rise
in May and June, and disappear at
the commencement of winter : as
before stated, they are of two kinds,
fertile and barren, both being nearly
triangular in form, and, like the frond
of Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, they
are composed of numerous, leaf- like,
ultimate divisions : the pinnee, pin-
nules, and ultimate divisions, are
arranged alternately : the stipes is
slender, smooth, pale green, and
is generally much longer than the
« frond, which is of a bright and de-
licate green colour. The ultimate
40 PARSLEY FEEN.
divisions of the fertile fronds are of a somewhat oval form,
and stand on distinct petioles, as shown at figure a, (page
39) ; their margins are inflexed or convolute, attenuated and
bleached ; figure fc is a magnified representation of one of these
little leaves, with its margins rolled over as in a state of nature.
The midvein is flexuous, and bears eight or ten lateral veins,
placed alternately ; these are divided shortlj' after leaving the
midvein, and each branch bears a nearly circular cluster of cap-
sules at or very near its extremity, which does not quite reach
the margin. The ultimate divisions are frequently auricled
near the footstalk on one side only ; this is shown in figures c,
d, and e : c represents the margins as flattened, and the clus-
ters of capsules consequently uncovered ; at d the margin is
flattened on one side only ; at e both margins are shown as
flattened, the capsules removed, and only the points of theii'
attachments indicated, together with the veins on which they
are placed. The character of the barren frond is very various :
its appearance is generally crowded and crisped, like the leaves
of parslej^ but its ultimate divisions are much tlie same with
those of the fertile frond. Three forms of the barren frond are
represented at/, g, and h; all these are of common occurrence:
in /, the iiltimate divisions are formed like little oak leaves ;
the venation of one of these magnified is shown at figure t .- g
represents a frond in which the ultimate divisions are nearly
linear : /i is a form of less common occurrence, yet rarely absent
where the plant is growing in considerable quantities.
There can scarcely be a more ornamental or more hardy fern
than this when cultivated on rock-work : its beautifully green
colour forms a most cheerful and j)leasing contrast to the dark
masses of basaltic or granitic rock amongst which it is placed
by Nature, and should be placed by man. The soil in which
it succeeds best is the peaty bog-earth known so well by nur-
sery-men as the proper soil for Rhododendrons, Kalmias, and
heaths : it should be sparingly supplied, and whether the fern
be cultivated in pots or in the open ground, a large proportion
of small pieces of stone should always be used.
CTENOPTERIS VULGARIS.
41
COMMON POLYPODY, {one-fourth the natural size).
Genus. — Ctenopteeis. Midvein distinct : lateral veins of
the pinnae or pinnules branched, free, swollen or capitate at
their extremities ; the anterior branch simple, generally termi-
nating midway between the midvein and the margin, bearing a
cluster of capsules at its extremity ; the posterior branch is
twice or thrice dichotomously divided, the capitate extremities
usually forming a line parallel to the margin : involucre none :
caudex a stout succulent rhizome, usually attached by means
of its radicles to the surface of a rock, the bark of a tree, &c.,
thus always having a pseudo-parasitic or climbing appearance,
cylindrical, branched, extending itself at the extremities, at
first densely clothed with scales, but as these fall off becoming
smooth and naked ; of slow growth, tough and very enduring,
here and there marked with nearly circular scars, the site of
fallen fronds, which, though persistent through the winter, are
G
42 COMMON POLYPODY.
deciduous in early summer, falling o£f at a basal articulation. —
See Phytol. ii. 274.
Species. — Vulgaris. Frond strap-shaped, simply pinnatifid,
stipitate : stipes articulated at the base.
Polypodium vulgare, Lmn. Sp. PI. 1544; Light/ . Fl. Scot.
667; Huds. Fl. Ancj. 455 ; With. Arr. 773 ; Sin. E. F. iv.
280, E. B. 1149 ; Mack. Fl. Hib. 337; Franc. 21 ; Netvm.
N. A. IS, F. Ill; Hook, and Am. 5QQ ; Bah. 408; Moore,
43.
Polipodium vulgare, Bolt. Fil. Brit. 32, t. 18.
Polypodium Ctenopteris vulgare, Presl. Tent. Pterid. 179.
Ctenopteris vulgaris, Neivm. Phytol. ii. 274, A2}p. xxix.
This genus is indicated by Presl, under the name of Polypo-
dium Ctenopteris vulgare ; and he has arranged under the sec-
tion Ctenopteris fifty-three species, which agree in the following
character : — " Sori aut omnes aut saltem superiores in apice
globuloso venee venuleeve." And although the assemblage, at
first sight, certainly appears heterogeneous, yet the character, if
constant, and combined with the still more important one derived
from the rhizome, is not to be rejected, however much the group
of included species may require revision. I am not aware that
the species, in its normal form, has ever had a second name.
All the figures of this fern are good, and some of them beau-
tifully characteristic : none however surpass in fidelity those by
Gerarde of the usual form; (see Gerarde Em. p. 1132, both
figures). It is very marked in character, and therefore easy to
represent.
imgragliral gimp.
The common polypody is perhaps the most universally dis-
tributed of all ferns : it grows in every province of Europe and
Asia between the German and North Pacific Oceans ; it occurs
in many parts of Africa, and throughout the continent of North
America.
CTENOPTERIS VULGARIS.
43
In Great Bri-
tain, it is one of
our most familiar
and most abun-
dant ferns. Just
as tlie common
brakes seems to shun man and
to seek the forests and tlie wilds
and heaths, where his imple-
ments of husbandry offer it no distixrbance ; so does the poly-
pody appear to affect the companionship of man, to shun the
waste, and to claim the shelter of the hedge-row : it forsakes
the common, and establishes itself on the church tower or the
church-yard wall : it especially delights in the stone roofs of
our cottages : it leaves the forest tree to rejoice in its vigour,
but surrounds with a verdant crown the pollard willows that
fringe the margins of our mill-streams or overshadow our horse-
ponds. It is emphatically a parasite, a parasite moreover on
the weali ; and when it occasionally makes its appearance far
away from man and the works of man's hands, it is sure to be
found clinging to some giant of the forest that is hastening to
ruin. Such an one it will often crown with joyous green, —
invest with
" A gilded halo hovering round decay."
44 COMMON POLYPODY.
The radicles are brown, and thickly clothed with fibrillee :
the caudex is a rhizome, about the size of a goose-quill, and
entirely covered with a dense, brown, pilose cuticle, which dries
up and peels off after one year's growth, leaving the rhizome
smooth ; it is decidedly creeping, making annual advances of
considerable extent. The young fronds are thrown out ia May
and June, and never issue from the growing point of the rhi-
zome, a character which will hereafter occupy the attention of
all pteridologists : they arrive at maturity early in September,
and retain their fuU vigour until the fronds of the succeeding
year make their appearance. The young fronds are generally
erect at first, but droop by degrees, and are always pendent
when mature. The stipes is green, and nearly equal in length
to the frond : the frond is strap-shaped, pinnatifid, and acute
at the apex, (fig a, page 41) : the pinnse are nearly linear, and
rounded at the apex ; their margins are more or less serrated :
the usual size is shown in the detached pinnte, represented by
figures b and c, (page 41). The fronds are fertile only, and the
clusters of capsules are generally confined to the upper part of
each : when without fruit, the imperfection arises from uncon-
genial situation, and the j)lant is not to be considered in a per-
fectly natural and healthy state. The situation of the veins is
shown in the detached pinna, (fig. b) : the lateral veins are al-
ternate, and each is divided into four branches, three of which
extend nearly to the margin, and are incrassated at their termi-
nation ; the fourth is directed forwards, and its termination,
which is nearly equidistant from the midvein and the margin,
bears a circular cluster of capsules, which is entirely without
an involucre. A single lateral vein, its four branches, the at-
tachment of the capsules, and the extent of the circular cluster,
indicated by a dotted line, are shown at fig. d. (page 41).
In form of frond the common polypody is tolerably uniform ;
it is, however, subject to a few variations, some of which are
CTENOPTERIS VULGARIS.
45
remarkable. The detached pinna bearing the clusters of cap-
sules (fig. c), shows a strongly serrated variety ; and the entire
frond (fig. e) has the termination of the pinnte bifid. Another
variety, which is perfectly barren, is so strongly serrated, that
46 COMMON POLYPODY.
Linneus considered it a distinct species, and described it under
the name of Polypodium Cambricum : the identical frond so
named and described by the great naturalist, is now in the pos-
session of the Linnean Society of London. Figure/, on the
preceding page, is a careful representation of this frond. I
have never been successful in my search for this form of the
common polypody in Wales, but have seen in many botanic
gardens fine Irish specimens, and am indebted to Mr. Moore, of
the Dublin Glasuevin Garden, for a root found in the county
Wicklow many years since : it is still in full vigour, and its
remarkable character is perfectly unchanged by cultivation.
The late Mr. Thompson, of Belfast, informed me that a similar
plant was found by the late Mr. Templeton, in a glen at Eed
Hall, near Carrickfergus, county Antrim. Figure g represents
a still more remarkable variety, found by Mr. Mackay, in the
Dargle, in the county Wicklow ; the frond represented was sent
by Mr. Mackay to the late Sir J. E. Smith, and is also in the
possession of the Linnean Society : it differs from the preced-
ing variety in being fertile. In Ireland this species is much
more subject to vary than in England. I have gathered a num-
ber of fronds in various parts of the county Kerry, which bear
some slight resemblance to Mr. Mackay's beautiful plant. I
must not, however, omit to record my thanks to Mr. George
Smith, of Monkston Hill, near Dublin, for magnificent examples
of this variety ; to Dr. Greville, for a gigantic English speci-
men gathered at Sidmouth; to Mr. Jenner, for another gathered
in Kent ; and to Mr. W. SouthaU, jun., for others, deeply ser-
rated, gathered in a lane at Moseley, near Birmingham.
This fern is one which thoroughly repays the trouble of cul-
tivation. Some care is required in removing it from its nati\'e
habitats : it frequently occurs with its rhizomes so closely in-
terlaced with the roots, branches, or bark of the decaying tree
on which it is growing, that a saw or chopper is required for
its removal. In a greenhouse, it is a remarkably striking and
beautiful object when suspended in a basket, which should
CTENOPTEEIS VULGARIS. 47
always be of wood, and made very open. The basket and sus-
pending wire being prepared, the rhizomes should be arranged
therein iu such a manner that the fronds may pass through the
holes in the bottom, and that the growing points of the rhizomes
may also have an opportunity of doing so. The rhizomes should
then be covered with a thin layer of Sphagnum, a moss always
to be found in boggy places, and which never becomes mouldy :
next cover the Sphagnum with a mixture of well- decayed leaf-
mould and silver sand ; then arrange a second layer of Sphag-
num, and then a second layer of rhizomes, on which carefully
fasten wooden cross bars, and the basket will be complete.
Immerse the whole in soft water, until it is thoroughly satu-
rated, and then suspend it in its final destination. This should
be done in April, before any young fronds have appeared : in
June and July young fronds will emerge through all the aper-
tures in the basket, and will arrange themselves gracefully
around it : last year's fronds, which, up to this period, are un-
sightly, will now fall off. The basket should hang in a free cir-
culation of air ; all glass covering, more than that afforded by
a greenhouse with open doors and windows, is to be avoided :
exclude violent draughts of wind, such as are lUcely to break
the fronds, but admit plenty of fresh air. The polypody may
also be cultivated in pots, recollecting to introduce abundance
of decaying wood and leaf-mould.
Out of doors this fern does well, if removed in a compact
mass from a wall or roof to a slab of stone in the rockery ; or,
better stiU, if you can obtain leave, in early spring, to saw off
the head of some pollard willow, and transfer the mass unin-
jured to your garden.
€mmM Mm,
The medicinal properties of the common polypody were once
highly extolled, but the plant is now fast falling into disrepute
amongst medical men. A mucilaginous decoction of its fronds
was formerly very commonly administered to children as a cure
for worms, colds, and the hooping-cough ; and I have seen el-
derly women collecting it in Herefordshire, as a specific against
the latter disease. It is gathered in October and November,
48 COMMON POLYPODY.
when full of seed, the barren fronds being rejected ; it is hung
up in the cottages to dry, and when required for use, is slowly-
boiled with coarse raw sugar. It is called by these gatherers,
" golden locks," and " golden maiden-hair."
The virtues formerly attributed to this plant were very nu-
merous. Dioscorides says it is of service applied to luxations
or limbs out of joint, and to chaps between the fingers ; and
that it has the power to purge and draw forth choler and
phlegm. Actuarius asserts that it purges melancholy, as we
learn from Gerarde ; but he adds that Joannes Monardus thinks
its powers of purging very small, a view of the case which our
great herbalist informs us "is confirmed by Experience the
mistris of things." Pliny recommends it for chaps on the toes ;
and farther informs us that the root dried and powdered, and
snuffed up the nose, will consume a polypus. It is, doubtless,
the " Eheum-purging Polypody " of our own Shakspere.
The dried and powdered rhizome was formerly applied
" externally as an absorbent, and for covering pills," as we are
informed by Dr. Lindsay ; (Phytol. iv. 1065).
GYMNOCAUPIUM PHEGOPTEEIS.
49
THE BEECH FEEN, (natural size).
Genus. — Gtmnocaepium. Ultimate divisions of the frond
with a series of free parallel veins running from the midvein to
the margin, and each of these bearing a circular mass of cap-
sules before its extremity ; when mature, these clusters are
circular, and, in the typical species, have no trace of an invo-
lucre. The caudex is a black, slender, stolon-like rhizome,
which extends rapidly beneath the surface of the ground, the
fronds rising from its extremity.
Obs. — Tt should here be observed that Koth, one of the most pains-
taking and observant of botanists, asserts that he found an involucre
in Phegopteris and Dryopteris. I have no reason to doubt this as-
sertion, but have not confirmed it by my own observation. An in-
volucre is frequently present in montana, and is such as is described
by Roth as characteristic of Phegopteris.
Species. — Phegopteris. Rhizome creeping : stipes long :
frond ovate -deltoid, pinnate, drooping : first pair of pinnae ses-
sile, distinct, turned back ; the rest confluent, being united at
50 BEECH FERN.
the base, pointing forwards ; all pinnatifid : colour dull green :
stipes concolorous, slightly scaly.
PoljTpodium Phegopteris, Linn. Sj). PL 1550 ; Lightf. Fl.
Scot. 669 ; Huds. Fl. Aug. 456 ; With. Arr. 775 ; Sm. E.
F. iv. 283, E. B. 2224 ; Mack. Fl. Hib. 337 ; Franc. 33 ;
Nenm. F. 115 ; Hook, and Am. 566 ; Moore, 47.
Polipodium Phegopteris, Bolt. Fil. Brit. 36, t. 20.
Aspidium Thelypteris, Sm. E. B. 1018.
Lastrea Phegopteris, Bory, Diet. Class. d'Hist. Nat. ix. 252 ;
Newm. N.A.17,F.1S.
Polypodium ? Phegopteris, Bab. 408.
Gymnocarpium Phegopteris, Newm. Phyt. iv. 371, Aj^iJ. xxiii.
Polystichum Phegopteris, Roth. Fl. Germ. iii. 72.
The ferns for which I propose the generic name of Gymno-
carpium, form a small, hut, as it appears to me, a very natural
group. Most of our authors, modern as well as ancient, include
them, together with the last-described species, Ctenopteris vul-
garis, and also Pseudathyrium alpestre hereafter to be noticed,
in the genus Polypodium. My late friend. Colonel Bory de St.
Vincent, when he established the genus Lastrea in 1824, men-
tioned only two European species, Oreopteris and Thelypteris,
as referrible thereto ; but two years subsequently, namely, in
1826, he added three others, — Phegopteris, Dryopteris and Eo-
bertianum : and every botanist will admit that there is great
similarity in structure amongst all the five species, and that
they associate very naturally : nevertheless, I think it better to
separate the species into two groups, until there is a greater
fixity in the characters and limits of the genera of ferns.
The specific name of Phegopteris is of universal acceptation,
although both this, and the English name of " beech fern," a
literal translation, seem very inappropriate, as was observed by
the late Sir J. E. Smith ; and I feel at a loss to discover the
reason for either having been employed. Both of them convey
an obviously incorrect impression, as neither the characters nor
localities of the fern have any connexion with the beech tree.
GYirNOCARPIUM PHEGOPTEEIS. 51
The figures of the beech fern are not, generally speaking,
satisfactory, inasmuch as they fail to give the very marked
character which distinguishes this truly graceful fern : its long
stipes, subtriangular figure, and the unusual direction, and
complete separation of the lowest pair of pinnse, are very strik-
ing characteristics. In ' English Botany ' it seems to have
been figured twice, first under the name of Aspidium Thelypte-
ris (E. B. tab. 1018), and secondly, under that of Polypodium
Phegopteris (E. B. tab. S224) ; neither of these figures is very
successful. In Bolton's 'FiKces' (tab. 20) the figure is far from
characteristic ; and Mr. Francis (Analysis, pi. 1, fig. 3) has, if
I mistake not, figured an American species in its stead.
Gymnocarpium Phegopteris is recorded as a native of every
country in Europe, except Turkey and Greece ; Ledebour, in
his ' Flora Rossica,' gives the Altai Mountains, Lake Baikal,
Kamtkatcha, and Unalaska, as Asiatic habitats ; and Col. Bory
de St. Vincent found it in Algeria. Through the kindness of
my correspondents, Mr. Boott and Mr. Lea, I have received a
species from many and distant stations in the United States,
which I cannot distinguish from G. Phegopteris.
In Great Britain it takes a range very similar to that of Al-
losorus crispus : in Scotland it is found in every county north
of the Firth of Forth ; also in the Shetlands, Hebrides, and
Orkneys : it is very common in the western Highlands, and
enjoys a great range of elevation : it occurs near the summit of
Ben More, Ben Lomond, and Ben Cruachan, and descends to
nearly the sea-level on the banks of Loch Lomond and Loch
Fyne.
In England, beginning with the far North, we find it recorded by Dr.
Johnston for Berwickshire ; by Mr. Winch for Northumberland ; by the
Eev. Mr. Pinder, Mr. Heysham, and many others, for Cumberland; by
Mr. Bowman for Durham ; by Miss Beever, Mr. Hindson, Mr. Thomp-
son, and many others, for Westmoreland; by Mr. Hardy, Mr. Tatham,
and a great many others, for Yorkshire ; by Mr. Wilson, Mr. Sidebotham,
Dr. Wood, and many others, for Lancashire. At this point we come to a
check : it occurs but sparingly in Cheshire, for which county three localities
52 BEECH FEEN.
only are recorded : Mr. Pinder finds it at Mow Cop, Mr. Sidebotham at
Werneth, and Mr. Bradbury, according to the ' Botanist's Guide,' in Early
Banks Wood, near Staley Bridge, Dr. Wood informs me that he found
it in profusion on the limestone rooks in Derbyshire ; Mr. Pinder has found
two locahties in Staffordshire, — Ridge Hill and Madeley Manor ; it occurs
in company with AUosorus crispus on the Titterstone Glee in Shropshire,
and Mr. Westcott has also found a station nearer Ludlow ; I have found it
abundantly near Amestrey quarry, in Herefordshire. The following record
of its discovery in Gloucestershire is interesting : — " During a day's ex-
cursion in the Forest of Dean this summer, I had the pleasure of very un-
expectedly meeting with that elegant fern Polypodium Phegopteris. About
a mile and a half above Lydbrook, towards Coleford, out of a low wall by
the road-side, grows Polypodium caloareum. The station for Phegopteris
is nearly opposite this, on the other side of the road, a short distance within
the wood. It is growing among bushes, in a boggy bit of ground ; I think
in rather an unusual position, its favourite habitat being among moss on
rocks and stones, amid the spray of waterfalls. Although a considerable
patch of a hundred or two fronds, it bad not attained to near that luxuri-
ance and size of frond which makes it such a beautiful object in some more
mountainous parts of the country. But it is an interesting addition to the
ferns of Gloucestershire, in which county I am not awai'e that it has been
previously recorded." — Mr. E. T. Bennett, in Phytol. iii. 741'. In Devon-
shire, there are some dozen or more well-authenticated habitats for this
fern : Mr. Ralfs has discovered it in many and distant stations on Dart-
moor ; Mr. Babington at Sheep's Tor ; Miss HiU at Ilfracombe ; the Rev.
W. S. Hore on the summit of Cock's Tor ; Mr. Kingston at Becky Falls.
In Cornwall, Mr. Borrer found it at Tintagel, on the road towards Camel-
ford ; and, finally, it has been discovered in two widely separated localities
in Sussex : first, by Mr. Jenner, " in a boggy spot on the forest, near
Kidbrook Park pales. Forest Row " ; and, secondly, by Messrs. Lloyd and
M'Ennes, near the Balcombe station on the London and Brighton Railway:
— " In a somewhat shady portion of elevated ground, at a distance of about
two mUes from Balcombe, and near the line of the tunnel, we had the good
fortune to find Polypodium Phegopteris in the most beautiful condition.
The fronds were unusually large and luxuriant, averaging, when measui'ed,
together with the long naked stipes, more than two feet in length. Its
luxuriance and delicate colour combined to render it a beautiful and truly
interesting object." — J. Lloyd and K. M'Ennes, in Pliytol. iv. 607. In
consequence of'tliis record, many readers of the ' Phytologist ' have been to
the station indicated, and have found the species in great profusion ; m-
deed, I incline to believe, it is generally distributed over the forest in the
Balcombe vicinity.
GYMNOCAEPIUM PHEGOPTERIS. 53
In NoBTH Wales I have noted upwards of thirty stations where I have
myself observed it ; and at least an equal number have been recorded for
South Wales.
In the Isle of Man it has been found by Professor E. Forbes.
In Irelakb, the beech fern is of rare occurrence, and appears to grow
nowhere abundantly. During a ramble of eight weeks in that beautiful
island, I was never successful in finding it, although I examined many sta-
tions that I thought well adapted for it ; others, however, have been more
fortunate. Mr. Mackay found it at the waterfall above Lough Eske, in the
county Donegal ; the late Mr. Thompson met with it on the banks of the
Glenarve river, half a mile from Oushendall in the county Antrim ; and
Mr. Moore, of Glasnevin, observed it at several mountain rills and water-
falls in the same county. Mr. Thompson also gathered specimens upon
Slieve Bignian, on rough ground two miles south of Slieve Oroob, and on
the Black Mountain, above Tollymore Park, all in the county Down : and
on Carlingford Mountain, in the county Louth. My friend, Mr. E. T.
Bennett, informs me that he has specimens collected on Garoom Mountain,
Letterfrack, in Cunnemara, by Mr. Ellis. The late Dr. Taylor found it
near Mr. Herbert's residence at Muckruss, in Kerry ; and Mr. Moore, Mr.
Ward, and Dr. Harvey have observed it in the neighbourhood of Killarney.
The late Mr. Templeton found it in Glen Ness, in Londonderry ; and,
lastly, Mr. Mackay, and a number of botanists and tourists following his
footsteps, have observed it at Powerscourt waterfall, in the county Wicklow.
The more abundant distribution of tbis plant in Scotland
and tbe North of England, leads one at first to regard it as a
boreal, or, at least, as an alpine species ; but tbis conclusion
seems to be erroneous. My brother, who, as an invalid, resided
for several years in the South of France, brought home speci-
mens from Ax, Grasse, Montpellier, and Toulon ; at the last-
named town it grew almost at the sea-level, in company with
Adiantum Capillus-Veneris ; the late Col. Bory de St. Vincent
also found it on the Mediterranean coast, both French and Al-
gerian : and the most boreal or alpine recorded French locality
is in Auvergne. I know nothing of the conditions under which
it occurs in Italy and Spain. In Great Britain it affects wet
woods and waterfalls, delighting to wave its peculiarly graceful
fronds within reach of the spray. In such situations, the rhi-
zome intermingles with the moss, or winds about in the light
moist earth, or creeps over the dripping surface of a rock,
seeming to rejoice in the humidity of the atmosphere.
54 BEECH FERN.
As the foregoing observations seem somewhat at variance
with the opinions expressed by Mr. Watson, in his ' Cybele
Britannica ' (iii. 254), I am bound in justice, both to that philo-
sophical botanist and to the reader, to give his observations
in extenso. " Scottish type of distribution. * * * Native.
Eupestral, &c. It may at first appear an error to refer this
fern to the Scottish or boreal type of distribution, when the
zonal or latitudinal ranges are so wide or general, extending
from the coast level to the high mountains, from the South of
England to the extreme North of Scotland. It is the great
rarity of the plant in the most southerly and south-easterly
provinces of England, that suggests the boreal rather than the
British type. Of the twenty-two counties included in the four
first provinces, four only have been reported to produce this
species ; and one of these (Middlesex) being little probable, and
not certified on sufficient authority, can scarcely be reckoned
in the census. Most of the other sixty counties doubtless pro-
duce this fern, which has been actually reported from about
forty-five of them. I do not know how far South this should
be deemed a plant of the coast level. The altitude of its sta-
tions in the Channel and Peninsula may not be quite so low as
to warrant an indication of the coast level in those provinces.
The term ' rupestral ' does not very accurately characterize the
natural situations for the species ; a combination of ' rupestral '
with ' sylvestral ' and ' uliginal ' would be nearer the actual
conditions of its growth, • — a combination of drainage with
shade and humidity."
The radicles of the beech fern are black and fibrous : its
caudex or stolon-like rhizome is wiry, tuugh, and creeping: the
fronds are thrown up in May, rising on erect, succulent, and
very brittle stems, clothed with a few pale scattered scales. I
have taken some pains to represent these young fronds at page
55, in every stage of development. They unfold with wonder-
ful rapidity, attain perfection in July, and are destroyed by
the early frosts on the approach of winter. The position of
the frond is at first nearly erect, subsequently horizontal, and
GYMNOCARI'ItTM PHEGOPTEEIS.
55
finally pendulous ; its size varies from that of the frond repre-
sented in figure a at page 49, to nme inches in length, exclu-
sive of the stipes. The figure of the frond is triangular, and
acute at the apex ; it is pinnate, the pinnm heing pinnatifid,
linear, and very acute at the apex : the lower pair of pinnae
are turned back from the apex of the frond; they are sessile,
and united to the stipes by the midrib only : the remaining
pinnae point forwards, and are united to the stipes by the whole
breadth of their base, and, with the exception of the second and
third pair, are confluent with each other : the fronds, including
the stipes, are pale green and hirsute, and are fertile only.
56 BEECH FERN,
The lateral veins of the pinnules are few in number, alter-
nate, almost invariably undivided, and extend to the margin,
each bearing a circular cluster of capsules near its extremity ;
these clusters consequently form a submarginal series : they are
of a brown colour. In one of the detached pinnules in the cut
at page 49 (fig. b), will be seen the position of the veins and
the attachment of the cajDSules ; in the other (fig. c), the clus-
ters of capsules are represented in their natural situation.
€ulkxt
The beech fern, to succeed thoroughly in pots, should be
cultivated on the following plan. Fill a large flower-pot to the
height of three inches with charcoal broken into small lumps ;
on this arrange some Sphagnum, and cover it with peat-earth
having a slight admixture of well-decayed leaf-mould and sand ;
on this arrange the rhizomes of the ferns, and cover them with
the same mixture. The pot should stand in a large feeder,
kept constantly full of water. Planted on rock-work and ex-
posed to wind and sun, it soon looks shabby and unsightlj'', but
is very hardy, and will endure for many years if the soil be
appropriate, as recommended above, and the supply of water
liberal.
GYMNOCABPIUM DEYOPTEEIS.
5r
OAK FERN, lone-third the natural size)
Genus. — Gymnocarpium, (see page 49).
Species. — Deyopteeis. Rhizome creeping : stipes erect,
longer than the frond, purplish, glabrous : frond triple, deltoid,
smooth, the three branches pinnate : pinnse pinnatifid : lateral
veins usually simple : involucre generally wanting : clusters of
capsules near the extremity of each lateral vein, forming a mar-
ginal series : colour bright green.
Ipwnpt^, fyum, fe.
Polj'podium Dryopteris, Linn. Sp. PL 1555 ; Lightf. Fl. Scot.
678 ; Huds. Fl. Ang. 460 ; With. Arr. 780 ; Sm. E. F. iv.
283, E. B. 616 ; Mack. Fl. Hih. 338 ; Franc. 24 ; Newm.
F. 123 ; Hook, and Am. 567 ; Moore, 53.
Polypodium Dryopteris, Bolt. Fil. Brit. 52, t. 28.
Polystichum Dryopteris, Both, Fl. Germ. iii. 80.
I
58 OAK FEEX.
Lastrea Dryopteris, Bory, Diet. Class. d'Hist. Nat. ix. 232 ;
Netvm. N.A. 15, F. 13.
Polypodium ? Dryopteris, Bab. 409.
Gymnocarpium Dryopteris, Newm. Phytol. iv. 371, App. xxiv.
The name of " oak fern," derived from "Drj'opteris," appears
as inapplicable to this species as that of " beech fern " to the
one last described, and is adopted in deference to the opinions
of others. The scientific name of Polypodium Dryopteris has
been employed by all authors of repute, except two : — Eoth,
who describes it as having an involucre nearly similar to that
which he assigns to Gymnocarpium Phegopteris, and who con-
sequently refers it to his genus Polystichum ; and Bory, who
refers it to his genus Lastrea, as already explained under G.
Phegopteris.
The figures of this fern, like those of the one last described,
are less characteristic than its remarkable form would lead us
to expect : those in Bolton's ' Filices ' and ' English Botany '
are better than most ; but that in Mr. Francis's ' Analysis ' is
incorrect as regards outline and position, the trij)le character of
the frond not being well expressed : that in ' Flora Danica ' is
also bad, and is supposed by some subsequent authors to have
been intended for the Lophodium multiflorum of this work.
The geographical range of this species is very extensive. It
is recorded as a native of every country of Europe, except
Greece and Turkey, ranging from the North Cape to the rocks
of Gibraltar. It is to be regretted that Ledebour, whose admi-
rable summary of habitats adds so largely to our knowledge of
the geographical distribution of European plants, should have
united Dryopteris, Kobertianum, and a third but still more dis-
tinct form, the Polypodium disjunctum of Euprecht (in Beitr.
z. Pflanzenk. d. Russ. iii. 52), under the one specific name of
Dryopteris : I say regretted, not that I wish to j)ass any criti-
cism on the mere fact of this union, but that a vast number of
habitats are thus lost to those who consider the species distinct,
as they cannot be cited with any certainty, the habitats being
assigned exclusively to Dryopteris, although that name confess-
GYMNOCARPIUM DEYOPTERIS, 59
ecUy includes the three supposed species. It occurs in North-
ern Asia, and Africa : it is also found throughout the United
States of North America, ascending to the exposed summits of
mountains, and almost reaching the extreme limits of vegeta-
tion, yet occasionally luxuriating in woods, if amply provided
with moisture for its wandering rhizome.
In Great Britain, its range appears to be more restricted
than that of the beech fern. If the island were divided by an
oblique but irregular line, composed of the rivers Trent and
Severn, and the Bristol Channel, we shall iind G. Dryopteris
present in most of the counties to the north-west of this line,
and nearly absent from those to the south-east : this is the more
remarkable, since many situations, especially in Cornwall, De-
von, Dorset, Wilts, and Sussex, seem peculiarly adapted for the
growth of such a fern ; indeed, it has been recorded as grow-
ing in Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Sussex, Essex, Middlesex and
Lincolnshire ; but in each instance I have had reason to sus-
pect the intentional introduction of the species, or an error in
the name, since it certainly requires some proficiency in botany
to distinguish between this and the following species. It is
one of our most elegant and delicate ferns : like the last, it is
almost entirely confined to wild and mountainous districts, wet
woods, and the vicinity of waterfalls. On the most bleak and
exposed mountains it ascends to a considerable height, shel-
tering beneath ledges of rock, and under masses of stone.
In Scotland, the localities are extremely numerous, and include nearly
all the counties.
England. — Dr. Johnston records half-a-score stations in Berwickshire ;
in Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Diurham, Yorkshire and
Lancashire, the looaUties are far too numerous to mention. In Cheshire
it is comparatively rare : Mr. Wilson found it of very large size two miles
south of Warrington. In Derbyshire the rooks about Pleasley Forges, and
Cbinley Hill, near Chapel-le- Frith, are recorded in the ' Botanist's Guide '
as localities. In Staffordshire, it has been found by the Ecv. Mr. Pindei-
in Trentham Park ; by Mr. Beynon in the grounds of the Rev. Thomas
Gisborne, of Yoxall Lodge ; by Mr. Carter, in a lane leading from Oaka-
moore to Colton Hall, and also on a stone wall near Colton Hall. In
Shropshire, treading in the footsteps of abler men, I observed it abundantly,
in company with G. Phegopteris and Allosorus crispus, about the basaltic
blocks on the ascent of the Titterstone Clee : it has also been found on the
60 OAK FEEN.
Hoar Edge, and at Whitcliffe coppice near Ludlow, by Mr. Westeott. In
Herefordshire, Mr. Lees observed it in great profusion by the side of a
shady path in a wood or copse on the southern side of the Teme, leading
from a wooden bridge over the river in Mr. Knight's grounds, and not far
from Downton Castle : I have found it near Amestrey quarry, and in im-
mense profusion in Shobden-hill woods ; in the latter locality it covers acres
of gi-ound, is of small size, and all the divisions of the frond are convex or
convolute : Mr. Bennett and Mr. Purohas have also found it sparingly in
several woods in the vicinity of Eoss ; the last-named botanist states that
it grows " in shady parts of Penyard, where its habit is very delicate,
and very little fruit is produced." In Worcestershire, Mr. Lees finds it
plentifully on the Malvern Hills, in a stony ravine between the north
and end hills, North of Great Malvern ; Mr. Westoombe has found it on
the north hill, and in Shrawley Wood : I am indebted to the hberality of
the Botanical Society of London for specimens from the first of these loca-
lities. In Gloucestershire, Withering has recorded its occurrence in woods
north-east of the road up Frocester Hill ; Mr. Lees informs me that it
grows in the Forest of Dean, south-east of the rooks of New Weir, on the
Wye, by a path through the woods towards Staunton : and Mr. E. T. Ben-
nett has found it in woods at the Lea Bailey, and also on Atterbury Hill,
above Lydbrook. In Somersetshire, Mr. Flower informs me he has found
it in rocky places on the Mendip Hills, also near Bristol and near Bath.
In NoETH Wj\les, as in Scotland, the localities are too numerous to par-
ticularize. In the counties of Denbigh, Caernarvon, Cardigan and Merio-
neth, I have observed it in more than a hundred localities. In Sodth
Wales it is perhaps less abundant, but the recorded localities are very
numerous.
The oak fern is the rarest of all the species found in Ireland. Mr,
Moore, of the Dublin Glasnevin Garden, has a specimen which he gathered
in the county Antrim. Localities have been published in the counties
Down, Galway and Kerry; but there is reason to fear that in each instance
a mistake has accidentally crept into the record.
gcstription.
The radicles are black and fibrous : the caudex is a stolon-
like rhizome, black, wiry, and creeping, often, when long esta-
blished, forming a dense matted mass. The young fronds
make their appearance in March and April, each at first resem-
bling three little balls on wires, presenting a very curious and
excellent diagnostic : these three balls gradually unfold, and
GYMNOCAEPIUM DRYOPTEEIS. 61
display the triple character of the frond. The fronds soon ar-
rive at maturity ; I have found them loaded with ripe seed as
early as June : before winter they have entirely disappeared.
The stipes is very slender, dark purple, and shining, and is
frequently twice as long as the frond ; it has a few scattered
scales towards the base. The frond is triple, or composed of
three distinct triangular portions, each of which has a short
but distinct naked rachis, and these three unite with the stipes
at an obtuse angle, as represented in the figure at page 57.
Each division of the frond is pinnate, and the pinnae are oppo-
site, pinnate at the base, pinnatifid towards the centre, and ter-
minating in a somewhat acute apex : the basal pinnules are
sessile, and of nearly equal size, so that the four occurring at
each union of the pinnse with the rachis, form a cross. The
midvein of each pinnule or ultimate division is sinuous, and
the lateral veins are alternate and mostly simple ; each termi-
nates at the margin, and generally bears a circular cluster of
dark brown capsules near its extremity : in some specimens
these clusters are so densely crowded as to form a marginal
line, in others they are scattered and very distant. The fronds
are of a most vivid and beautiful green, in this respect surpass-
ing every other species with which I am acquainted : when of
full growth and mature, they are always fertile. In many spe-
cimens, the frond is much more divided than the one which I
have selected for my figure and description ; and in such in-
stances the veins and clusters of capsules partake of the subdi-
vision. It should also be observed that the two lateral divisions
of the fronds may, without impropriety, be termed the first pair
of pinnse, in which case their divisions would be pinnules, and
not pinnae, as I have liere denominated them, from a desire to
avoid a confusion of terms.
In the cut at page 57, figure a represents a portion of the
creeping rhizome with three unexpanded fronds : figure b an
expanded frond in a mature and abundantly fruited state (when
sparingly fruited the divisions are broader and shorter) ; figure
c a pinnule showing the veins and the points of attachment of
the capsules ; and figure d another pinnule, with the clusters
of capsules in situ.
62
OAK FERN.
€\xMt
This is an extremely beautiful fern in cultivation, and flou-
rishes on rock-work if supplied with a light and moist soil,
which its stolon-like rhizomes can readily penetrate : this
should be composed of bog-earth, leaf-mould and sand, without
any admixture of loam. Exposure to the sun rapidly changes
the colour of the leaves to a sickly yellow -green, and causes
the divisions to assume a convolute form ; but, if shaded by
trees, which can readily be accomplished, a patch of the most
exquisitely delicate and lovely green may be preserved through-
out the summer months ; for the production of young fronds
continues up to the end of September. In flower-pots it is not
so readily cultivated as in the open air : but still, where pure
air is unattainable, as in our London gardens, it may be ma-
naged by paying attentioir to the composition of the soil and
the supply of moisture.
^^4^ ^^^%,/„<i^<^,^m^^;., ,,^,
(.VMXiJCAltl'IUIM liOBEllTIANUM.
63
yivyj^
i'V\\fv
'g:
SMITH'S FEEN, [natural size).
^iMuAm.
Genus. — Gymnocarpium, (see page 49).
Species. — Eobeetianum. Rhizome creeping : stipes erect,
fully as long as the frond, entirely covered, as well as the frond,
■with minute short-stalked glands, which give the plant a mealy
appearance : frond ohlong deltoid ; the first or lowest pair of
pinnee are opposite, stipitate, and pinnate, the second pair
64 smith's fern.
generally stipitate and pinnatifid ; the remainder are sessile and
pinnatifid : an obtuse angle is formed at the union of the first
pair of pinnse with the stipes and rachis ; lateral veins in the
ultimate divisions usually simple : clusters of capsules circular,
forming a suhmarginal series : involucre generally wanting :
colour dull green, somewhat glaucous.
Polypodium Dryopteris, Bolt. Fil. Brit. 53, 1 ; Newm. F. [cd.
1), p. 20 ; Lecleh. Fl. Ross. xiv. 509.
Polypodium Robertianum, Hoffm. Dcutschl. Fl. ii. 10 ; Koch,
Syn. (ed. 2), 974 ; Fries, Summa, 82 ; Moore, 55.
Polypodium calcareum, Sm. Fl. Brit. 1117, E. F. iv. 288,
E. B. 1525 ; Newin. F. 181 ; Franc. 24 ; Hook, and Am.
567 ; Bab. 409.
Lastrea calcarea, Bori/, Diet. Class. d'Hist. Nat. ix. 232 ;
Neivm. N. A. 17.
Lastrea Robertiana, Newm. F. 13.
Gymnocarpium Robertianum, Neivm. Phyt. iv. 371, ^jjj).
xxiv.
We are indebted to Bolton for first noticing and describing
this fern, which he treated as a variety of Polypodium Dryopte-
ris. " I have observed," says tliis author, " a variety of this
plant growing in White Scars, near Ingleton, and in the Peak
of Derbyshire, wherein the rib is taUer, more firm, hard and
robust, white and opaque ; the leaves larger, the number of
parts greater, and the largest of the lobes are again partly lobed,
or divided down half-way to the middle rib : this variety I have
figured, tab. 1, fig. 1." The plant, however, was first named
and characterized as a species by Hoifman, who describes it in
these words : — " Polypodium Robertianum. Fronde triangu-
lari, foliolis ternis bipinnatis ; pinnis pinnulisque inferne pin-
natifidis. Stipes glaucus, uno latere sulcatus. Frons tenera.
Uterque nudo oculo subtili tomento, ad lentem hrcvissimis glan-
dulis obsitis. Odor debilis Geranii Robertiani. Fructif.
minuta." — Hoffm. Deutschl. Fl. ii. 10, date 1795. Sir J. E.
Smith, in 1804, redescribed the species under the name of Po-
lypodium calcareum; see Flor. Brit. p. 1117. His subsequent
GYMNOCAEPIUM EOBERTIANUM. 65
description in the 'English Flora' is in these words : — " Frond
three-hranched ; branches doubly pinnate, erect, rather rigid ;
segments obtuse, somewhat crenate. Masses of capsules
crowded, finally confluent. * * * Boot creeping, but
stouter and less extended than in the preceding species (P.
Dryopteris). Frond more firm and rigid : its stalk more scaly
about the lower part. All the three branches upright, smaller
than the last, rigid, and not loosely spreading. Masses of cap-
sules more crowded, finally in some degree confluent, and of a
browner hue." Our British authors, Hooker and Babington,
admit it as a species ; the latter gives the following description,
which, it may be observed, comprises diagnostics of more value
than any pointed out by Bolton or Smith, although so admira-
bly given by Hoffmann. "Fronds subternate, glandular -mealy,
lower branches pinnate ; pinnte pinnatifid, obtuse, the upper-
most nearly entire ; sori marginal. Very different in habit
from the preceding (P. Dryopteris), and always covered with
very minute stalked glands, giving a mealy character to the sur-
face. Frond not so decidedly trifid, the lower branches being
much smaller in proportion to the middle one ; all the three
erect, rigid." Mr. Wilson, whose authority in British ferns is
certainly inferior to no one's, also considers the present species
distinct from G. Dryopteris, " I consider these plants," says
Mr. Wilson, "to be quite distinct, the former [G. Robertianum]
having truly the erect habit which Smith describes ; I believe
also that the pubescence is constantly present in P. calcareum.
The two species are generally found in different habitats, but
in a wood on the side of Ingleborough, as you go to Weather-
cote, they are found in company. I have cultivated them side
by side for many years, with their respective characters un-
changed." Mrs. Riley, of Papplewick, near Nottingham, has
written a few lines on the same subject, which I shall take the
liberty of quoting. " The pubescence, which is one distin-
guishing character of P. calcareum, is a beautiful microscopic
object, each slender stem supporting a globular head, but this
pubescence soon dries, so that only on freshly gathered speci-
mens can it be fully perceived or accurately examined. Though
we found P. Dryopteris frequently in Wales, we never met with
P. calcareum there ; and although, like Mr. Wilson, we have
cultivated them side by side for years, we can also testify that
66 smith's feen.
their respective characters remain unchanged." In letters
from the Eev. Mr. Bree, and the late Mr. Cameron of Birming-
ham, opinions very similar to those now quoted are expressed,
both these excellent botanists regarding G. Eobertianum as a
truly distinct species. It must however be observed that Sad-
ler, in his treatise on the ferns of Hungary, admits this species
with doubt, while the learned authors of the 'Flore Fran-
goise ' ignore it altogether, although of common occurrence in
France ; and Ledebour, in his ' Flora Eossica,' although weU
acquainted with it, advisedly unites it with Dryopteris. Origi-
nally I entertained a similar opinion, an opinion which careful
observation of the plant under cultivation has induced me to
abandon.
With regard to the specific name, I seem to have no choice
but to adopt the earlier one, although our most distinguished
English botanists, Hooker, Watson, and Babington, have advi-
sedly selected the later. For every change of specific name,
some sufficient reason ought to be assigned ; yet neither Sir J.
E. Smith, Sir W. J. Hooker, Mr. Watson, nor Mr. Babington,
has given the least explanation of the change, although no one
will presume to su^Dpose either of these truly illustrious authors
ignorant of Hoffmann's prior description.
My friend, Bory de St. Vincent, made this species a Lastrea
in 1824, an arrangement which I adopted in 1844 ; but, not
satisfied of its affinity with Bory's type-species, Oreopteris, I
have ventured to place it under my new genus, Gymnocarpium,
as abeady explained.
The figure of Dryopteris Tragi in Gerarde (Em. 1135), co-
pied and reversed by the author of the ' British Herbal ' (p.
48), without any acknowledgment, admirably represents this
species, but there is nothing, either in the original or quoted de-
scription, that applies exclusively to Eobertianum ; on the con-
trary, it is most manifest that Dryopteris is also included : the
information that "it is oftentimes found in sunny places; " that
it grows "upon heaps of rubbish," &c., mingled, as it is, with
much irrelevant matter, indicates the fusion of this sj)ecies with
the more common Drj'opteris. There is a tolerably character-
istic figure in Bolton's ' Filices ' (tab. 1, fig. 1) under the name
of Polypodium Dryopteris, and also in 'English Botany' (1525),
the latter under the name of P. calcareum; but the very elegant
ClYMNOCAEPIUM ROBERTIANUM. 07
and pictorial representation in Francis's ' Analysis ' (pi. 1, fig.
5), is certainly drawn from Dryopteris.
Our acquisition of precise knowledge of the geographical
range of this species is greatly retarded by the incapacity or
disinclination of botanists to distinguish between Gymnocar-
pium Dryopteris and G. Robertianum. Sadler gives it as a
native of Hungary, Germany and France. Through the kind-
ness of Mr. Allcard, I possess fronds from several localities
in Switzerland ; and Godet says that it is abundant on old
walls and bare rocks in the Jura, especially in the mountainous
regions. I have little doubt of its being generally scattered
over the continents of Europe and America : I possess a spe-
cimen from the United States.
In Great Britain this fern seems confined to the limestone
districts, making itself particularly at home amidst the debris
of limestone quarries. Its distribution I should describe as
geological rather than geographical, and quite independent of
latitudinal or altitudinal conditions.
In the North of England it has been found in Durham, and occurs
abundantly in Cumberland, Westmoreland, Yorkshire, and Lancasldre.
In Derbyshire, I am informed by the Kev. Mr. Pinder that it occurs plen-
tifully at Matlock, and by Dr. Wood near Buxton : many other botanists
confirm these localities. A cluster of counties further South, — Oxford-
shire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and Somersetshire, — also produce this
species ; Oxfordshire and WUtsloire somewhat sparingly, the others abun-
dantly : my nephew, Henry Newman, has obUgingly given me specimens
from five different stations near the town of Chencester, and the Cotteswold
Hills, in the same district, have a great number of localities recorded on
the best authorities.
Wales. — From the Welch localities I incline to omit that of Cwm Id-
well, in Caernarvonshh-e ; while that of Llanferris, in Denbighshire, on the
authority of Miss Potts, and from which, through the kiadness of Mr. Kip-
pist, I possess specimens, and that of Merthyr Tydfil, on the authority of
Mr. Babington, must be retained.
Scotland and Ibeland have hitherto furnished no localities.
68
SMITH S FERN.
The radicles are fibrous : the rhizome is dark brown and
creeping. The fronds make their appearance in May, and
both their habit and mode of unfolding differ from those of G.
Drj^opteris ; the three portions of the frond never assume the
appearance of three little balls, which I have mentioned as an
excellent diagnostic of G. Dryopteris, but all the pinnules ap-
pear somewhat globular, the first pair of pinnse diifering from
GYMNOCAEPIUM EOBERTIANDM. 69
the second in little else than magnitude. In the figure at page
68, I have taken great pains to give a faithful representation of
some young fronds : I divided the stipes of each, on account of
its inconvenient length, and laying them on the block before
me, made an accurate copy, both as regards size and figure.
The stipes is much stouter and more succulent than that of G.
Dryopteris, and I think also more scaly ; it is of the same dull
green as the frond, whereas the stipes of G. Dryopteris is fre-
quently purple or blackish, and has a more wiry appearance.
The frond attains its full development in Juty, and matures its
seed in August. The form of the expanded frond is nearly tri-
angular, the base being shorter than the sides, and altogether
not unlike that of the common brakes : the pinnae are opposite ;
the first pair always have a short naked stalk ; the second pair
frequently have a similar stalk, but not invariably, and the
naked stalk of the first pair of pmnee is always shorter and
rather more slender than the maiti rachis between the first and
second pair, whereas in G. Dryopteris the three are of nearly
equal length and thickness : the pinnse are pinnate, the pin-
nules deeply pinnatifid : all parts of the frond are covered with
the "subtile tomentum" described by Hoffmann: this consists
of a number of minute stalked glands. The bend, so observa-
ble in G. Dryopteris at the point of union of its three branches,
is much less marked in G. Eobertianum. The lateral veins of
the lobes of the pinnules are undivided, and the capsules are
borne in circular clusters near the termination of each, as in
both the preceding species. These clusters become confluent
in the autumn, and form a continuous marginal series.
I have made this description comparative rather than posi-
tive, on account of the confusion which has long subsisted be-
tween two closely allied species.
This fern grows freely in the ordinary soil of gardens, but
seems peculiarly to enjoy a plentiful admixture of limestone
broken small : it suffers no injury from full exposm'e to the
sun. When cultivated in the greenhouse, it should be jjlanted
70
SMITH S FEEN.
in a large pan, containing a mixture of small pieces of lime-
stone, crumbled and sifted mortar from old walls, and free
crumbling loam : the pan being partially filled with this mix-
ture, the rhizomes should be carefully arranged on its surface,
and these again covered with the mixture to the depth of an
inch : the j)an thus prepared should be placed in the most airy
and exposed part of the greenhouse, and no shelter of any kind
placed over or around the fern.
WOODSIA ILVENSIS.
71
RAY'S WOODSIA, {natural size).
€\mdm.
Genus. — Woodsia. Caudex tufted, terminating in a crown :
midvein of ultimate divisions indistinct : lateral veins branched,
free : involucre seated near the extremity of each branch, its
base inclosing the base of a circular cluster of capsules, its
margin split into capillary segments, which mingle with the
capsules.
Species. — Ilvensis. Stipes sometimes as long as the frond,
but generally shorter, distinctly articulated towards the base :
frond lanceolate, pinnate : pinnae oblong, subopposite, pin-
natifid, scaly beneath.
72 bay's woodsia,
Acrostichum Ilveiise, Huds. Fl. Aug. 451 ; Bolt. Fil. Brit.
14, t. 9.
Polypodium arvonicum, With. Arr. 774.
Woodsia Ilvensis, B. Br. Trans. Linn. Soc. xi. 173 ; Sm. E.
F. iv. 323, E. B. S. 2616; Newtn. N. A. 13, F. 137;
Hook, and Am. 567 ; Bah. 409, ad partem.
Woodsia Raiana, Neivm. F. 140, a name suggested in 1844.
The figures of this fern in Bolton's ' Filices ' (tab. 9), ' Eng-
lish Botany' (Suppl. 2616), and Francis's ' Analysis ' (pi. i. f.
6 A), give but a very imperfect idea of the plant _; the latter is
particularly unlike. Of the continental figures I entertain so
much doubt as to their representing our British plant, that I
forbear quoting them. The doubt, of course, is equally appli-
cable to nomenclature, and I name the species as Woodsia
Ilvensis of our British authors, without attempting to prove it
the Acrostichum Ilvense of Linneus. I have no doubt that it
is the " Filix alpina, Pedicularis rubrse foliis subtus villosis "
of Ray, although this description is referred by Sir J. E. Smith
to the plant I have next described. I am extremely gratified
to find that Mr. Wilson entertains a similar opinion. In a
letter received from that gentleman, he says, " I cannot helx3
thinking that the synonym in Ray's ' Synopsis,' usually applied
to the other species, belongs to this fern, notwithstanding that
in the locality pointed out by Ray, on Snowdon, I find only W.
hyperborea, which I have never seen there ' foliis sex circiter
digitis longis,' and which less resembles Pedicularis." Ray's
description appears to me to lay stress upon all the points in
which the present plant chiefly differs from the next. There
can be scarcely a doubt that the plant now under consideration
is the Polypodium arvonicum of Withering, whose description
— " Leafits spear-shaped, wing-cleft, hairy underneath ; stem
hairy" (Arr. iii. 774), — is peculiarly apt. I am mdebted to the
kindness of Dr. Robert Brown, for specimens gathered by him-
self in the North of Europe, of the true Acrostichum Ilvense
of Linneus, one of which is figured on the opposite page ;
and these, while agreeing exactly with the authentic Linnean
specimen in the herbarium of the Linnean Society, differ so
WOODSIA IL YEN SIS.
73
much from the British plant, that I hesitate to pronounce them
identical. Should the British plant prove distinct, I beg to
propose that it should bear the name of Woodsia Eaiana. The
doubt as to this species being distinct from W. alpina (W. hy-
perborea of Smith), will again be noticed under my description
of that species.
With regard to the genus to which these little plants are re-
ferrible, considerable difference of opinion appears to prevail.
Linneus, Bolton, Liljeblad, and Hudson, place them in the
L
EAY S WOODSIA.
genus Acrostichum : Withering, Sowerby, Willdenow, Sprengel,
Schkuhr, Wahlenberg, and Presl, in the genus Pol^^podium :
Lamarck and DecandoUe in the genus Ceterach : Smith, Hook-
er, Sadler, and Babington, in the genus Woodsia, instituted by
Dr. Robert Brown purposely to receive them : my own judg-
ment, if deduced from an inspection of the plants only, and
without reference to books, would lead me to unite the genera
Woodsia and Cystopteris. The description of this genus was
published in the eleventh volume of the Linnean ' Transac-
tions,' and its distinguishing character consists in the peculiar
structure of the involucre, which is inserted under the cluster
of capsules, the attachment of which it surrounds, while its
margin, as in the linear involucre of Pteris, already described,
is split into a number of articulated capillary segments, which
intermingle with the capsules and partially conceal them.
The geographical range of Woodsia Ilvensis is somewhat
extensive. It is of common occurrence in Norway, Lapland,
Sweden, and Northern Eussia : it occurs, but less frequently,
in Denmark, Germany, Hungary, France, Italy, and Spain,
and extends throughout Siberia into Kamtchatka : it is also
recorded as a native of North America. But in the whole of
these instances I can only speak as to the record of the name ;
I will not venture to assert that the British plant is thus
widely distributed.
In Britain this is one of the rarest of our ferns : it roots in
the fissures of rocks in the most bleak and exposed mountain-
ous regions : it has hitherto occurred to botanists in two coun-
ties in England, one in Wales, and probably three or four in
Scotland : but this excessive rarity is perhaps partly ideal, as
every year seems to extend the number of ascertained localities.
FoEFABSHiEE. — I am indebted to Dr. GreviUe for a specimen from the
Clova mountains ; and the very fine specimen represented at fig. c (page
71), was gathered in August, 1836, in Glen Fiadh, by Mr. WUson, who
most obligingly favoured me with the drawing, of which that figure is afac
simiU copy. Mr. Tatham, of Settle, the Messrs. Backhouse, Mr. West-
combe, and several other botanists, have observed it in the same glen.
WOODSIA LLVENSIS. 75
DuMFBiBSSHiBB and Peeblesshire. — The chief station in the United
Kingdom for Woodsia Ilvensis appears to be the vicinity of Moffat and
Kirkpatriok, near the northern boundary of the county of Dumfries. The
first notice is from Mr. WilHam Stevens, under date of December, 1848 ;
it was published in the January number of the ' Phytologist ' for 1849,
and is as follows ; — " Woodsia Ilvensis : this rare and handsome little fern
I found in considerable abundance, on very steep crumbling rooks, amongst
the hills dividing the counties of Dumfries and Peebles, in July last. It
is growing in dense tufts in the crevices of the rocks, and very luxuriant,
many of the fronds measuring nearly six inches in length.'' — Phytol. iii.
393. My next information is from the Rev. William Little, who says
" it is found in several stations on the Moffat Hills : one of these stations
is On the farm of Gorehead, about four miles north of the town of Moffat.
The plant here grows upon exposed rocks, its roots often wedged in their
crevices, so as to render it difficult, and in some cases impossible, to extri-
cate them. Another locality is about six miles east of this, in a ravine
near Loch Skene. Here the fern grows among crumbling rooks, and often
spreads its roots under loose stones. In this station it attains a much lar-
ger size than in the former. The altitude of the former looahty is about
1,200 feet, of the latter, 2,000." My third correspondent on this sub-
ject is Mr. Johnstone, of Catlins, near Dumfries, who writes thus : — "In
the autumn of 1850, while botanizing over the mountains bordering Dum-
friesshire and Selkirkshire, with a description of the habitat furnished by a
friend, who had previously seen it, I succeeded in finding the Woodsias in
a beautiful little glen, of very brittle clay-slate formation, scattered over
with birch and mountain ash, and having a little mountain rivulet running
through it. At one part the glen turns, making an obtuse angle, and the
Woodsias are only to be found on the right hand side, and do not pass the
angle ; they grow over a space of about two hundred yards, beginning at
a foot from the ground, and ascending the almost perpendicular rocks to
the height of thirty feet. Pursuing the same route in 1851, I had the
pleasure of discovering another station, some miles distant, in the same
formation, and having the same aspect, the only noticeable differences being
that the second glen is wider and longer, with more soil on the rocks, and
that consequently the plants are much more luxuriant in their growth, the
fronds being six and seven inches long.''
Ddeham. — Mr. Winch, in his 'Flora of Northumberland and Durham,'
gives these locahties : — " Near the summit of some bold basaltic rocks,
called Falcon Glints, about ten miles west of Middleton, in Teesdale, Mr.
S. Halestone. At the foot of basaltic rooks, on the Durham side of the
river Tees, about two hundred yards below Cauldron Snout, Mr. J. Back-
house." Mr. Winch observes that these localities must be near together.
Mr. Simpson observed the plant there in 1838, and has kindly presented
76 ray's woodsia.
me with a frond. " Eeorossing the bridge," says that gentleman, " we
pursued the course of the stream, which, almost immediately below the
Snout, takes a sudden turn, and thus we found our track hemmed in by
the over-laden Tees on our right hand, and the lofty basaltic rocks called
Falcon Chnts on our left. My eye was now anxiously directed to the face
of these rocks, to discover, if possible, the chief object in taking our present
com-se — Woodsia Ilvensis. Kain now began to fall heavily, and the wmd,
which had been all day very tempestuous, bore it against us so as to render
observation, either of looahty or objects, very imperfect. However, after
tracing, as near as I can judge, about four hundred yards, I espied some
small specks of green through the broken fragments of a stream which
poured over the Glints, and under which T soon stood, pulling hastily the
patches T had seen, and these, to my delight, proved to be two small plants
of the Woodsia, mixed with a few fronds of Asplenium viride and Cysto-
pteris fragilis." Mr. King found several specimens in ]841. "Here,''
saj's Mr. King, " I cast around many an anxious look for Woodsia Ilvensis ;
at length, after much searching, and a good wetting from the drip of the
water from the huge basaltic rocks, to my great joy I espied two small
plants, which were instantly secured : a little farther on we saw three more
under a bush of Prunus Padus, but, not lildng to destroy the plant, we left
the roots of these in the crevice of the rock where they were growing." Mr.
J. Backhouse, jun., Mr. Babington, Mr. Borrer, and other botanists, have
repeatedly verified this Falcon Glints station ; and I have to acknowledge
my thanks to these botanists for the opportunity of examinmg and compar-
ing specimens, and to Mr. Kippist for a specimen gathered in the same looa-
hty by Mr. Woods : the five fronds represented at b, in the cut at page
VI, are from this station, (see Phytol. i. 74 and 1 14).
Westjiobeland. — The follo\^ing interesting note ajjpeared in the ' Phy-
tologist' for October, 1842. " On the 17th of 8th month [August], 1798,
my father gathered a single frond of a fern from Grosby-Ravensworth
Church, Westmoreland. Being unable to name it, he showed it to several
botanists in London, who could not decide what it was ; Lewis Dillwyn at
length sent it to Sir J. E. Smith, who returned the specimen labelled as
follows: — 'Polypodium arvonicum, With, et Fl. Brit. J. E. Smith. P.
ilvense. With, d Acrost. ilvense, Hiids. (not Linn.) Acr. alpinum, Bolt.'
The original specimen is now in my possession, with Sir J. E. Smith's auto-
graph ; the frond is 3 J inches in length, from the bottom of the rachis to
the apex, and about '2 inches from the lowest pinnse to the apex. The
church has been pulled down within the last few years." — Silvanus Thomp-
son, in Phytol. i. 331. I have not seen this specimen, and therefore enter-
tain a doubt whether it belong to this species or the next. "Anew station
for Woodsia Ilvensis has been found in Westmoreland. As it is many miles
from the Teesdale habitat, I consider it an interesting and important
WOODSIA ILVENSIS. 77
discovery. It was found by Isaac Hudhart, a gardener, who has stu-
died the ferns, and has been very successful in finding all the best
ferns of the district. He has wisely told no one about the locality of the
Woodsia but myself ; for I consider it absolutely necessary to keep secure
the habitats of good ferns now, as, if known, they are sure to be extermi-
nated. There may be about twenty plants.'' — Mr. F. Clowes, in Phytol.
iv. 1134. I am indebted to Mr. Clowes for a frond from this locality, and
find it correctly named.
Caeknaevonshire. — Mr. Wilson found this fern near Llyn-y-cwn,
on Glyder Vawr, in 1834 ; and it has since been seen by Mr. Roberts,
of Bangor, and I believe several other botanists, directed to the spot
by Mr. Wilson. I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Wilson and Mr.
Pamplin, for specimens from the Llyn-y-cwn locality ; the two fronds
represented at a, on page 71, are from this station. Dr. Allchin informs
me that he found this species near Llyn-y-cwn in 1851 ; and I am also in-
formed by another botanist that he has found it "above" Llyn-y-cwn. My
correspondent says that " as many as a hundred plants are visible, fortu-
nately, however, nearly the whole of them are inaccessible, and cannot pos-
sibly be obtained without the assistance of a ladder." — Phytol. iii. 739.
When I received this information I quite supposed the station the same as
Mr. Wilson's, but now I think otherwise, for the plant has since been found
in two stations, one above, the other below, Llyn-y-cwn. Mr. Latimer
Clark discovered a third station, " on rocks of a peculiar character, resem-
bling Umestone, which crop out on the Glyder or left hand side of the Pass
of LlanberiSj looking towards Capel Curig : there may be a dozen small
plants scattered over the rock, which is barren, arid, and exposed, and the
plant seems dwindling to extinction." William Williams, an active and
intelligent Snowdon guide, is but too well acquainted with the Snowdonian
stations of both the Woodsias : I don't think he would willingly extermi-
nate them, but he is subject to such constant soUcitations from botanical
tourists to be conducted to the localities, that the utter extermination of
these ferns from all accessible places is not only certain, but also imminent.
A passage from Ray's ' Synopsis ' should be quoted here, since it goes
far to show that both this species and the next have been found on Clog-
wyn-y-Gamedh ; the comparison of the leaves with those of Pedicularis
seems to agree with the present species. " FiUcula Alpina Pedicularis
rubris foliis subtus vUlosis. Small Stone Fern with Ued-ratth leaves hairy
underneath. Nusquam vidimus quam in udis scopulis Clogwyny Qarnedh
dictis juxta summitatem mentis Gwydhvae totius Cambrise altissimi. D.
Lloyd. E petrarum rimis emergit, non erecta sed aliquantulum procum-
bens Ceterach aut Trichomanis ad instar, foliis sex oirciter digitos longis.
It's a very rare plant even at Snowdon."' — Syn. p. 27.
KAY S WOODSIA.
The radicles are black, wiry, and sparingly branched : the
caudex is thick, tufted, and lasting many years : the stipes is
very distinctly jointed at a distance of three quarters of an inch
from its junction with the caudex ; the articulation is swollen,
and very obvious to the naked eye when the frond is mature ;
at this xJoint, so far as my observation has extended, separation
generally takes place, the basal portion of each stipes adhering
to the caudex. This very interesting character, common to all
plants of the genus, is well described by Wahlenberg (Fl, Lapp.)
The stipes, above this joint, as well as the rachis, is clothed
with lanceolate scales, and glittering articulated hairs. Mr.
WoUaston, whose valuable observations on the British ferns
under cultivation are interspersed throughout this little mono-
graph, informs me that the vernation of this fern usually begins
about the middle of March ; it then throws up a tuft of elon-
gated " shepherd's-crook-formed " fronds, which are densely
covered beneath with light-coloured, chaffy, and hairy scales,
and which exhibit no appearance whatever of fructification,
even until they have attained a considerable degree of maturity.
The form of the frond is lanceolate and pinnate : the pinnae are
in pairs and generally opposite at the base of the frond, but
becoming alternate towards the apex ; thej^ are sessile, oblong,
obtuse, deeply lobed, and in some specimens pinnatifid, in
which case the lobes are crenate, as in figure c, (page 71) : the
upper surface of the frond appears smooth to the naked eye,
but under a lens of high power, a few long bristle-like scales are
observable, all of them pointmg outwards ; the under surface
appears pubescent, and, with the aid of a lens, this pubescence
is found to consist, first, of very long, pointed, narrow scales,
which are more particularly abundant about the midrib ; se-
condly, of glittering anjd articulated hairs, which are scattered
over nearly the entire surface ; and, tldnlly, of the capillary
segments of the involucres, which are also glittering and arti-
culated. The capsules are j)laced in circular clusters near the
margins of the lobes or pinnules ; they are frequently concealed
by the pubescence already described.
WOODSIA ALPINA.
79
BOLTON'S WOODSIA, (natural size).
Genus. — Woodsia, (see page 71).
Species. — Alpina. Caudex tufted : stipes shorter than the
frond, articulated near its base : frond narrow-linear, x^innate :
pinnse alternate, deltoid, obtuse, lobed.
^^nm-^mts, fyum, k.
Polypodium fontanum, Herb. Linn.
Acrostichum Ilvense, With. Arr. 649.
.80 Bolton's woodsia.
Acrosticlium alpinum, Bolt. Fil. Brit. 76, t. 43.
Acrostichum liyperboreum, Liljehlad, St. Tr. 201, t. 8.
Woodsia hyperborea, B. Br. Tr. Linn. Soc. xi. 173 ; Sm. E.
F. iv. 323, ?E. B. 2033 ; Hook, and Am. 567.
Woodsia alpina, Neivm. N. A. 13, F. 143, Phyt. App. xxvii.
This little fern is excellently represented by Bolton, whose
figure is so like my own that I thought it quite unnecessary to
copy it, otherwise I should have done so, with a view of con-
firming the specific name ; also by Bauer (in illustration of Dr.
Robert Brown's paper in the Linnean ' Transactions '), and by
several continental authors.
With regard to the specific name, I have proposed a change
which may, at first sight, apj)ear to be somewhat capricious, but
which, when investigated, will, I trust, be found in accordance
with the received principles of botanical nomenclature. The
specific name of " hyperborea " has been applied to this plant
by Liljeblad, Swartz, Willdenow, Brown, Wahlenberg, Smith,
Hooker, and many other botanists ; indeed, it seems so sanc-
tioned by authority, that it is not without great reluctance that
I venture on the alteration which I will now attempt to justi-
fy. The first description of this fern that I can find is that in
Bolton's ' Filices ; ' it is under the name of Acrostichum alpi-
num, and is as follows : — -"The root of this little Acrostichum
consists of a few black, hard branches, connected to a small
head, and furnished with black, hard, capillary fibres. The
rib of the first leaf, when fuU grown, is about three inches high,
of a pale brownish green colour, slender, and smooth, being
quite destitute of hairs. Second leaves six or seven pairs, op-
posite below, alternate above, of a triangular figure, obtuse at
the corners of three or four of the lower pairs, but all of equal
size and remote, two or three of the upper gradually lessening
and growing closer together. Lobes of the second leaves most
commonly five, two on each side of the rib and one at the end ;
they are of a roundish figure, grow close together, and are ob-
scurely crenated round the margin. The colour on the upper
side is a brownish kind of green ; the under side thickly covered
with a brown hairy nap. The lower figure represents one of
the second leaves as it appeared when a little magnified : the
seed-vessels are disposed in three or four clusters on each lobe,
partly hidden among the numerous strong brown hairy filaments,
WOODSIA ALPINA. 81
by which also the whole under side of the leaf, quite to the mar-
gin, is thickly covered. The specimen above described is very
exactly figured on plate 42, and is a plant so perfectly distinct
from the Acrostichum Ilvense, in its usual state, that it seems
to me unreasonable to suppose them both of the same species.
The Acrostichum Ilvense, described in the former part of this
work (page 14), and accurately figured on plate 9, was brought
from Snowdon. Oeder, in ' Flora Danica,' has given an excel-
lent figure of the same plant (tab. 391), and the figure in Pluk.
Phyt. tab. 179, fig. 4 (which is cited by Linneus in Flo. Suecica,
ed. 2, No. 938), agrees pretty aptly with both Oeder's and my
own. But all are very different from the Acrostichum alpi-
num above described. The specimen figured on plate 42 was
brought from Scotland, but the plant is also a native of South
Britain, for in a volume of dried i)lants, collected by the late
Mr. Knowlton, I have seen specimens of the same plant with
this note in his own handwriting : — ' From the mountains of
Wales.' From these and some other circumstances I am in-
duced to thiak that two species of British ferns have been con-
founded together under the name of Acrostichum Ilvense, and
I believe that future observation will confirm the truth now
discovered."
I have quoted the description entire, in order to remove any
doubt as to the plant now under consideration being identical
with that described by Bolton, although the testimony of Brown
and Smith, who cite Bolton's name as a synonyme, might per-
haps be deemed sufficient to decide this branch of the inquiry.
We then arrive at the question of date. Bolton's work on the
British ferns, although paged continuously, was- published in
two parts, the first at Leeds, in 1785, the second at Hudders-
field, in 17 90; Acrostichum alpinum occurs in the second part.
The name of Acrostichum hyperboreum was published by Lil-
jeblad in the Stockholm ' Transactions ' for 1793, and is the
authority quoted by Smith and others. Liljeblad's descrip-
tion may possibly be dated one year earlier : but admitting this,
we rnust still give Bolton a priority of two years, quite suffi-
cient to decide a question of nomenclature : yet it is somewhat
remarkable that Lamarck and Decandolle are the only authors
who have adopted the specific name of alpinum.
IE
b'J bolton's woodsia.
On the continent of Europe this fern has been observed in
Norway, Lapland, Sweden, European and Asiatic Eussia, Ger-
many, Hungary, Switzerland, France and Spain. I am not
aware of its occurrence in Africa, but in North America a
closely approximate species has been found on the Rocky
Mountains, which is, however, considered distinct by Dr. Ro-
bert Brown, who has described it under the name of Woodsia
glabella.
In Great Britain its ascertained range seems restricted to
two Scotch and one Welch county.
Perthshieb. — According to Smith and other authorities, Mr. Dickson,
Mr. G. Don, and the Rev. Dr. Stuart, found this plant on Ben Lawers.
Mr. Wilson informs me that he found it on Ben Lawers, Mael-dun-Crosk,
Craig-Challiach, and other mountains, in 1827, and again on Ben Lawers
in 1836 : Dr. Balfour found it again on Ben Lawers in 1847, (Phytol. iii.
81) ; Mr. Watson gives me Craig- Challiach, on the authority of Mr.
Maughan ; and, lastly, Mr. Johnstone informs me that he has beautiful
specimens gathered in August, 1853, on Ben Lawers, in the parish of
Kenmare.
FoRFABSHiBE. — Dr. Balfour gathered this Uttie fern in Glen Fiadh in
1847, (Phytol. iii. 81).
Ddmfbiesshibe ? — The Rev. Mr. Little thinks that Woodsia alpiaa
does not grow on the Moffat Hills ; Mr. Johnstone, on the contrary, tliinks
the form so designated does grow in that looaUty, and has obligingly sent
me a frond which certainly goes far to coiToborate this ophiion : but then,
he also expresses a doubt as to the distinctness of the two. His remarks
on this subject are as follow : — " You inquire whether both species of
Woodsia grow at the station on the Moffat HUls. I may answer that the
only differences that I can see between the supposed species, are that the
pmnfe of alpina are a little more rounded than those of Ilvensis usually are,
and that the stipes of Ilvensis is of a reddish brown colour, while that of alpina
is greener : in all other respects they are alike. They have the same scat-
tered roundish sori ; the same hairy and chaffy stipes and raohis ; and the
same lanceolate and pinnate fronds. Can the sUght differences I have no-
ticed constitute a species ? I think not. I have now before me more than
fifty fronds, and no two of them are alilie. I think that alpina may, with
all safety, be set down as a variety of Ilvensis, and not a very mai-ked one.
I have cultivated them for some years, and find them retain their peou-
WOODSIA ALPINA. 83
liarities. The glens in whioh the Woodsias occur ran exactly North and
South, and consequently face East and West ; the Woodsias almost inva-
riably occur with a West exposure." I must also add, in contravention of
Mr. Johnstone's opinion, a remark of Mr. Wollaston, which is verified by
the observation of Mr. Backhouse, jun., that Woodsia Ilvensis occasionally
produces fronds hke those of W. alpina ; and therefore, the fact that such
fronds occur on the Moffat Hills, does not necessarily prove the identity of
the two species.
Oaebnabvonshibe. — This fern was found by Mr. Wilson on Clogwyn-
y-Garnedh, one cf the precipices of Snowdon which faces the East, as
observed by that botanist, on whose authority Smith corrected a supposed
error of Eay and others, who describe the precipice as facing the North-
west. Mr. Wilson's habitat, as well as the aspect of that habitat, is abun-
dantly confirmed below ; but another botanist, who wishes to remain ano-
nymous, confirms Ray's description as well. He says, " You are wrong in
accepting Wilson's alteration of the aspect of Ray's habitat. Woodsia
grows abundantly on these precipices, facing both the East and the North-
west; the name of Clogwyn-y-Garnedh applies equally to both aspects, and
as to the species, I cannot say which : are there really two ? " I should
not quote a writer who chooses to remam anonymous, but that I feel a real
pleasure in confirming any statement of our immortal Ray, and I know
that my correspondent's statement is to be relied on. Mr. Latimer Clark,
whose engagements in connexion with the building of the tubular bridge
over the Menai detained him for months in the Snowdon district, found
this fern in two localities. He says, " Woodsia alpina grows in that vast
chasm called Clogwyn-y-Gamedh, which forms the eastern precipice of
Snowdon. It occurs on some almost inaccessible rocks facing the East,
above the lake called Glas Llyu : the rock is of a pecuhar character, unhke
other rocks in the neighbourhood, and resembles hmestone : the ledges on
which the fern grows cannot be reached without great danger, and many of
them are perfectly inaccessible, so that there is no danger of its eradication.
The same rock crops out in the Pass of Llanberis, facing the North, on the
Snowdon side of the Pass, and here it is again accompanied by Woodsia
alpina, but most of the ledges where it gi-ows are of an equally unapproach-
able character." In August, 1853, Mr George Maw visited this Llanberis
Pass locality, and brought away some very beautiful specimens, which he
has most kindly shown me : the rock on which they occur is called Moel
Sichog ; it is on the right or Snowdon side of the Pass, going from Llan-
beris towards Capel Cerig.
I cannot conclude this notice of habitats without expressing
my warmest thanks to the gentlemen who have so kindly and
readily responded to all my inquiries.
84 BOI/roX 8 WOODSIA.
After so ample a description as that already quoted from
Bolton, it may perhaps be thought unnecessary to give one of
my own ; but I scarcely think myself justified in such a depar-
ture from my usual course as to omit it. The radicles are
black, wiry, and branched : the caudex is tufted, large in pro-
portion to the entire plant, and apparently very enduring. In
its vernation this species, as Mr. WoUaston informs me, differs
essentially from Woodsia Ilvensis : it forms a crest of simply
circinate fronds, much more thinly clothed than Ilvensis with
buff-coloured scales, and its clusters of capsules are very con-
spicuous, even in its youngest state, and immediately it begins
to unfold : unlike those of Ilvensis, its fronds are almost per-
sistent, the plant appearing to be scarcely ever in a state of
perfect rest. The stipes is slender, and nearly smooth ; it has
a few small, scattered, and pointed scales, and some very slen-
der articulated hairs, amounting in a very young state to a fine
pubescence, but both these appear to be easily removed, since
in nearly all the mature dried specimens I have seen, they were
entirely wanting : the stipes is articulated, like that of the pre-
ceding species ; and I have a specimen which has two articula-
tions, a circumstance which I imagine is of unusual occurrence.
The shape of the frond is long, narrow, linear, and pinnate :
the pinnee are perfectly separate, sometimes distant, almost in-
variably alternate, and in shape somewhat triangular, the angles
being rounded ; they are lobed ; the lobes are five or seven in
number, and very obtuse ; the first superior lobe is sometimes
considerably larger than the rest, and slightly notched ; the
apex of the frond is pinnatifid and pointed : the margins and
uiider surface of the pinnae are sparingly fui'nished with articu-
lated hairs. The venation is rather anomalous : no joarticular
vein appears to possess a very decided superiority over the
others; they are occasionally simple, but generally divided into
two or three branches ; they do not quite reach the margin of
the pinna, and the clusters of capsules, when present, are pla-
ced at their extremity : figure a in the cut on the opposite page
represents a pinna of this species, with the capsules in situ ;
figure b shows the venation, and the points of attachment of
\V()01>KIA ALPINA.
85
the capsules after their removal. It may also be here observed,
that figure c represents a somewhat intermediate form from
Scotland ; figure d another from Llyn-y-cwn, and, judging from
the locality, probably referrible to W. Ilvensis ; and figure e, a
plant of the present species from Ben Lawers.
Concerning the distinctness of spe-
cies so similar as this and the preced-
ing, much difference of opinion must
always prevail. It will be seen, by my
quotation from Bolton, that that au-
thor strongly insists on maintaining
them as species. Sir J. E. Smith also
considers them distinct ; in describing
this species, he contrasts the charac-
ters of the two in these words : — " Ra-
ther smaller than the foregoing, and
less [ ? more ] upright, with a more
[? less] rusty aspect. Stalk less elas-
tic. Leaflets shorter, rounder, with
more rounded lobes, and broader at
the base, not quite so deeply pinnatifid.
The two species appear to me to be
very distinct, though similar." — Eng.
Flora, iv. 333. Sadler gives them as
distinct, without a comment, but does
not appear to me to distinguish them
very cleverly by his descriptions, (' De
Filicibus Veris,' p. 45). Wahlenberg
insists on their distinctness, drawing
an elaborate contrast between them,
(Fl. Lapp. 980). Lastly, Mr. Wilson
remarks, " I have never had the least
difiiculty in distinguishing these plants,
the first by its ovate, the second by its
oblong, pinnae," (Phytol. i. V4). All these are weighty authori-
ties ; but, on the other side, I find others equally entitled to
respect. Dr. Robert Brown observes, — " These two plants are
indeed so nearly related that I find myself unable to construct
for them clear specific characters, and therefore, in proposing
them here as distinct species, I am, from want of sufiicient
86 Bolton's woodsia.
materials to determine the question, rather following the prevail-
ing opinion than my own."- — -Trans. Linn. Soc. ix. 172. Mr.
Babington has treated them as forms of one species, and makes
this observation : — " Our plants appear to form but one spe-
cies, although they present three very different appearances."
— ' Manual,' 409.
Both this fern and the preceding are comparatively easy of
cultivation under glass, care being taken to avoid excessive
heat : no sunshine whatever should be allowed to reach them,
not so much from any ill effect to be apprehended from the di-
rect rays of the sun, as from the excess of heat always produced
in a glazed case from the shining of the sun thereon : sunshine,
accompanied by the fresh mountain breeze, is perfectly innocu-
ous. If potted, the pot should be first filled with thin pieces
of stone, placed vertically ; basalt, commonly known as " dew
stone " granite, freestone, and sandstone, have all been found
to answer : after the stone has been arranged so as to surround
the rim of the pot, the radicles of the fern should be carefully
arranged between the central pieces, leaving the crown of the
caudex just visible : then prepare a finely sifted mixture of
thoroughly decayed leaf-mould, silver sand, and peat earth ;
introduce this in a nearlj^ dry state, and gently shake it down
amongst the stones, until all the interstices are filled : on wa-
tering the surface, this light mould will probably disappear ; it
should be repeatedly filled up and watered, until the fragments
of stone only crop out here and there above the surface of the
IDot. Mr. Wollaston slightly differs in his directions for culti-
vating these ferns, recommending the addition of loam, as mort
retentive of moisture.
The Rev. Mr. Little informs me that Woodsia Ilvensis grows
freely with him in a cool greenhouse, and also under a frame,
but that it thrives still more freely in the open air, in a shady
corner of the garden. W. alpina is more difficult to cultivate :
he has lost it several times. Mr. Little adds that the Moffat
Hills are of the lower Silurian formation.
CYSTOPTEEIS FRAGILIS.
87
BEITTLE FEEN, {natural size).
Genus. — Cystopteris. Midvein of ultimate divisions dis-
tinct but sinuous : lateral veins branched, free : involucre
attached almost beneath the mass of capsules, half way between
the midvein and the extremity, directed at first backwards, then
BRITTLE FERN.
upwards, then forwards, and almost covering the circular mass
of young capsules like a hood, its anterior margin split into
unequal and often capillary segments, like that of Woodsia.
Species. — Fragilis. Caudex elongated horizontally but
very slowly, its elongation due solely to the development and
decay of fronds, its growing extremity erect, crowned with un-
developed fronds : stipes shorter than the frond : frond erect,
lanceolate, pinnate : pinnse ascending, distinct, suboi3posite,
pinnate : involucre generally present : seeds echinate : colour
dull green.
Sponptts, i'lpus, &L
Polypodium fragile, Linn. Sp. PI. 1553; Light/. Fl. Scot. 677 ;
mids. Fl. Ang. 459 ; With. Arr. 779.
Polipodium fragile. Bolt. Fil. Brit. 50, t. 27 & 4 6.
Polypodium rhseticum, Huds. Fl. Ang. 458; With. Arr. 780 ;
Bolt. Fil. Brit, part ii. 80, t. 45, but certainly not oi Linn.
Sp. PI. 1552, as cited by early English authors.
Polypodium polymorphum, Villars, Dauph. iii. 847.
Polypodium dentatum, Dicks. Crypt, fasc. iii. 1, t. 7, f. 1, Id.
H. Sice. fasc. 16 ; With. Arr. 776.
Polj^odium trifidum, With. Arr. 779.
Cyathea fragihs. Roth, Fl. Germ. iii. 94.
Cystea fragilis, Sm.E. F. iv. 298, E. B. 1587.
Cystea dentata, Sm. E. F. iv. 300, E. B. 1588.
Cystea angustata, Sm. E. F. iv. 301.
Cystea regia, Sm. E. F. iv. 302, ad partem, i. e., excluding
the plant found on the garden-wall at Low Layton, which
has not been gathered wild in Britain.
Cistopteris fragilis, Mack. Fl. Hib. 341.
Cystopteris fragilis, Newm. N. A. 15, F. 18, 149; Hook, and
Am. 572; Bah. 413.
Cysto]3teris dentata, Bab. 412, and Moore, 71, excluding
Dickieanum, Sim.
There are many very beautiful and characteristic figures of
this fern : those in Bolton's 'Filices,' under the names of Poly-
podium rhseticum and P. fragile (tab. 44 — 46), yield to none in
excellence.
CYSTOPTERIS FEA&ILIS. 89
The little ferns constituting the present group, were com-
prised under the name of Polypodium fragile by Linneus and
our earlier authors ; Sprengel, Willdenow, Schkuhr, Wahlen-
berg, and other emment botanists, make them Aspidia. Bern-
hardi was the first to separate them from this unmanageably
extensive group, under the generic name of Cystopteris ; Roth
gave them the name of Cyathea, and Smith that of Cystea, the
latter being a mere alteration from Bernhardi's prior name,
because Cystopteris is " compounded of another established "
name, Pteris, (Eng. Flor. iv. 285). The name has been altered
to Cistopteris by several modern authors, an orthography at
variance with the Greek derivation : in fact, there is no suffi-
cient reason for altering or modifying a name that possesses
the acknowledged right to adoption on account of its priority.
My views having in more than one instance undergone con-
siderable modification as regards the limits of species, I turned
my attention to the cultivation of the beautiful little ferns I
have always grouped together under the name of Cystopteris
fragilis, in the hope of discovering some characters whereby the
various forms might be satisfactorily distinguished from each
other. Several botanists of eminence have undertaken, some-
what too readily, the establishment of new species ; dwarf size,
imperfect fructification, or even, in more than one instance,
mere accidental deformity, having furnished the chief diagnos-
tic. Now, as in Zoology we endeavour to refer the females and
young, and even individuals that have undergone mutilation,
to the same species as the adult male, so would I, in ferns, ra-
ther refer specimens which appear in any degree imperfect to
some established species, expressing a doubt if I entertained
one, than separate such imperfect specimens under a new ap-
pellation. In every attempt I make to establish or ascertain a
species, I find it most satisfactory to dismiss entirely all such
specimens, to refuse all cognizance of them, and to contrast
the most perfect and most fruitful fronds only. For, as in
Zoology we find specific differences most satisfactorily deve-
loped in adults, so shall we also find in ferns ; and if essential
differences really exist, we shall be sure to see those differences
more clearly when Nature has brought the objects under con-
sideration to their highest state of perfection, maturity, and
beauty. Entertaining these views, I have dismissed from the
N
90 BRITTLE FERN.
inquiry — as regards the species of Cystopteris — not only all
seedling, immature, barren or monstrous fronds, but also all
those which appeared to owe their peculiarities to the varied
degrees of drought or moisture, elevation, protection or expo-
sure, or the numerous other casualties to which so hardy yet
fragile a fern is by its nature subjected ; and to compare those
only which, cultivated under corresponding circumstances, had
arrived at a corresponding state of maturity. The result of a
very careful scrutiny of a number of plants, received through
the great kindness and exertion of botanical friends, under the
names of fragilis, dentata, angustata, and alpina, is, that I am
unable to give my assent to the species described by Sir J.
E. Smith, or to propose others for substitution in theii* stead.
I find that differences, however striki n g, subside under cul-
tivation ; and that almost entire uniformity obtains amongst
greenhouse plants, which, when found growing under varied
circumstances of soil, aspect and altitude, exliibited great dis-
crepancies as to size and subdivision of parts. Under these
circumstances, I prefer treating them still as constituent parts
of a single species, not even naming as varieties those aber-
rations from normal figure which possess no permanency.
tapljiral imtp.
This pretty and fragile, but very hardy species, has an ex-
tended range in the northern temperate regions, extending to
very high latitudes. In Em^ope it occurs in Norway, Lapland,
Sweden, Russia, Denmark, Poland, France, Germany, Hun-
gary, Portugal, Spain and Italy ; it extends throughout Asiatic
Russia into Kamtkatcha, and has been gathered on the shores
of Kotzebue Sound and Eschscholtz Bay ; it is frequent in Ca-
nada and the Northern States of America ; it is also reported
from Northern and Southern Africa, and from the Islands of
the Pacific Ocean.
In Great Britain it also has a wide range.
Scotland. — Observed more or less abundantly in every county I visited.
'England. — In the northern counties, Northumberland, Cumberland,
Durham, Westmoreland, Lancashire and Yorkshire, it is very abundant ;
so also in Derbyshire and Staffordshire, and, further south, in Gloucester-
CYSTOPTEMS FEAGLLIS. 91
shire, Wiltshire and 8omersetshii-e : it has a few scattered localities in
Cheshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and
Devonshire; and in Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Norfolk, Suffolk,
Essex, Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Dorsetshire, it is said to have been found
here and there on churches and in villages.
Wai.es. — Frequent, more especially in hilly regions, both North and
South.
Ireland. — Generally a rare fern : it occurs, however, in immense pro-
fusion about Shgo, and also in some parts of Kerry ; and is reported from
Antrim, Down, Leitrim, Wicklow, and Cork.
The radicles are numerous, black, and wiry : the caudex is
elongated horizontally but very slowly, the extremity always
having a vertical position, and terminating in a crown of unex-
panded fronds. The fronds begin to unfold early in the spring,
and appear very evanescent, generally arriving at maturity in
a few weeks ; a constant succession of fronds is produced
throughout the summer and autumn, but all disappear with the
first frosts of winter. The general form of the frond is lanceo-
late and pinnate : the pinnae are also pinnate ; but beyond this
they appear to possess no character in common. The length
of the stipes is very various. The lateral veins are alternate,
and each is usually divided into three or four branches, one
extending to every serrature in each lobe of the pinnule. The
lower detached figure in the cut at page 87, represents a pin-
nule, showing the veins and poiats of attachment of the cap-
sules ; the figure immediately above it represents a lobe of the
same pinnule : almost every vein bears a cluster of capsules
near its extremity ; the cluster is nearly circular, and has a
loose, white, membranous involucre, attached on one side only,
beneath the capsules ; its margin, at the farthest extremity
from its attachment, is striated, and becomes split into capil-
lary segments, or sometimes torn in a ragged manner, and at
length entirely disappears : the clusters of capsules rapidly in-
crease in size, frequently becoming confluent, as represented at
page 87, where the apex of a frond, with confluent clusters, is
shown towards the upper right hand of the cut. In cultivation, I
92
BRITTLE PERX.
have observed that sometimes, from the plant receiving a check
from exposure or improper treatment, the masses remain of
small size, and covered with the involucre, even after the frond
has withered.
What I have already written under the head of Synonymes
&c., precludes the necessity of observations on varieties ; I will,
however, mention, that the late Samuel Gibson, of Hebden
Bridge, obligingly gave me a number of pretty and diminutive
fronds, which he gathered at Burnley, near Colne, in Lanca-
shire ; five of these are represented below.
CYSTOPTEBIS DICKIEANA.
93
DICKIE'S FERN, {natural size).
dtlaraftm.
Genus. — Ctstopteris, (see page 87).
Species. — Dickieana. Caudex elongated horizontally, but
very slowly, its elongation due solely to the successive develop-
ment and decay of fronds : stipes very much shorter than the
frond : frond erect, rigid, lanceolate, pinnate : pinnae deflexed,
broad, overlapping, crowded, subopposite, pinnatifid : clusters of
capsules submarginal, very distinct : involucre generally want-
ing ; seeds verrucate : colour bright somewhat glossy green.
94 Dickie's pern.
Cystopteris Dickieana, Sim, Gard. Journ. p. 308 ; Newm.
Phytol. Afp. xxyi.
Mr. Babington makes a second species of Cystopteris, under
the name of dentata, and places Dickieana as a variety thereof;
(Man. 412). Sir W. J. Hooker gives dentata as a variety of
fragilis, and angustata of Smith as a mere synonyme of that
variety; he makes no mention of Dickieana : (Sp. Fil. i. 198).
Mr. Watson heads his first species of Cystopteris thus : —
" 1379. Cystopteris fragilis, Bernh.
1379, b. Cystopteris dentata, Hook.
1379, c. Cystopteris angustata, ' Sm.'
Cystopteris Dickieana (Sim.) Neivm."
Mr. W. correctly adding, " opinions differ much as to whether
one species only, or several species are included under the
above quoted names : " (Cyb. Brit. iii. 258). The authors of
the ' London Catalogue ' give b. dentata as a variety of fragilis,
and do not mention Dickieana or angustata. Lastly, Mr.
Moore says, " I am inclined to think C. dentata to be suffi-
ciently distinct to take rank as a species, and to look upon C.
Dickieana as an extreme form of it; " (p. 77) : but he gives
only two species of Cystopteris, fragilis and montana; thus
appearing, in the same breath, to express and renounce an
opinion. My own judgment, improved, but by no means ma-
tured, by the observations of sixteen years, regards dentata
as a nonentity, angustata as a synonyme of that nonentity, and
Dickieana as a possible, but by no means established, species.
t
Scotland. — This fern is known to botanists from a single locality only,
a sea cave near Aberdeen, where it was found by Dr. Dickie, who has
kindly supplied me with wUd specimens. The three large fronds repre-
sented at page 93 are from this station, and not from a cultivated root.
CYSTOPTEBIS DICKIEANA. 95
The radicles are tough, numerous, and nearly black : the
caudex is tufted, exhibiting very conspicuously a pale brown
sahent crown, composed of the future fronds : the stipes is
short, scarcely half as long as the frond : the frond is ovate-
lanceolate, pinnate, compact, somewhat glabrous, and of a full
bright green colour : the pinnte are crowded, deflexed, broad,
blunt, and pinnatifid ; they are set on at an acute angle with
the plane of the rachis : the pinnules or lobes are crenate : the
fructification abundant : the clusters of capsules small, round,
submarginal, and generally naked : the involucre, when pre-
sent, is small, its margin fringed, its attachment beneath that
of the capsules : the seeds verrucate.
Since, with the single exception of Mr. Sim, the original
describer, no author has ventured to regard C. Dickieana as
a species distinct from C. fragilis, a few words appear abso-
lutely necessary as to the propriety or otherwise of regarding
this fern as distinct. The objections to separating it are two :
— first, the present restriction of the species to a single loca-
lity, and that a very peculiar one ; and, secondly, the absence
of any obvious botanical character whereby it may be distin-
guished from C. fragilis. Both of these objections are my own;
they are difficulties first suggested by myself, and therefore I
am fuUy prepared to assert their importance, and shall make
no attempt whatever to reason them away. The propriety of
separating Dickieana from fragilis rests on these grounds : —
It is a healthy perfect plant, not monstrous or distorted, and
it produces its like from seed for many generations. It is re-
produced freely from seed, becoming a perfect weed ; whereas
fragilis, under similar treatment, rarely reproduces itself. Cul-
tivated in the same soil, and in the same pot, with fragilis, the
latter becomes larger and more vigorous, Dickieana smaller
and less vigorous : and the more care the cultivator bestows on
these two plants, the more will he find they recede from each
other ; whereas all differences between the so-called C. fragilis,
angustata, and dentata are speedily lost in cultivation. It is
true that Dickieana, under cultivation, undergoes some change :
its pinnae are deflexed, crowded, and partially overlapping in a
96 Dickie's fern.
wild state ; they become more cleilexed, crowded, and overlap-
ping under cultivation : the pinnte of fragHis are generally as-
cending, separate and distinct in a wild state, and they become
more ascending, distant and divided under cultivation : Dickie-
ana is of a bright glossy green in a wild state, and fragilis of
a dull somewhat glaucous green ; this difference of colour is
not only maintained but increased under cultivation : finally,
and this is a botanical diagnostic, Mr. WoUaston assures me
that the seeds of fragilis are always echinate, those of Dickie-
ana simply verrucate. The reader is requested to try the plant
by these tests, and if they fail, the species fails also.
€\\Mt
These little ferns grow freely and luxuriantly in the usual soil
of gardens in the counties where they are indigenous, requiring
only shade and moisture : on the north side of loose stone
walls, provided purposely, fragilis seems especially to flourish.
In pots it appears still more at home, if they stand in a cool and
well-ventilated greenhouse, and the soil composed chiefly of
peat, with a small portion of thoroughly decayed leaf-mould
and fine sand : the caudex to be fixed in an erect position
between stones, as recommended for the Woodsias. Wr. Wol-
laston, whose judgment in all such matters is most excellent,
recommends the addition of loam. The pots should stand in
water, half an inch deep ; and the reader must recollect, when-
ever this is recommended, that it is indispensable that there
be lumps of charcoal at the bottom of the pot : this corrects
the tendency to impurity which water, when still, is so apt to
exhibit. Dickieana, like fragilis, is remarkably easy of culture,
but, like all other sea-side ferns, enjoys the protection afforded
by glass.
CYSTOPTERIS MYRRHIDIFOLIDM.
97
WILSON'S FERN, {natural size).
^nxKdm.
Genus. — Cystopteeis, (see page 87).
Species. — MYRRHtDiFOLiUM. Caudex a stolon-like creeping
rhizome : stipes erect, longer than the frond : frond deltoid,
pinnate : the lowest pair of pinnse nearly opposite, shortly sti-
pitate, each almost equal in size to the apical portion of the
frond ; all the pinnse once, the lower pair twice pinnate : an
obtuse angle is formed at the union of the first pair of pinnae
with the stipes and rachis : clusters of capsules circular, and,
when the frond is immature, generally accompanied by an ob-
scure torn involucre, which is attached to the dorsal surface
of the capsuliferous vein immediately behind the point of at-
tachment of the capsules.
98 WILSONS FERN.
Polypodium Myrrhidifolium, Vill. Hist. Plant. Dauph. iii.
851, t. 53.
Polypodium montanum, Allioni, Pedem. No. 2410 ; Lam. Fl.
Fr. i: 23.
Aspidium montanum, Stoartz, in Schrad. Journ. ii. 42, Syn.
Fil. 61 ; Willd. Sp. PI. v. 286 ; Schkuhr, p. 61, t. 63 ;
Hoffm. Fl. Germ. ii. 10 ; DC. et Lam. Fl. Fr. ii. 558 ;
Sadler, 43.
Cyathea montana, Smith, Mem. Acad. Turin, v. 40 ; Both,
Fl. Germ. iii. 100.
Cystopteris montana, Link, Hort. Berol. ii. 131; Koch, Syn.
981; Presl, Tent. Pterid. 93; Fries, Summa, 88; Newm.
Phytol. i. 671, N. A. 15, F. 13 & 159, Phytol. App. xxv. ;
Hook, and Am. 572; Bab. il3; Moore, 80; Ledeb. Fl.
Boss. xiv. 517 ; Godet, Flore du Jura, 856.
I think the name of Polypodium montanum was conferred
on this plant against all the rules of botanical nomenclature,
Vogel having given that name to another species eight years
previously ; and in the present unsettled state of fern-nomen-
clature, it seems far from improbable that both species wiU be
again included in one genus, as they were in the time of Allioni.
As they were then both called Polypodium montanum, so they
must, with those who retain Bory's genus Lastrea in its entirety,
both be Lastrea montana. Moreover, Villars's name of Myr-
rhidifolium, having the claim of priority, relieves us of all diffi-
culty on the score of its adoption. With regard to the genus,
I have no doubt that those who have seen this beautiful little
fern on its native hills, or have successfully cultivated it, will
readily agree that its affinities are with Dryopteris and Eober-
tianum, rather than with fragilis : the stolon-like rhizome, the
triangular frond, the elbowed rachis, and the generally naked
clusters of capsules, all show the necessity for its eventual re-
moval from the genus with the species of which it has hitherto
been associated. The original figure of this fern in Villars's
' Histoire des Plantes de Dauphine ' (tab. 53), well represents
its form and characteristics ; that in Schkuhr (tab. 63) is also
excellent, leaving nothing to be desired.
CYSTOPTEBIS MYREHlDIFOtlUM. 99
The geographical range of this fern is very extensive. It is
found in Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and
Hungary ; indeed, Sadler (De Fil. Ver. 65) says that it occurs
in all the Provinces (sic) of Europe except Britain. I do not
trace it in Asia, except in Kamtkatcha, of which peninsula it is
a native, according to Mertens, Euprecht, and Ledebour. It is
abundant on the Eocky Mountains of North America, and has
also been reported from the Andes of South America : from the
former locality I have seen specimens, through the kindness of
Mr. Smith ; the latter locality requires confirmation.
In Great Britain the range of this fern is more restricted
than that of any other species, being confined, as far as we yet
Imow, to one county in Scotland. I had the pleasure of first
introducing this fern to the notice of British botanists in 1844,
and give below all the information published respecting it from
that time to the present, including the first announcement.
But, it should be added, that our excursions into Scotland
are generally of such short duration, that the fact of its ascer-
tained range being so restricted, appears more the result of
this circumstance, than of its absolute scarcitj'-.
Scotland. — " I found this fern on Ben Lawers (in Forfarshire), while
botanizing in company with Professors Hooker and Graham, in August,
1836. I do not think it probable it could have been introduced by acci-
dent, much less by design. It grows in a part where Saxifraga rivularis is
or was occasionally found, but so rarely that I never saw it but once, when
Sir W. J. Hooker pointed out a starved and scarcely intelligible plant ; the
scarcity therefore of the fern is no argument against its being truly indige-
nous. I gathered all the fronds I saw, but left the root, and think that I
could find it again." — Mr. Wilson in a letter to myself, see Phytol. i. 671.
" Corrach-Uaohdar, July, 1841 : Messrs. W. GourHe and W. Adamson."
— Hook. & Am. 573. "I have observed the notice respecting Cystopteris
montana on the wrapper of the ' Phytologist ' for November last. I had
the pleasure of gathering the plant in August last, in Breadalbane, not in
Mr. Wilson's place in Ben Lawers, which has not, I believe, been redis-
covered, but in the range of mountains between Glen Dochart and Glen
Loohay, where Messrs. Gourhe and Adamson found it in 1841. From
these gentlemen Dr. Amott obtained a direction to the spot, and kindly
100 Wilson's feex.
accompanied me thither. The station is recorded in the sixth edition of
the ' British Flora,' under the name of Corrach-Uachdar, but a native of
the neighbourhood called the mountams Meal Oufillach, and the ravine
Corrach Dh' Oufillach, as nearly as I could express his pronunciation. He
could not spell the words." — Mr. Borrer, in Phytol. iv. 7. " Previously
to my setting off for Scotland on the 1st of this month, August, 1853, I
was not able to get any information respecting the locality for Cystopteris
montana, more than I obtained from the pages of the ' Phytologist ; ' and
when arrived within the district, in reply to my inquiiies respecting Cor-
rach Uachdar or D'OufiUach, no one that I met with had ever heard of such
names, though I took great pains in making clear what ought to be its situ-
ation, and the way in which the names were spelled, not trusting to my
pronunciation. Such being the case, I was obhged to trust to myself, and
search diligently, and had the pleasure of discovering a locality for the said
fern, which I suppose is the third in which it has been found in Scotland ;
it is not Mr. Borrer 's station, directions for which I have since received,
but may be six or eight miles distant from it. I found only one frond in
fruit."— Mr. Westcombe in Phytol. iv. 1098. From the Rev. Mr. Little,
who has also been successful in finding Myrrdidifolium in Scotland, I learn
that the geological formation on which it occurs is mica-schist.
(Wales. — Caernarvonshire : — " Cystopteris montana, recently described
in the ' Phytologist ' as a newly discovered British plant, is stated by Spren-
gel to have b^jen found in Wales by Plukenet, who figured it in his ' Phy-
tographia,' tab. 89, f. 4, but I have not seen the figure." — Mr. H. O.
Stephens, in Phytol. i. 875. Mr. Watson having noticed this suggestion
(Cyb. Brit. ih. 359), it seems desirable to examine it. On reference to Plu-
kenet, I found that accurate botanist and phytographer giving Ray as his
authority in the present instance, and referring the reader to Ray's ' Synop-
sis,' p. 27. Here is the passage: — "Filix montana ramosa minor argute
denticidata. Small branched mountain fern with finely indented leaves.
Ad summitatem mentis Glyder qua lacui Llyn Ogwan imminet. D. Lloyd.
Singulare quid in hac specie esse videtur quod in alis sui ramulis infimis
surculi ad alee costam inferiores oppositis longiores sunt, praesertim scapo
proximi notabili diiJerentia." On this I may remark : — 1. That the plant
in question was found in Wales by Lloyd, not by Plukenet. 3. That the
record is Ray's. 3. That the similarity of specific name is merely acci-
dental, although Sprengel's record is based thereon. 4. That the character
described by Ray is common to aU the Lophodiums hereinafter to be de-
scribed. And, 5. That Plukenet's figure faithfully and beautifully repre-
sents a smaU frond of Lophodium Foenisecii, precisely similar to some
lately gathered in North Wales by Mr. G. Maw, and kindly submitted to
my inspection).
CYSTOPTERIS MYEEHIDIFOLIUM. 101
The radicles are fibrous, black, and clothed with fibriUse :
the caudex is a brown stolon-like rhizome, which, when creep-
ing among moss in wet situations, especially on the ledges of
dripping rocks in mountain ravines, is almost constantly wet.
I am indebted to Mr. Westcombe for a portion of rhizome in a
living state, and have been successful in growing it in the me-
thod hereinafter described. From the rhizome the fronds rise
at irregular distances, each on a slender erect stipes, which is
somewhat longer than the frond, and has a few nearly diapha-
nous pointed scales scattered near the base, where it is brown,
the upper portion being green and concolorous with the frond :
the frond is nearly horizontal, being elbowed at its junction
with the stipes ; it is triangular in form, and pinnate ; the first
or lowest pair of pinnte being nearly opposite, and very much
larger than any of the others, indeed, nearly equalling in size
all the rest: these pianse are pinnate, the pinnules are also
pinnate ; the lobes are deeply pinnatifid, and their divisions
notched : it is, therefore, one of the most compound of our
ferns : the second pair of pinnae are nearly opposite, but the
remainder gradually become alternate. The first inferior pin-
nule of the lowest pair is very much larger and more divided
than the first superior pinnule of the same pair ; this dispro-
portion decreases gradually, until, at the apex of the pinna, its
opposite pinnules nearly correspond in size. All the specimens
found by Mr. Wilson, and all but one of those found by Mr.
Westcombe, were without fruit ; but this is an evident depar-
ture from the usual character of the fern, the entire under sur-
face being commonly covered with clusters of capsules. The
late lamented Mr. E. Forster very kindly lent me, for the pre-
sent work, a Swiss specimen, just in that state of incipient
fructification which best displays the involucre. The lateral
veins are alternate ; each generally ceases in a sinus between
two serratures : the involucre is attached at the back of each
lateral vein, and bends slightly forwards over the capsules ; it is
very unequal in size, and often entirely wanting ; its free ante-
rior margin is jagged and uneven. The masses of capsules
are nearly circular, and become very prominent when mature ;
102
WILSON S FERN.
although crowded, each appears to retain its individuality, and
they never seem to become perfectly confluent.
€\\lkxt
A small quantity of Sphagnum and charcoal should be
spread over the bottom of a common seed-pan : this should be
covered to the depth of two inches with a mixture of thin la-
minae of freestone or mica-schist, sandy peat, clean sand, and
thoroughly decayed leaf-mould ; the last in small quantities :
arrange the rhizome on this, and cover it with more of the
mixture : place the pan in a cool greenhouse, out of the reach
of sunshine. In summer, while the fronds continue to be de-
veloped, cover the pan with a bell glass, in order to secure a
moist atmosphere ; but before winter, remove the glass and ex-
pose the j)lant to the weather, watering it daily, except during
frost and snow. The Eev. W. Little finds this fern grow
freely in the open air in Dumfriesshire.
POLYSTICHUM LONCHITIS.
103
HOLLY FEEN, (natural size).
Genus. — Poltstichum. Mid vein of pinnule or ultimate
division distinct ; lateral veins branclied : clusters of capsules
seated on the anterior branch, covered by a circular, scale-like,
104 HOLLY PEEN.
peltate involucre, which is attached by its centre and is free at
its circumference : first superior pinnule greatly larger than the
second, and evidently larger than the corresponding inferior
pinnule : all the ultimate divisions of the frond end in acute
rigid spines : caudex woody, erect, long-enduring, and termi-
nating in a corona of fronds.
Species. — Lonchitis. Caudex tufted : frond almost estipi-
tate, linear, rigid, leathery, glabrous : pinnee entire, auricled at
the base, crowded, overlapping, set on at an angle with the plane
of the rachis, serrated, serratures spined : clusters of capsules
circular, crowded, often confluent, confined to the upper parts
of the frond.
Polypodium Lonchitis, Linn. Sp. PL 1548 ; Light/. Fl. Scot.
668 ; Huds. Fl. Aug. 455 ; With. Arr. 773 ; Sm. E. B.
797.
Polipodium Lonchitis, Bolt. Fit. Brit. 34, t. 19.
Aspidium Lonchitis {Swartz), Sm. E. F. iv. 384 ; Mack. Fl.
Hib. 388 ; Franc. 32 ; Hook, and Am. 568.
Polystichum Lonchitis (Roth), Newm. N. A. 35, F. 163, Phyt.
App. xvi. ; Bab. 411 ; Moore, 83.
This rare fern appears to have been very familiar to our
older botanists and herbalists, both here and on the continent
of Europe : it is mentioned by the Bauhins, Grerarde, Parkin-
son, Ray, and the anonymous author of the ' British Herbal,'
and has repeatedly been figured in a very characteristic man-
ner. All authors seem agreed on the specific name : the gene-
ric name is not so universally adopted ; but the species Lon-
chitis being the tj'pe of the genus Polystichum, and that name
being anterior to the conflicting one of Aspidium, there is little
doubt it wiU be eventually received, more especially as modern
pteridologists are agreed in restricting the genus Aspidium to
the three species placed as typical by its author, and such other
subsequently discovered species as agree therewith in essential
characters. The genus Aspidium, as instituted by Swartz, and
as restricted by Presl, contains Sp. 1, trifoliatum ; Sp. 3, ma-
crophyllum ; and Sp. 3, HeralceifoUum.
POLYSTICHUM LONCHITIS. 105
It seems desirable, under this head, to express a doubt as to
whether the fern known by this name on the continent is pre-
cisely identical with our British plant. The specimen in the
Linnean herbarium rather resembles a seedling of the following
than a mature plant of the present species ; and the habitat
given by European botanists does not quite correspond with
those in which it occurs in Britain : it is said to grow in the
"hois montagneux" of France, in the " sylvis montosis subal-
pinis " of Lower Germany, in the " umbrosis alpestribus " of
Transylvania, in the "forets" of the Jura, and so forth; the in-
ference being that it is a sylvan rather than a rupestral plant.
The name of the fern occurs in the Floras for Lapland, Swe-
den, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, France, Switzerland, Italy,
and Eussia; it also appears to occur throughout Asiatic Russia,
even including Kamtkatcha; and it is said to be a native of
North America : Sadler states it has not been found in Spain.
In Britain it is a rare fern, being confined to bleak and ex-
posed mountains : its chief localities are as under : —
In Scotland it has been found and recorded in no less than nine coun-
ties, by botanists whose knowledge of the plant cannot be questioned : these
are Sutherland, Ross, Inverness, Moray, Aberdeen, Forfar, Perth, Argyle,
and Dumbarton : the chief stations are Ben More, in Sutherlandshire ;
Ben Lawers and Craig Challiach in Perthshire ; the Clova Mountains,
Glen Fiadh, and Craig Maid in Forfarshire. I have to acknowledge the
kindness of Drs. Greville and Balfour, and Mr. Kippist, in supplying me
with Scotch specimens, and my obligations to Messrs. Backhouse, Garden-
er, Gourlie, Stables, Watson, and Westcombe, for information as regards
localities, &c. It is next to impossible to look at a map of Scotland, and
observe how large a space is occupied by the nine counties enumerated
above, without regarding it as a widely distributed fern in that kingdom.
Lanark and Orkney have been added, but Mr. Watson (Cyb. Brit. iii. 261)
does not seem inclined to accept the authority as satisfactory.
In England, its discovered habitats are almost confined to the single
county of York : I am indebted to Mr. Tatham for specimens from the
neighbourhood of Settle ; to Mr. Thompson, for others from Attermire
Scar ; and I have seen others gathered on Ingleborough. Mr. Backhouse,
and many other botanists, have seen it growing in great luxuriance on Fal-
con OUnts, in Teesdale, just where the basalt joins the limestone. This
p
106
HOLLY FEEX.
locality is ten mUes west of Middleton, and on the Durham side of the
stream, although immediately adjoining the county of York.
In Wales I believe it has been discovered in one county only, and here
it has been known ever since the time of Kay, who described the habitat in
these words : — " E rupium fissuris emergit in summis jugis Arvoniae v. g.
Clogmjn y Garnedh y Grib Goch Tryr/vylchau, D. Lloyd." In this sta-
tion it has been since recorded by Bolton ; and Hudson says it is plentiful
on the mountains sbove Llanberis, which probably means the Clogwyn y
Garnedh station, and this station, as well as Cwm Idwell, have frequently
been recorded by hving botanists. The Rev. Mr. Finder, who found it on
Snowdon, as well as on Glyder Vawr, and at both places in fructification,
observes that the plants are more lax in their habit than those from Scot-
land ; and my own experience quite confirms this observation. I was suc-
cessful in flading the plant in several localities near the upper extremity of
Twll dhu, that remarkable fissure which opens into Cwm Idwell, and which,
the tradition of the neighbourhood asserts, was rent at the crucifixion of our
Saviour, a tradition to which few educated men will be inclined to listen.
It grows, not only at the immediate upper entrance of the fissure, but also
on the right, near the spot where Authericum serotinum is found; a dan-
gerous locality, by the way, and one which requires the botanist to possess
a firm foot and a cool head. Again repassing the upper entrance of the fis-
sure, and descending towards Llyn Idwell by the precipitous and somewhat
instable surface of the rock, P. Lonchitis occurs sparingly among thou-
sands of plants of P. aculeatum of every form that can be imagined. In
this natural botanical garden, large plants of a mountain Thalictrum form
prominent and striking objects. Mr. G. Maw has lately shown me a fine
specimen of this fern from the Snowdon district.
In Ireland, Polystichum Lonchitis is a rare fern, but occurs in a few
localities, of a very rigid, erect, and characteristic form. Mr. David Moore,
of the Glasnevin Botanic Garden, at Dublin, a botanist to whom I am in-
debted for much valuable information, has found it in the Rosses and Tha-
uet Passes in the county Donegal. Dr. Mackay, of the College Botanic
Garden, at Dublin, another Irish botanist to whom my best thanks are due,
found it on the Ben Bulben mountains, in the county Sligo, in 1833, and
remarks that it had been previously found there by Mr. E. Murphy : and
Mr. W. Wilson, Mr. S. P. Woodward, Mr. Ward, and a number of other
botanistSj have found it on Brandon Hill, in the county Kerry : to Mr.
Woodward I am indebted for specimens from this locality ; and to Mr.
Ward for the sight of others, truly curious from the size and solidity of
their caudices, which have probably weathered the mountain storms for
hundreds of years : the basal portion of each frond still remains in situ, and
the solid caude.x, of which they form an integral part, forcibly reminds one
of the more erect and elongate stem of a tropical tree-fern.
POLYSTICHUM I.ONCHITIS.
107
The radicles are long, strong, black, and
wiry : the caudex is woody, erect, or recum-
bent through age, and long- enduring, its Upper
extremity a brown, chaffy, but not very
salient crown, composed of the undeve-
loped fronds : the stipes is very short,
scarcely separable from the rachis,
and clothed with reddish, chaffy
scales : the frond is linear, pinnate :
pinnae crowded, overlapping, some-
what crescent-shaped, auricled on
the upper side, next the stem, ser-
rated and acutely spined ; each pin-
na is sessile, but not decm'rent, set
on obliquely with the rachis, and
twisted, a character I have attempted
to represent at page 103 ; this twist-
ed character is least apparent in the
Welch specimens, which have also a
more lax habit than the Scotch and
Irish plants ; the "Welch specimens,
moreover, are generally pendulous,
the Scotch and Irish ones more usu-
ally erect ; there is also a difference
in the colour, that of the English
and Welch specimens approaching
the ordinary hue of P. aculeatum,
whUe that of the Scotch and Irish
specimens is full, rich, shining green,
108
HOLLY FERN.
T^
the substance thick and leathery, and the entire frond as rigid
and prickly as a spike of miniature holly-leaves, so much so,
indeed, that the fronds are not to be flattened for the herbarium
without considerable dif&culty. The lateral veins are alter-
nate and generally three-branched, the anterior branch usually
terminating half way between the
midvein and margin, the others
reaching the margin, but being
quite free at their extremity. It
should, however, be observed, that
the auricle or lobe at the base of
each pinna has a formula of vena-
tion decidedly different from the
remainder of the pinnule, since
the principal vein in this lobe
emits several fruitful branches in
an opposite direction to that taken
by the rest. The involucre is cir-
cular, and attached to the back of
each anterior branch of the lateral
veins near its extremity ; the at-
tachment is by a sliort central
cord : the capsules are attached to
the vein around the base of the
cord of the involucre, and, as they
reach maturity, form a circular
cluster, and these clusters a con-
tinuous line on each side of the
pinna, about equidistant from its
midrib and margin. Some speci-
mens are so densely seeded that
the masses become confluent. In
the Irish, as in all other speci-
mens, the clusters of capsules are
most abundant towards the apex of the frond, but they are also
scattered throughout the other parts, even to its base ; whereas
in the Scotch, Welch, and particularly the English specimens,
the masses are confined to the upper part of the frond. Mr.
Tatham, in allusion to these observations, remarks that in the
POLYSTICHUM LONCHITIS. 109
Settle plant " the seed is generally confined to about a third of
the frond, but I have some that are half covered."
The fronds represented at page 103, are from Scotland ;
those at page 107 from Wales: figure b shows the venation, and
the points whence the clusters of capsules have been removed ;
figure c, represents a pinna with the fructification in a very
young state, the peltate involucre alone being visible ; figure d,
another pinna, in which the clusters of capsules have enlarged,
and more or less concealed the involucre : the figures at page
108 are from an Irish plant.
€ulkn.
A difficult plant to establish, and even when apparently
established, often disappointing the cultivator. Still, nothing
can exceed the vigour which it displays when grown in the open
air in some parts of Ireland, perhaps, indeed, throughout Ire-
land ; but I may speak of Belfast and Dublin, as places in which
I have particularly observed it : on rock-work in the sister
island it forms strong permanent masses, often displaying fifty
fronds at once. In Scotland and the North of England, I
have had little experience of the success attending its cultiva-
tion in the open air ; but in the South of England it rarely
thrives : when potted, and kept in a cold frame or cool green-
house, it succeeds better. The following directions may possi-
bly be of some service to those who incline to encounter the
trouble and reap the reward of pot-culture. Place the caudex
erect between two flattish pieces of sandstone or freestone, and
then block up the space between them and the sides of the pot
with other pieces of stone : do this tightly, compressing the
caudex, keeping its crown well above the pot, and allowing the
roots to hang down ; then fill up with a light mixture of peat
and sandy loam, and shake it gently down until the interstices
of the stone are thoroughly filled. In watering this fern, it is
best to keep the water entirely from the leaves, unless, by tho-
rough ventilation, you can ensure rapid evaporation.
110
HOLLY FERN.
I have more than once mentioned Cwm Idwell as a station
for ferns : below is a very humble attempt to give an idea of
this wild spot. It was sketched in a memorandum-book, and
carried on my back among fern-fronds for many a weary mile.
Cwm Idwell is a vast semicircular rampart of rock, near the
middle of which, invisible at a distance, is the perpendicular
fissure called TwU dhu : through this falls a mountain stream,
which, emerging at the foot, wanders, amongst fragments of
disrupted rock, into Llyn Idwell, — that dark, still lake which
reposes in the natural basin; issuing thence, it joins the waste
water of Llyn Ogwen, and the united stream flows through
the mighty pass of Nant Frangon to the sea. In Llyn Idwell
grow Isoetes, Subularia, and Lobelia : on the broken ground
about the lake, Lycopodium alpinum, L. Selago, L. selaginoi-
des, and L. clavatum, every conceivable form of Cj'stopteris
fragilis, with Allosorus crispus, and Hymenophyllum unila-
terale : a little higher up, Polystichum Lonchitis, Asplenium
viride, Rhodiola rosea, an alpine Thalictrum, and, that rarity
of rarities, Anthericum serotinum : and, still higher, above and
beyond the summits that we see, Woodsia Ilvensis and Lyco-
podium annotinum. Oh ! it is a matchless place for a botanical
ramble !
POLYSTICHUM ACULEATUM.
Ill
PRICKLY FERN, {one-sixteenth the natural size).
Genus. — Polystichum, (see page 103).
Species. — Aculeatum. Caudex tufted : stipes short, densely
chaffy : frond linear, rigid, leathery, glabrous, bipinnate : pinnae
pinnate or pinnatifid : pinnules distinct (aculeatum, Sm.) or de-
current (lobatum, Sm.), serrate ; serratures spinose : clusters
of capsules circular, crowded, often confluent, confined to the
upper part of the frond.
Polypodium aculeatum, Linn. Sp. PI. 1552.
Polypodium lobatum, " af&nis prsecedenti [P. angulare, inf.]
an distincta sit species ? " Huds. Fl. Ang. 459 ; With.
Bot. An: Veg. 651.
112 PRICia^Y FERN.
Polipodium aculeatum, Bolt. Fil. Brit. 48, t. 26. " Polipo-
dium lobatum, Hall. Hist. 1712, and Fl. Ang. 459, is
doubtless a young jilant of Polipodium aculeatum ; of
this I am certain from observation." — Bolt. I. c.
Aspidium lobatum, {Swarte), Sm. E. F. iv. '291; Mack. Fl.
Hih. 338.
Potystichum aculeatum, (Roth), Newm. N. A. 25, F. 169 ;
Bah. 411.
The division of the bipinnate aculeate ferns into three spe-
cies, in all probability originated in a mere error of nomencla-
ture. I arrive at this conclusion from a careful consideration
of the original descriptions. Linneus considered the plants
referrible to a single species, to which he gave the name of
" aculeatum." Hudson, observing the great discrepancy be-
tween the extreme forms, divided them into two species, calling
the rigid and least divided form "lobatum," and the lax and
most divided form "aculeatum." Kunze adopted these names;
but Willdenow redescribed the species, transferring the name
aculeatum to Hudson's lobatum, and giving the new name of
" angulare " to Hudson's aculeatum, a transposition that will
be rendered clear by the following formula : —
Lobatum, H^ids. )
^ -rr f = Aculeatum, WiUd.
et Kunze J 1 , , , t- ■
:=: Aculeatum, Linn.
I = Angulare, Willd.
Aculeatum, Huds.
et Kunze
Thus the three names were not intended to represent three
objects, a conclusion inadvertently adopted by Sir J. E. Smith,
who consequently endeavoured to find characters for all three.
There is now a growing disposition to reunite them as one
species. DeCandoUe in France, Godet in Switzerland, Weber
and Mohr in Germany, Ledebour in Russia, and other bota-
nists of unquestioned ability, peremptorily discard the idea of
a second species ; and Bernhardi, going stiU further, consi-
ders them to be divided forms of Lonchitis. These opinions,
however, are not so general as to preclude the necessity for
my describing the extreme forms, leaving it, however, to be
understood, that the observations on geographical range treat
aculeatum and angulare as a single species. From a some-
what voluminous correspondence with British botanists, on
the subject of this fern and the next, I find there is a very
POLYSTICHUM ACULEATUM. 11
general desire to maintain two species — aculeatum and angu-
lare — as distinct, but to omit the third or intermediate species.
The characters recommended by my correspondents are very
various, and would divide a series in a variety of ways ; hence
I feel reluctant to publish them.
In the edition of 1844, about eight pages are occupied with
quoted descriptions of these ferns, more especially from the
writings of Sir J. E . Smith, Sir W. J. Hooker, Mr. Babington,
and Mr. Thwaites ; but on revising these for republication, and
studying them with the careful attention which the writings of
these botanists always deserve, I found that no impression
whatever remained on my mind as to the distinctness or other-
wise of the ferns : the ideas suggested were theoretical, and
rather psychical than physical ; speculations on the writers,
rather than on the objects concerning wliich they wrote.
I must also observe that Professor Kunze, one of the highest
authorities on the species of ferns, published in the ' Flora ' of
June 14, 1848, an essay on this very subject. It was intituled,
" On three species of Ferns hitherto involved in miich confu-
sion, Aspidium lobatum, Sm., A. aculeatum, Sin., and A.
Braunii, Spenn." An abstract of this essay appeared in the
' Phytologist ' (Phytol. iii. 455), and a translation in extenso was
published in the 1st and 2nd Nos. of the ' Botanical Gazette,'
but I believe all botanists consider the confusion to be rather
increased than diminished by these well- intended labours. If,
therefore, one of the greatest pteridologists has failed in eluci-
dating the matter, it seems scarcely probable that any eiforts of
a general botanist will accomplish that desirable object.
The European range of this fern extends to every country ex-
cept Spain, where one would rather suppose it unobserved than
absent, since it occurs commonly throughout France, especially
in the South, and ascends the Pyrenees to the height of 2,500
feet. It is found in Asia, Northern and Southern Africa, and
North America : in the latter country it is extremely rare, but
perfectly identical with our British plant.
11^ PEIC3CLY FEEN.
In one or other of its forms this fern seems to be distributed
throughout the United Kingdom. I have seen it more or less
abundantly in every county I have visited, whether in England,
Wales, Scotland, or Ireland ; and the lists I have received
through the kindness of my correspondents, invariably record
its occurrence. It seems to delight in the j)roteotion of man,
its favourite locality being our hedge-rows ; and its luxuriance
being greatly increased by cultivation, or even by proximity to
cultivated lands : its occurrence on our moors, commons, and
moimtains, is comparatively rare, its stature diminutive, and
its fronds are more sparing^ divided.
The radicles are unusually long, strong, and tough, often
taking so firm a hold of the soil, especially when the plant is
growing in hedge-banks, among the roots of whitethorn or
liazel, as to require great labour in removing. The caudex is
very large, apparently increasing slowly with age, and enduring
for many years. The young fronds make their appearance in
April, the circinate apex being bent backwards, and remarkably
graceful in its appearance : the pinnae of the young frond are
also circinate: I have attempted, in the vignette at page 110,
to give an idea of this character. The fronds attain their
full expansion in July, and the seed appears to have reached
maturity in September : the fronds are tough, leathery, and
perfectly persistent, retaining their green uninjured by frosts
throughout the year, and showing no disposition to decay until
the fronds of the succeeding year are fully developed ; indeed,
they are of so rigid and durable a character, that after changing
their green hue for one of brown, they remain almost unaltered
in form ; and thus Nature often preserves the foliage of three
or four successive years attached to the same caudex, display-
ing to the inquiring gaze of the botanist a variation in charac-
ter that will often strike him with astonishment. The form of
the frond may be termed lanceolate, but it becomes more or
less linear, and more or less attenuated towards the base. The
stipes is usually very short, and is densely clothed with reddish
scales ; these are very large and crowded at its junction with
POLYSTICHUM ACULEATUM. 115
the caudex, but upwards they diminish in size, and are much
smaller when the stipes has merged in a rachis. The caudex
has always a disposition to fix itseK on a perpendicular surface,
whence the fronds issue in a nearly horizontal direction, their
rigid habit almost precluding the possibility of their assuming
that graceful bend which is more or less observable in every
other fern similarly situated. The frond is variously divided,
but always pinnate : the pinnte also are variously divided :
when entire, as is usually the case in immature plants (see figs.
a a a, page 111), the fronds resemble those of the preceding
species, P. Lonchitis, from which circumstance the name of
Lonchitidoides has been applied to this form. "When the first
upper pinnule is separated from the body of the pinna, which
remains nearly entire (figs, h h), the plant is the Aspidium mu-
nitum of the continent ; at least, such is the opinion I gather
from the descriptions of Sadler and others : when the pinna is
a little more divided (figs, c c c), I suppose it to be the Polypo-
dium lobatum of Hudson, and P. aculeatum of Linneus ; and,
lastly, when the pinnule becomes quite pinnate at the base, and
even beyond the middle (fig. d), it is probably the Aspidium
aculeatum of Smith. I believe that no one who has watched
the plant with careful attention, has ever supposed these forms
to be more than varieties of a single species. The first upper
pinnule on each pinna is much larger than either of the others,
indeed, it is usually twice as large as the first lower pinnule ;
it points directly upwards towards the apex of the frond, but
owing to a certain convexity, which every division of the frond
in some degree possesses, its point is bent downwards, and
very frequently passes below and beyond the midrib of the pre-
ceding pinna ; the double series of these enlarged pinnules,
often amounting to more than twenty, has a very striking ap-
pearance : all the pinnules have a sharp spine at their extre-
mity, and several lesser spines at their edges, and each of the
enlarged superior pinnules is sHghtly auricled at its outer mar-
gin near the base, and the auricle, in those pinnules near the
base of the frond, has a very strong and distinct spine ; this
character extends to several of the other pinnules which most
nearly approach the stem, and these are generally placed on
short foot-stalks, whereas all the others are decurrent or united
116
PRICKLY PERN.
at the base: the direction which they assume, observable parti-
cularly in the inferior pinnules of each pinna, forms an acute
angle with the midrib of the pinna. The seed is confined to the
upper portion of the frond ; and, in its circular involucre at-
tached by a central cord, in its circular clusters of capsules,
occasionally confluent but generally separate, and in the dis-
tribution of the veins, I find no characters distinct from those
which I have already figured as characteristic of the preceding
species.
I'OLYSTICHUM ANGULAEE. 117
t WILLDENOWS FEEN.
Genus. — Polystichum, (see page 103).
Species. — Angulaee. Cauclex tufted : stipes one-third as
long as the frond, densely clothed with large, red, chaffy scales :
frond drooping, graceful, broad-lanceolate, lax, feathery, piii-
nate : pinnse very numerous, linear, distant, pinnate : pinnules
distinct, stalked, often distant, auricled at the base, rounded at
the apex, serrated, spined.
Ssnwnpj^s, Jfipm, h.
Polypodium aculeatum, Light/. Fl. Scot. 675 ; Huds. Fl. Ang.
459.
Aspidium angulare, Willd. Sp. PI. v. 257; Sm. E. F. iv. 291,
E. B. S. 2776 ; Mack. Fl. Hib. 339.
Polystichum angulare, Newm. N. A. 25, F. 173 ; Bab. 409.
For the geographical distribution see page 113.
The radicles and caudex present no characters by which I
can distinguish them from those of the preceding. The stipes
is distinct, about one-fourth as long as the frond, and densely
clothed with large reddish scales. The plant appears to jprefer
118
WILLDENOW S FEEN.
a horizontal to a vertical surface : its habit is weak, flexile,
graceful and drooping; a number of fronds issue from the
'///W
•"""m,
crown of the caudex, and, when uniiiterrupted, spread from a
common centre, presenting a very beautiful appearance : the
texture of the frond is soft and delicate, its form lanceolate and
]5innate : the pinnae are very numerous, elongate, linear, dis-
tinct, often distant, drooping, and j)innate ; the pinnules are
blunt at the apex, auricled at the base, distinctly stalked
and serrated at the edges, and each serrature is armed with a
spme : every part of the under surface of the fronds, more
especially the -^mxnax^ and secondary rachides, abounds in
reddish chaffy scales.
When we select a specimen of this plant in its extreme state,
and contrast it with a specimen of P. aculeatum, also in its
extreme state ; when we select a central pinna of each, and
POLTSTICPIUM ANGULARE. 119
lay them before us side by side, on a sheet of paper, the diffe-
rence is so striking, that were our observations allowed no
wider range, we must exercise much sophistry in inducing even
ourselves to suppose them identical. The distinctly stalked
pinnules of angulare (fig. a), set on the stem at a more obtuse
angle than that of the deeurrent pinnules of aculeatum (fig. b),
offer instantly a character which it is impossible to resist : and
this, added to the discrepancy in the habit, texture, and figure
of the frond, must lead an observer to believe them distinct. It
is, however, from the constant occurrence of plants intermedi-
ate in habit, texture, figure and cutting, that the difficulty has
arisen.
Of this species, or variety, whichever may be the correct
title, there are two most beautiful and remarkable forms ; in-
deed, these are so distinct, and the intermediate states so rare,
that they might claim a rank at least equal to that of the fern
under which I have placed them, were it not that their rare
occurrence, and the proximity of abundance of the usual form
of angulare, induces the conclusion that the variations are
merely accidental. The first of these has the stipes of nearly
equal length with the frond, and very sparingly clothed with
scales : the figure of the frond is elongate-triangular, the lower
pair of pinnae being the longest. The entire frond is nearly
without scales : its texture is leathery, but, in habit, as well as
in the form of the pinnules, it agrees very closely with the nor-
mal form of angulare. I found two or three roots in Hereford-
shire, and Mr. Jenner has presented me with a frond gathered
in Sussex. The second variety is still more remarkable. A
specimen, for which I am indebted to the kindness of Mr.
PampUn, has above twenty pairs of pinnae, of equal length :
these are gracefully curved and pendulous at the extremities,
the pinnules very slender and rather distant, and the auricled
portion at the base of each is completely divided to the midrib :
both the pinnule, and the lobe or auricle, terminate in a very
acute point : the whole is densely chaffy. I believe this plant
is very familiar to cultivators. The specimen given to me by
120
WILLDENOW S FEEN,
Mr. Pamplin was from a plant cultivated by Mr. Choules, for-
merly gardener to Lady Gtuildford ; it was found in a hedge
near Wimbledon, and is preserved in the Royal Botanic Gar-
den, at Kew ; and I possess a second, from Mr. WoUaston,
gathered by himself near Ambleside. My notice of the slender
j)innules of this plant has induced cultivators to call it " angus-
tatum." A third form has been found in Ireland by my kind
correspondent, Mr. Kinahan, whose unbounded zeal in the cause
of Natural History is exhibited in every report of the Proceed-
ings of the Dublin Natural- History Society. In this strange
and most abnormal form, the fronds are of small size, and all
the divisions atrophied or setiform.
It is by no means uncommon for the slender pinnules of this
fern to become much subdivided : an extreme instance of this is
shown on the opposite page, in the figure of a pinna obligingly
sent me by the late Mr. S. Gibson, of Hebden Bridge. From
this meagre description, and the accompanying figure, cultiva-
tors have called the form " subtripinnatum."
There is a property possessed by this fern, which is common
to many exotic, although I think not to any other British spe-
cies : I allude to the production of new plants from bulbillfe
which originate from the main or partial rachides at the axillte
of the pinnae or pinnules : this state of the plant was fully de-
sgribed by Mr. Kinahan under the name of " viviparum," in a
paper read before the Dublin Natural-History Society, in June,
1852 ; but was at that time very famihar to botanists residing
near London, and Mr. Wollaston had called my attention to it
long previously to the report of Mr. Kinahan' s paper. I am
indebted both to Mr. Wollaston and Dr. AUchin for sj^ecimens
beautifully illustrating this interesting character. The bulbs
are at first almost hidden in the profusion of chaffy scales with
which the species abounds, but soon throw out small circinate
fronds from their crown, and filiform radicles from their base,
which, stretching downwards, try to reach the earth. Taken
off m this state, and planted in any light soil, they grow with
rapidity, and soon form good strong plants, which possess all
the characters of the parents, however abnormal.
POLYSTICHUM ANGULAEE.
ISl
Culto 0f t^t ImMs itm.
These are the most easily cultivated of ferns. They are so
much at home in our lanes and hedge-rows, that their trans-
plantation to a garden is always attended with success ; and
E
122
WILLDENOW S FERN.
nothing can be more beautiful than their appearance. They
even defy the impurities of the London suburban atmosphere,
and exist for many years without any other care than an occa-
sional watering. In the greenhouse they thrive still better,
and it is almost impossible to conceive anything more elegant
and delicate than the tracery of some of the more divided forms
of angulare. The more divided the frond, the less durable :
for whilst the leathery, rigid, and scarcely bipinnate form com-
monly known as "lobatum" shows no symptoms of decay until
the end of the second year, the delicate and feathery plant
called " angulare," decays at its base during the first winter,
and, falling to the ground, soon becomes entirely destroyed.
All the forms delight in soil chiefly composed of yellow loam.
riEMESTHEUM THELYPTEIIIS.
123
MARSH FERN, {one-ninth the natural sine).
(i\Kx^dm,
Genus. — Hemestheum. Midvein of pinnules distinct ; late-
ral veins alternate, always forked soon after leaving the mid-
vein, and both branches runniag in parallel lines to the
margin : each bears a cluster of capsules near the fork, and
these beiag equidistant from the midvein and the margin, form
two continuous series, which are concealed by the convolute
margin of the pinnule : involucre minute, indistinct, subreni-
form, evanescent : each first upper and first lower pinnule
124 MARSH FEEN.
slightly longer than the second and following pinnules : ulti-
mate divisions without a point.
Species. — Thelypteeis. Caudex a creeping rhizome : fronds
of two kinds, hoth erect, on long, smooth stipes, lanceolate,
pinnate : pinnse pinnatifid, lower pinnae scarcely equalling the
rest in length : pinnules blunt, entire, in fertile fronds with
convolute margins covering the capsules.
SpfftipM, fyum, i'L
Acrostichum Thelypteris, Li7m. Sp. PL 1528; Bolt. Fil. Brit.
part ii. 78, t. 43, 44 ; With. Bot. Arr. Veg. 649.
Polypodium Thel3'pteris, Linn. Mant. 505 ; Huds. Fl. Ang.
457 ; With. Arr. 776.
Polystichum Thelypteris, Roth, Fl. Germ. iii. 77.
Aspidium Thelypteris {Swartz), Sm. E. F. iv. 285 ; Mack.
Fl. Hib. 340 ; Franc. 35 ; Hook, and Am. 569.
Lastrea Thelypteris, Bory, Diet. Class. d'Hist. Nat. vi. 588 ;
Neivm. N. A. 19, F. 183 ; Bab. 409 ; Moore, 98.
Thelypteris palustris, Schott. Fil.
Hemestheum Thelypteris, Newm. Phytol. App. xxii.
It is rather a remarkable fact in connexion with the history
of this fern, that it has never been represented in ' English
Botany,' the figure which bears its name (Eng. Bot. 1018)
being, as already stated, evidently drawn from a specimen of
Gymnocarpium Phegopteris. Bolton made a somewhat similar
mistake, by figuring Lastrea Oreopteris in its stead, (Fil. tab.
22) ; but this he subsequently rectified, by repeating the species
under its proper name, (Id. tab. 43) : his second figure is a very
good one.
Botanists seem unusually at variance as to the genus in
wliich this fern should be placed. Linneus, Bolton, Withering,
Hudson, and many others, made it an Acrostichum; then
all converted it into a Polypodium. Sir J. E. Smith, Sadler,
Hooker and Arnott, and many others, make it an Aspidium
Roth, DeCandoUe, Godet, Koch, Ledebour, and many others,
a Polystichum ; Bory, Presl, John Smith, Babington, and
many others, a Lastrea : a list of contrarieties that might rea-
dily be increased ten-fold, but which is sufficient to show that
HEMESTHEUM THELYPTERIS. 125
a genus of ferns is a perfectly arbitrary assemblage of species.
Schott was the first to propose a more restricted genus, under
the name of Thelypteris ; and I should unhesitatingly have
adopted it, had I not an insuperable objection to change a Lin-
nean specific name, a course that would be necessitated by the
transference of that name to a genus. This fern is an admira-
ble example of the present state of fern-classification : nothing
could possibly exhibit more clearly its chaotic state.
This species occurs in every country in Europe, and in Asia-
tic Eussia : it is said by Sadler to occur also in North Africa,
and in North and South America ; North America I can con-
firm, being indebted to Mr. Boott for both fronds and living
plants from the United States, which are so similar to our Bri-
tish plant that I am unable to detect any character by which to
distinguish them.
In this country it must be considered local, but its distri-
bution is very general. It occurs only on those boggy heaths
where the soil is so moist and light that its rhizome can ex-
tend itself with rapidity and freedom : in such situations it is
found in great abundance. The list of localities which I have
received through the kindness of correspondents, is far too
voluminous to publish; I shall therefore only give a general
summary, from which it will be observed that as regards the
English and Welch counties, it occupies tracts that are avoided
by the ferns of mountainous regions.
In Scotland it is a fern of excessive rarity : some of the few localities
which have reached me have turned out on investigation to have originated
in an error, a small frond of Lastrea montana having been mistaken for
the present plant. Through the kindness of Scotch botanists, I have re-
ceived very careful lists of the ferns of Argyleshire, Dumbartonshire, Dum-
friesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire, and from all
of these it is absent. I am indebted to Mr. Watson for the information of
its occurrence ia Forfarshire, on the authority of Mr. R. Maughan ; Mr.
Watson adds, " not in fruit, but I believe the name correct." Again, in
' Cybele Britannica' (iii. 365), he speaks of having a specimen from Mr.
Maughan in his own herbarium.
126 MAESH FEEN.
In England it has been recorded for the following counties : — In
Northumberland, Mr. Embleton has found it plentifully in Learmouth
bogs. In Westmoreland, the Rev. Mr. Pinder found it in Hammersham
bog. In Yorkshire, Mr. Hardy finds it at Potterie Car ; Mr. Bean at
Scarborough ; Mr. S. Thompson, at Askham bog, also near York : Hes-
lington fields, Terrington Soar, and several other localities, are mentioned
by my correspondents. In Cumberland, it occurs at Glencoin, Blowike,
Ulswater, and Kesvfick, as recorded in the ' Botanist's Guide.' In Che-
shire it is a fem of common occurrence : Harnicroft wood, near Wernith,
is recorded in the ' Botanist's Guide ; ' Mr. Wilson, of Warrington, has
found it in Newchurch bog, near Over, on Knutsford Moor, and on Ros-
therne Moor. In Nottinghamshire, it is abundant in O.xton bogs and in
Bulwell bogs ; in the first it was found by Dr. Howitt, and in both by Mr.
Sidebotham. In Shropshire, my very kind and trustworthy friend, Mr. T.
Westcombe, tells me he has found it at Berrington pool. In Warwick-
shire it was formerly found by the Rev. W. T. Bree near AUesley ; subse-
quently supposed to have become extinct on account of the draining of the
bog (see Mag. Nat. Hist. v. 199), but recently discovered in luxuriant pro-
fusion by Mr. W. G. Perry ; the swamp is indicated on the Ordnance Map
by a faint nebulous mark, it is four mUes N.N.W. of Warwick, half a mile
N. of Goodrest Lodge, and within a few yards of Roundsel lane, (see Phy-
tol. iv. 1135). In Norfolk it is common in aU the fen country, — Homing
Marshes, St. Faith's, Upton Fen, Filby Broad, Holt Edgefield, Scaring
Fen, and Felthorpe Fen ; I am indebted to correspondents for the sight of
examples from many of these locaUties, and all of them have, I behove,
been recorded by Mr. S. P. Woodward: " This fem grows in the greatest
abundance in all the swampy uncultivated ground on the bank of the river
below Norwich," — Rev. W. S. Here, in Phytol. iv. 95. In Suffolk, Mr.
Stock finds it near Bungay ; and Lound Hipton and Brodwell Common
are given as localities in the ' Botanist's Guide.' In Cambridgeshire, Mr.
Relhan records the following stations : — " Fulbourne, by the foot-path to
the mdl, on both sides ; Teversham Moors ; Gamlingay." In Bedford-
shire, Potton Marshes are recorded in the ' Botanist's Guide.' In Essex,
I have seen it growing at Epping, where it was discovered by Mr. John
Ray, a lineal descendant of the immortal botanist; and the late Mr. E.
Forster found it growing abundantly on Baddow Common. In Kent, my
kind friend, Mr. Ward, found it on the borders of Ham Ponds, near Sand-
wich, and Mr. Kippist subsequently in the same locahty ; and Mr. H. L.
Jenner, Mr. Sparkes, the late Mr. Peete, the late Mr. W. Christy, and
many others, have observed it at North Cray. In Surrey, Mr. Salmon
finds it in a single station called Hurtmore Bottom, near Godalming, and
many botanists have gathered it round the base of Leith Hill, where it was
originally observed by Mr. Borrer. In Sussex, it occurs frequently in
HEMESTHEUH THELYPTEHIS. 127
what is called the " forest district : '' Alboume and Amberley are recorded
as stations on the authority of Mr. Borrer ; Tunbridge Wells, on that of
Mr. Jenner (and since verified by myself) ; Waterdown Forest, on that of
Mr. Pamplia ; and Ore, near Hastings, by Mr. Woods : I have seen spe-
cimens from all the Sussex stations. In Hampshire, it occurs in a single
station called Freshwater Gate, in the Isle of Wight, where, I believe, it
was discovered by the late truly estimable Dr. Bromfield; and also "in
one small spot near the city of Winchester,'' (Mr. R. Smith, in Phytol. iv.
376). In Somersetshire, my friend, Mr. Thomas Clark, has observed it
covering thousands of acres on Turf Moor, between Bridgewater and Glas-
tonbury ; Mr. T. B. Flower gives similar information ; and Mr. T. West-
combe also found it in abundance on Turf Moor, near Street, in this coun-
ty : aU these records probably refer to one locality.
In Wales, it is recorded for three counties : — Llanberis, in Caernarvon-
shire ; Llwydiard lake, Pentraith, in Anglesea ; and Cwmbola and Sketty
bogs in Glamorganshire. I have not seen the specimens.
In Ireland it seems equally uncommon. Through the kindness of the
late Mr. W. Thompson, I have received the following extract from the MSS.
of the late Mr. Templeton respecting this fern : — " Plentiful among woods
and bushes in the low part of Portmore Park, on the side of Lough Neath,
county Antrim." Mr. Moore informs me he has subsequently found it on
the same spot. " Near Lough Carra, county Mayo," Mr. J. Ball. " A
marsh near Mucruss," Mr. Mackay. Captain Jones informs me he subse-
quently found it at this station, but several botanists have lately sought di-
ligently without success.
The radicles are black and fibrous ; the caudex a slender
but very tough rhizome, black, and rapidly creeping. The
fronds are of two kinds, barren and fertile ; the barren appear
in May, the fertile in July : the pinnules of the young frond
stand out at right angles with the rachis. The stipes of the
barren frond is long, smooth, and erect ; the frond lanceolate
and pinnate : the lowermost pinnae are rather shorter than the
second, third, or fourth pairs, stiU not materially shorter, and
always situate a long distance from the base of the stipes : the
pinnse ai'e generally nearly opposite, distant, linear, slightly
drooping, and pinnatifid ; the pinnules crowded, adnate, entire
and rounded at the extremity : the habit is slender, delicate.
128
MARSH FERN.
and very fragile ; the texture thin and almost membranaceous ;
the colour pale green. The fertile frond differs in being much
more taU and robust, and in having the margins of the pinnules
convolute, and the pinnules themselves are thus rendered nar-
rower, and apparently more distant. The
lateral veins of the pinnules are alter-
nate ; they are forked almost immedi-
ately on leaving the midvein, and each
branch proceeds to the margin of the pin-
nule (as shown at page 123), bearing a
nearly circular cluster of capsules about
midway between the midvein and mar-
gin : at the back of each cluster, in an
early stage of the frond, may be seen a
small, flat, whitish, reniform involucre,
as represented in the figure in the mar-
gin ; this soon withers, is pushed aside
by the swelling capsules, and is lost : the clusters of capsules
become confluent, and are always concealed by the semi-
bleached semi-membranous margin of the pinnule.
€ultmt
This fern grows freely, provided the soil be sufficiently peaty
and the supply of moisture abundant : if this can be done in no
other way, it may always be accomplished by digging out the
ordinary soil, and making a cemented bottom upon which to
spread the peat : saturate this thoroughly with water ; too much
cannot be given, as the rhizomes will thrive equally well when
constantly submerged. For gi-eenhouse cultivation, use the
largest obtainable seed-pan without any aperture for the escape
of water : sift peat-earth through a coarse sieve, and mix it with
charcoal broken small, in the proportion of seven parts peat to
one of charcoal: arrange the rhizomes among this compost and
saturate with water : no protection against sun is required.
LASTEEA MONTANA.
129
MOUNTAIN FERN, {the piniia a shows the natural size).
s
I'^O MOUNTAIN FEEN.
Genus. — Lastrea. Caudex tufted, its crown composed of
undeveloped fronds standing above the surface : midveins of
pinnules distinct ; lateral veins alternate, sometimes once
forked, but not uniformly ; each bears a circular mass of cap-
sules near, but not at, its extremity.
Species. — Montana. Caudex tufted : stipes very short,
almost wanting, chaiFy : frond semierect, lanceolate, much
attenuated at the base, pinnate : pinnte pinnatifid, divisions
rounded ; lower pinuee very short, deltoid, obtuse.
Polypodium fragrans, Linn. Mant. ii. S07 ; Tluds. Fl. Ang.
457, (2nd edition).
Polypodium montanum, Vogler, Diss, de Pol. mont. ; " Willd.
Berol. 291 " ; Roth, Flor. Germ. p. 447, No. 4.
Polypodium pterioides, Vill. Hist. PI. Dauph. iii. 841.
Polypodium limbospermum, Bell. Act. Taur. v. 253.
Polypodium Oreopteris, Ehrh. Beit7\ ; Dicks. Tr. Linn. Soc.
i. 181 ; With. Arr. 775.
Polipodium Thelypteris, Bolt. Fil. Brit. 40, t. 22.
Polystichum montanum. Roth, Flor. Germ. iii. 74.
Aspidium Oreopteris {Swartz), Sm. E. F. iv. 286, E. B. 1019 ;
Mack. Fl. Hib. 339 ; Hook, and Am. 569.
Lastrea Oreopteris, Bory, Diet. Class. d'Hist. Nat. vi. 588 ;
NetV7n. N. A. 17, F. 187 ; Bah. 410.
Hemestheum montanum, Newm. Phytol. Ajip. xxii.
The figures of this fern are generally good : that in Bolton,
which I have quoted above as beaiing the name of the pre-
ceding species, is excellent.
This fern has received six specific names, besides that of
Thelypteris erroneously assigned to it : it is the Polypodium
montanum of Vogler, and subsequently the Polystichum mon-
tanum of Roth, the Polypodium Oreopteris of Ehrhart and
Dickson, the Polypodium fragrans of the second, but not of the
LASTEEA MONTANA. 131
first, edition of Hudson's ' Flora Anglica,' the Polypodium pte-
rioides of Villars, the Polypodium hmbospermum of Bellardi,
and the Aspidium odoriferum of Gray's ' Natural Arrangement
of British Plants.' The earliest of these six names is monta-
num ; and although reluctant to exchange a name so generally
received as Oreopteris, for one so seldom employed as monta-
num, I think there is really no choice, especially as the older
name has been advisedly adopted by the most precise and
painstaking of German botanists.
The genus Lastrea was established by Bory in the year 1834.
That learned author placed the present species as its type, the
minute, fugitive, and mconstant involucre having entirely es-
caped his notice, as appears from the following passage in his
definition of the genus : — " Sa fructification consiste en sores
parfaitemejit nues, c'est a dire depourvues d'induse quelconque."
Presl transferred the name of Lastrea to such species as FUix-
mas, with this altered character : — " Indusium reniforme sinu
affixum : " and Mr. J. Smith, Mr. Babington, and others, have
followed him. The time has arrived to correct this mistake,
and if we accept the genus Lastrea, which Eobert Brown has
pronounced strictly natural (see ' Plantse Javanicas Eariores,'
p. 4), we must accept also the type-species as our guide, and
exclude such species as were advisedly and designedly excluded
by its author.
Lastrea montana grows throughout Europe, but, according
to Sadler, is confined to that continent, and I have seen it from
no other part of the world : in one or two instances it has been
confounded, though very injudiciously, with the beautiful Nova-
boracensis of the United States, a perfectly distinct species,
and closely related to Hemestheum Thelypteris.
In many of its characters this fern is so like the last, that it
is constantly taken for it, a circumstance which has led to a
profusion of errors respecting localities.
In Britain, this fern is an inhabitant of mountainous dis-
tricts ; it is more rarely found on low ground, and very seldom
in highly cultivated counties. It is particularly abundant in
132 MOUNTAIN FEEN.
the Highlands of Scotland, being, in many of the mountain
wilds, more common than Eupteris aqnilina ; it also abounds
in the hill districts of the North of England and Wales. It is
not, however, confined to hills, since we find it sparingly in all
our counties where there is waste ground : it approaches Lon-
don on all sides, occurring on Wimbledon Common, Hampstead
Heath, High Beech, and Blackheath. Notwithstanding its ap-
parent partiality for exposed and elevated districts, it grows
more beautifully and luxuriantly in woods, especially where
they are intersected by a little stream, on the banks of which it
will often be observed in profusion. At Houndsdown Bottom,
near Hindhead, in Surrey, it is particularly abundant and
luxuriant ; and the same is the case in Bridge Woods, near
Tunbridge Wells.
In Ireland it is very sparingly distributed : I only observed
it in abundance in two spots, — near Milroy Bay in the county
Donegal, and near Glendalough in the county Wicklow. It
occurs sparingly in the Killarney district : Mr. Moore has ob-
served it in the county of Londonderry, and Mr. E. T. Bennett
in the county. Clare, by the roadside between Innistymon and
Corrafin ; and in the county Galway, between Dooghty and
Ma'am ; plentifully on the ascent of Ma'am Turc pass from the
Ma'am Hotel ; and near Letterfrank.
The radicles of this fern are numerous, strong, tough, and
penetrating ; they appear to spread in every direction from a
large, scaly, tufted caudex, which yearly increases in magnitude.
In favourable situations, this sends forth thirty or forty fronds,
which spread with but little regularity round a common centre :
immediately these begin to unrol they exliibit the pinnse, placed
at right angles with the main rachis, and are not convolute, a
character worthy of particular notice, because unusual. The
fronds, when fully expanded, are very variable in size, depend-
ant chiefly on situation, but also in a great measure on the age
of the plant. An extraordinary number of seedlings are met
with where this fern is abundant : these, for two or three years,
bear little or no fruit, but after the third year fructification
LASTEEA MONTANA. 133
appears in abundance, and from tliat period all the fronds are
fertile. In the form of the frond there is little or no variation ;
it is elongate - lanceolate, and regularly pinnate : pinnse acute
at the apex, and gradually diminishing from about two-thirds
of its length to the very base, the lower pinn£e being remark-
ably short, and nearly triangular in form : this attenuation of
the frond towards the base is an excellent diagnostic (see figure
b, page 129), and is of itself sufficient to distinguish the present
from any other British fern. There is but a very small portion of
stipes below the pinnje, and this is nearly hidden by pale brown
scales. The pinnse are linear and acute at the apex, rather
distant, deeply pinnatifid, and attached to the main rachis only
by their midrib : a separate pinna is represented of the natu-
ral size at a, page 129. The pinnules are rounded and slightly
crenate : over the entire under surface are scattered small, yel-
lowish, glandular globules, which are adhesive to the touch,
and emit a powerful but not very agreeable odour : it is proba-
bly in consequence of this property that the species was origi-
nally named Polypodium fragrans by Linneus.
The veins in the pinnules of Lastrea montana are alternate,
and are either simple or branched : in the latter case both veins
are fruitful, as in Hemestheum Thelypteris. Sometimes the
veins or branches are again divided just before their termina-
tion, and then each of the subdivisions is usually fruitful : all
the veins and branches cease just before the
margin of the pinnule : the clusters of cap-
sules are circular, and are placed very near
the extremity of each vein, so as form a
nearly marginal series. In some instances, y^^ V^®/
but by no means generally, a small, torn,
white involucre is to be seen near the centre
of each cluster of capsules, as represented
in the margin. This involucre is said to be
reniform, a character I have never been able
to detect : in general the masses are perfectly naked, and even
before the frond has unrolled this absence of an involucre is
equally manifest ; a circumstance worthy of notice, as showing
that its frequent absence is a character, and not the result of
age or accident.
134
MOUNTAIN FEEN,
Sir J. E. Smith makes a variety (3. of Bay's " F. ^Dumila sax-
atilis altera Clusii," which seems to be nothing more than the
ordinary seedling form of the species.
€ultmt
Plant this fern in yellow loam, without any admixture of
other soil. It siTcceeds best in the open air, but will also
thrive in a cool and thoroughly ventilated greenhouse, pro-
vided the pot stand constantly' in water.
'■\
LOPHODIUM FCENISECII.
135
BEEE'S FEEN, {one-fourth the natural size).
136 beee's feen.
Genus. — Lophodium. Caudex large, massive, and persist-
ent, increasing by slow and almost imperceptible degrees,
generally erect, but sometimes prostrate, its growing extremity
always composed of a most obvious crown of undeveloped
fronds : fronds with the first upper pinnule somewhat larger
than the second, and notably less than the first lower pinnule :
all the ultimate divisions of the frond terminating in a short
spine, or mucronato-serrate : midvein of ultimate divisions al-
ways distiuct ; lateral veins once or twice forked, each branch
running towards a spine, but always ceasing before reaching it :
clusters of capsules borne on the anterior branch of each di-
vided vein, and situated half-way between its base and extre-
mity : involucre small, not covering the capsules, subreniform,
placed obliquely to the plane of the pinnule, attached at an
emargination, which is placed towards the base of the capsuli-
ferous vein, and directing its free margin in a contrary direction.
Species. — Fosnisecii. Caudex tufted, large, crown unusually
broad : stipes as long as the frond, woody, clothed with long,
narrow, sometimes laciniated scales : frond strictly evergi-een,
elongate -triangular, drooping, elegant, pale delicate green when
young, its under surface sprinkled over with sessile, pellucid
glands, pinnate : lowest pair of pmnae longest, stipitate, all the
piunse pinnate : all the ultimate divisions of the frond concave,
but the entire frond, as well as each pinna, convex : involucre
jagged, without stalked glands : clusters of capsules round,
distributed over every part of the frond.
Filix alpina Myrrhidis facie Cambrobritannica, Pluk. Aim.
155, Phyt tab. 89, f. 4.
FiHx montana ramosa minor argute denticulata, Ray, Syn.
27. 1690. Edit. 3, p. 124. 1724.
"Polypodium rhseticum, Huds. 458, according to the Banks-
ian Herbarium," Sm.
"Polypodium cristatum, /3. Huds. ed. 1, 390," Sm.
LOPHODIUM FCENISECII. 137
?? Aspidium dumetorum, Sm. E. F. iv. 294, 1828. (The
reference is suggested by the synonymes and localities).
Nephrodium foenisecii, Loive, Camb. Phil. Trans, iv. 7. 1832.
Aspidium dilatatum, var. recurvum, Bree, Mag, Nat. Hist.
iv. 162. 1831.
Aspiditim recurvum, Bree, Phytol. i. 773. 1843.
Lastrea recurva, Neicm. N. A. 23, F. 225. 1844.
Lastrea foenisecii, JFafeon, P/ij/toL ii. 668. 1846. TJat. 411.
1851. Moore, 132, (excl. the figure). 1853.
Aspidium spinulosum, y. Hook, and Am. 571. 1850.
Lophodium recurvum, Newm. Phytol. iv. 371. 1851.
Lophodium foenisecii, Newm. Phytol. App. xvi. 1851.
Tlie figure in Plukenet is very good, so far as outline and
division are concerned, but the convexity of the major, and the
concavity of the minor divisions, is of necessity omitted.
The earliest notices of this fern are in Eay's ' Synopsis,' before
quoted (p. 100 of this work), and in Plukenet's ' Almagestum,'
also cited. An interesting addition to Ray's original descrip-
tion appears in the 3rd edition of the ' Synopsis,' as follows : —
" Viviradices prope Phainon Vellon quondam eradicavi, quffi
jam in horto nostro vigent. Loco natali planta est admodum
rara ; Dr. Richardson." Sir J. E. Smith assigns both Eay's
and Plukenet's synonymes to his Aspidium dumetorum, but
neither his description, nor his specimens now in the herba-
rium of the Linnean Society, at aU bear out this view. In 1831
the Eev. W. T. Bree described the plant in Loudon's ' Maga-
zine of Natural History,' as Aspidium dilatatum, var. recurvum.
Subsequently, in 1832, the Eev. Mr. Lowe described the species
in the Cambridge ' Philosophical Transactions,' as an inhabi-
tant of Madeira, under the name of Nephrodium fosnisecii :
and in 1843, Mr. Bree expressed his opinion in the ' Phytolo-
gist ' that it was a distinct species, and proposed to call it As-
pidium recurvum. In 1841, it was described as Lastrea recurva
in the ' British Ferns.' In 1846, Mr. Watson pointed out to
me that the foenisecii of Lowe and the recurva of Bree are iden-
tical ; and in the ' Phytologist ' for the same year, that emment
botanist named the plant Lastrea foenisecii. In 1850, the
learned authors of the ' British Flora/ in a long and elaborate
foot-note to their Aspidium spinulosum, assign their reasons
for considering this fern a form of that sjiecies. In 1861, I
T
138 beee's fern.
redescribed the plant in the Appendix to the'Phytologist' under
the name of Lophodium fenisecii, convinced that it could not
be botanically associated with the species placed as typical by
the original describers of the genera Aspidium, Nephrodium or
Lastrea. Such is a concise summary of the botanical history
of this truly beautiful, and, to me, most interesting fern.
In my list of synonymes I give references to all the authors
whom I believe to have noticed it, omitting, however, a great
number of papers in different volumes of the ' Phytologist,'
which dwell principally on the propriety or impropriety of the
name. Mr. Moore's description certainly refers to the plant
under consideration ; but I fear his artist has made some mis-
take about the figure, which as certainly does not represent the
deltoid outline of foenisecii.
In the Azores, Madeira, the Cape de Verde and Canary
Islands, Lophodium foenisecii appears to be a common fern.
In Britain, its distribution is not in accordance with any
general law of fern-geography. It appears to have landed,
from the Atlantic, on the south-western points of England and
Ireland, and to have made itseM perfectly at home : it is pro-^
fusely abundant in Cornwall, Cork, and Kerry ; it spreads
northward and eastward from each of these, its great strong-
holds, and also appears here and there in detached and distant
localities. It grows amidst grass in exposed and rocky situa-
tions, and also abounds in warm and sheltered woods, especially
in the vicinity of water-com'ses ; the latter appears its natural
habitat, since in the former situation it is dwarf, less copiously
fruited, and appears altogether less healthy and vigorous. I
am compelled to neglect many communications which possibly
refer to this species, because I find the plant so imperfectly
known. In almost every locality mentioned, I have either seen
the plant growing, or possess specimens therefrom : when this
is not the case, I give the information in parentheses, not from
any doubt of the veracity of the information, but because I feel
certain that the species is still imperfectly known. It must
therefore by no means be presumed that I suppose the range
LOPHODIUM FCENISECn. 139
confined to the few counties I have mentioned ; hut these are
the only habitats for the accuracy of which I am enabled to
vouch from actual observation.
In Scotland it is certainly a rare fern, but the following localities may
be recorded : — (Hoy Hill, Orkney ; Mr. Anderson). Isle of Mull ; Mr.
W. Tanner, to whom I am indebted for a specimen. (Isle of Arran ; Dr.
Balfour). Shore of Loch Lomond ; a lady, who has obligingly sent me a
specimen. (Forfarshire ; the late Mr. Gardiner).
England and Wales. — (Northumberland ; Mr. Embleton : " Rocks
in the dean below Marshall-meadows; and from Dirrington Law;" —
' Terra Lindisfamensis,' p. 248. I think the learned author, in calling it a
" reputed species," and using other similar expressions, imphes that he is
not at home with this odoriferous plant). Cumberland ; I am indebted
to Mr. Pinder for specimens gathered near St. Bees Head, in this county :
and through the kindness of other correspondents, I have seen many spe-
cimens from the coast of the county. Yorkshire ; I am indebted to Mr.
Bean for beautiful specimens gathered near Scarborough, and to my kind
friend, Mr. Tatham, for others from near Settle. Descending southward,
it appears again in North Wales : Dr. Allohin, and several other botanists,
have gathered it in the Snowdon district ; and I possess a specimen from
the very spot where it was first found by Mr. Lloyd : Mr. Maw has lately
found it on Holyhead mountain in abundance, and has kindly shown me
his specimens, some of which exactly resemble Plukenet's elegant figure :
and Mr. Edward Young has found it at Melincourt Waterfall, in Glamor-
ganshire, but nowhere else in the Vale of Neath, which he has thoroughly
searched. (Somersetshire; the Rev. W. H. Coleman). Devonshire; the
Rev. W. S. Hore, whose specimens I have not seen, but who is well ac-
quainted with the species, has found it in great abundance around Clovelly, in
this county, extending nearly to Helsworthy, which-is about ten miles inland
(see Phytol. iv. 96). In Cornwall it has been observed by so many botanists
that I can scarcely enumerate them : from the Rev. W. S. Hore, the Rev. 0.
A. Johns, the Rev. W. T. Bree, Mr. Ralfs, Mr. R. Watson, Mr. T. West-
combe, the late Mr. Alfred Greenwood, Mr. W. Bennett, and a number of
others, I have received specimens or localities ; indeed, it seems to be the
most common feni in this maritime county. Sussex ; I am ijidehted to
Mr. Bree for a specimen procured by Mr. Dickson from this county ; and
to Mr. E. Jenner, of Lewes, for several others, gathered at Bridge Rocks,
Tunbridge Wells : Mr. Jenner had also the kindness to conduct me to
the spot where it abounds, and thus afforded me the pleasui-e of examin-
ing the plant in every stage while yet growing ; I found that every charac-
ter seemed to justify the opinion I had formed in Ireland four years pre-
viously, of its being perfectly distinct as a species : Mr. Lu.xford has found
140
EEEE S FERN.
the same plant upon the moist wooded slope opposite the rocks at West
Hoathly ; and, conducted by my friend, Mr. John Hutchinson, I visited
this locaHty in August, 1853, and found it, not only there, but in other
neighbouring localities.
Iheland. — Antrim ; I first saw this beautiful fern growing luxuriantly
below the basaltic cliffs at Fair Head. Londonderry ; near Goleraine, near
Kushbrook, in several localities near Garvagh, and near Londondeny. Do-
negal ; several places on the banks of Lough SwUly, Milroy Bay, Arrigal
Hill, near Donegal, and about Lough Derg. Sligo ; among limestone
rocks on the approach to Shgo from Manorhamilton. Mayo ; foot of Ne-
phin, Coraan Achill, Newport, Westport, &c. Galway ; about Clifden,
about Roundstone and BaUinahinch, and near Oughterard, Clare ; near
Loop Head. Kerry ; on all the mountains and in aU the woods : in the
neighbourhood of Killamey it is so conspicuous an object as to have excited
the admiration of many botanists. Mr. Ogilby, of Dublin, writes thus : —
" This is, in my opinion, the most beautiful of our robust ferns : in style
of growth and elegance of form it is most striking ; it presents two tiers of
fronds, if I may so describe them, the lower more pendulous, the upper
more erect, and it is on the more erect fronds that the fructification is most
perfectly developed : the dark purple stem contrasting with the Hght green
and crisped appearance of the pinnfe gives a peculiarly elegant feature to the
plant : it likes the seclusion of trees, and places where it is not pressed by
other vegetation ; on spots about Dinis Island, and more particularly under
Cromaglaun mountain, it may be seen fully developing all its loveliness."
At O'Sullivan's Cascade, in the same neighbourhood, I observed it in the
most graceful and beautiful luxuriance ; it forms a chief ornament of that
exquisite little waterfall. I am indebted to Mr. Ogilhy and Mr. S. P. Wood-
ward, for specimens from the vicinity of Killamey ; and to the late Dr. Tay-
lor, of Dunkerron Castle, for others from the neighbourhood of Kenmare.
Cork ; I found it in prafusion in the woods about Glengarriff, and am in-
debted to Mr. Woodward for a specimen gathered in the vicinity of Cork.
Watetford ; I saw fcenisecii in several places in this county without inten-
tionally searching after it. Wicklow ; most abundant, beautiful, and luxu-
riant at Glendalough : it hero occm's of every possible gradation of size ; on
the exposed and bare rocks it is very diminutive, but in the woods it attains
a large size, and is equally beautiful with the specimens growing in the
woods about Killarney.
gtstriptioiL
The radicles are very strong, and penetrate the fissures of
the Sussex rocks, on which this fern ahounds, to a great depth,
LOPHODIUM FCENISECII. 141
SO that they are difficult to extract, and are commonly broken
in the attempt. The caudex is remarkably large, solid, and
woody, its crown broad and circular, and the undeveloped
fronds seem unusually numerous, and look like a mass of no-,
dules crowded together. The fronds, on first rising from the
earth, are regularly convolute, and when they exhibit the first
symptoms of unfolding, the two lower pinnae are very conspicu-
ous, and their superior size is still more manifest than at a later
period. When the frond is entirely unfolded, it is of an elon-
gate-triangular form, of a very gracefully curved habit, and
about equal in length to the stipes, which is dark purple in co-
lour, very hard and woody in texture, and very long-enduring ;
it is clothed with narrow, elongate, laciniated, pointed, brown,
concolorous scales, which, in luxluriant plants, are frequently so
numerous and so divided as to give the stipes a woolly appear-
ance : one of these scales is shown in the right hand figure at
page 146. The frond is pinnate, and, as in all truly deltoid
ferns, the lower pinnae are notably larger and longer than the
rest, and very distinctly stipitate. The pinnae are pinnate, the
pinnules pinnate, and the lobes again divided and serrated, and
all the serratures terminate in short spines. The inferior pin-
nules are generally larger than the superior, and the first infe-
rior pinnule of the lower pair of pinnae is vastly superior to all
the rest in magnitude. The colour of the young frond is a
most lovely green, and all its ultimate divisions are concave,
giving to the plant, especially when young and barren, a very
peculiar and crisped appearance. The under sm-face of the
frond is abundantly sprinkled over with minute, sessile, pellu-
cid, globular, and, I presume, glandular bodies ; a distinctive
character of the species, and one for the knowledge of which I
was first indebted to a kind communication from Lord Downe,
then the Hon. W. H. Dawnay. These bodies, in all probability,
emit the hay-like scent which induced Mr. Lowe to give the
species the very appropriate name of " foenisecii."
The clusters of capsules are circular, and are equally distri-
buted over all the frond : they are partially covered by a slightly
convex and somewhat reniform involucre, the margins of which
are jagged and uneven, and are sometimes beset with a few of
those globular, sessile glands which have been described as
sprinkled generally over the under surface of the frond : this
142 beee's fern.
character was first pointed out to me by Mr. Jenner, when we
were examining the living plants at Bridge Bocks ; and I am
indebted to that gentleman for much kind assistance in my first
endeavours to distinguish this species from its congeners.
My much-esteemed friend, Mr. Yarrell, first pointed out to
me the fact, that the fronds of this fern wither, like those of
Filix-foemina, almost immediately on being gathered ; but
notwithstanding this peculiarity, we have no fern of which the
fronds are more perfectly persistent : but this character again
fails in the very fruitful fronds.
Mr. Lowe has described and named two varieties of this fern,
as below : —
" a. alatum ; fronde 4-pinnatifida ; pinnis inferioribus (primi
secundique ordhiis) triangularibus vel ovatis, externis interiori-
bus oppositis valdd majoribus : pari infimo j)innarum (primi
ordinis) basi deorsum ramoso ; pinnula (secundi ordinis) potis-
simiim prima (aliquando etiam secunda) inferiore s. exteriore
deorsum products.
" Hab. in sylvis Vaccinii padifohi, Sm., Maderse ; ubique
vulgatissima.
" /3. productum ; fronde tripinnatifida, pauUo magis elongata :
pinnis omnibus oblongis ; externis internis oppositis vix majo-
ribus : laciniarum ultimarum dentibus subaristatis.
" Hab. in umbrosis humidioribus Maderse ; rariss.
" /3. Statu potius prioris (a.), e loco obscuriore, defectu lumi-
nis, &c., quam varietas videtur.
" Frons in utraque varietate nana, 1 — 1|- pedes (una cum
stipite) longa, ierb pedalis; 6 — 8 poUices lata: stipite vix dimi-
dium totius longitudinis sequante. In utraque odor idem gra-
tissimus foenum novum redolens, constans." — Phytol. iii. 510.
Both forms occur in Ireland, and in Cornwall, but it does
not appear to me that they require naming, since the more
elongate form appears constantly to grow among thick herbage,
or in deep shade, and to owe its character to this cause : it is
not so common, or indeed so normal, as the deltoid form.
LOPHODIUM F(ENISECn. 143
€uMt
A most desirable fern, both for the garden and the green-
house. It grows readily in the ordinary mixture of loam, peat,
and sand, requires abundant watering, and enjoys shade. In
the garden it should, if practicable, be placed on a rockery com-
posed of sandstone : in a greenhouse it is the very best of our
British species ; its beautiful colom*, elegant habit, truly ever-
green character, and perfect hardiness, render it of unequalled
value as a house fern. As it is a remarkably neat and compact
plant, and never addicted to coarse or rambling growth, a num-
ber of roots may be planted together, and produce a very pleas-
ing effect. Having first obtained a seed-pan of the largest size,
cover the bottom with Sphagnum and charcoal, the latter m
lumps as large as a hazel nut : then fill the pan to its rim with
the compost, and having pressed this down, saturate with water :
then having previously provided twenty or thirty small plants
of the fern, and as many moderately-sized pieces of sandstone,
build a conical pile above the soil already in the pan, intermix-
ing stones and ferns, and filling the interstices firmly with the
compost.
The figures below represent the involucres of three species
of Lophodium : a, spinosum ; b, multiflorum ; c, fcenisecii.
144
PINDEE S FERN.
FINDER'S FERN.
Genus. — Lophodium. (See page 130).
Species. — Collinum. Caudex tufted; crown broad, dark-
coloured : fronds symmetrically arranged round a centre, but
not numerous : stipes notably shorter than the frond, clothed
at the base with lanceolate scales, which are dark-coloured,
with still darker apices : fronds pinnate : pinnee pinnate : pin-
nules serrated, the teeth scarcely mucronate ; under surface
glandular : clusters of capsules scattered, rather small, distri-
buted over the entire under surface : involucre jagged at the
margin, and fringed more or less with stalked glands.
Lastrea multiflora, var. collina, Newm. F. 233.
Lastrea dilatata, $. collina, Moore, 123.
Lastrea collina, Moore, 128.
I think it possible, but extremely difficult to j)rove, that
this plant is the Polj'podium tanacetifolium of Hoffmann, in
' Deutschlands Flora,' ii. 8 ; and the Polystichum tanacetifo-
lium of Lamai'ck and DeCandoUe, ' Flore Frangaise,' ii. 562.
Beyond the limits of Britain I know nothing of this fern.
In England, it occurs in the Lake district of Lancashii-e and
Westmoreland, and in Yorkshire ; and I am indebted to the
Eev. Mr. Finder, and to Miss Beever for specimens, and for all
the information I possess respecting the species.
lAIPHODIUM niT.LTNUM.
1J5
Badicles numerous, black : cau-
dex tufted ; crown rather broad, very
dark-coloured, clothed with dark
brown scales : stipes notably shorter
than the frond, very green towards
the frond, but dark purple below :
the frond pinnate ; pinnte sublinear,
acute, distant, generally spreading,
being attached nearly at right angles
with the rachis, pinnate : pinnules
blunt, lobed, lobes serrated, teeth of
the serratures broad, scarcely mu-
cronate : under surface glandular :
involucre jagged, fringed more or
less with stalked glands.
Jift.
\hnttm.
The form of this fern is exceed-
ingly various, but I do not think I
shall be justified in describing, much
less in naming the varieties, which
depend solely on the outline or cir-
cumscription of the frond. My ex-
amples, all agreeing in the blunted
apices of the serratures, and in the
character of the scales and glands,
are more various in outline than all
the other species of the genus : the
extreme forms in one direction are
regularly deltoid, and, in the other
direction, narrow linear-lanceolate.
I take the deltoid for the younger,
and the lanceolate for the older
plant : a root found by the Rev. Mr.
Pinder near Chapel Styles, in Westmoreland, bearing fronds
u
146
PINDEE S PEEN.
of an intermediate form, produced the lanceolate frond after
being some time in cultivation. Notwithstanding the protean
character of this fern as regards outline, and notwithstanding
the difficulty I feel in giving it anything approaching a satis-
factory specific description, stiU, influenced mainly by some
peculiarity which arrests the eye, but which I have not yet been
able to describe, I incline to regard it as distinct : I do not,
however, wish to be understood as contending for the exist-
ence of species which cannot be botanically separated.
CttltttW.
I have had a plant living several years in a cold greenhouse :
potted in sandy peat, and well supplied with water and drain-
age, it becomes yearly more lanceolate.
The figures below represent three scales taken from three
species of Lophodium : a, spinosum ; h, multiflorum ; c, foeni-
secii.
LOPHODIUM MULTIFLOEUM.
147
ROTH'S FERN, {one-sixteenth the natural size).
148 roth's fern.
€\nxnttm.
Genus. — Lophodium. (See page 136).
Species. — Multifloeum. Caudex tufted, large, solid,
long- enduring, its crown densely scaly : fronds symmetrically
arranged round the crown : stipes very stout, nearly as long as
the frond, densely clothed with long pointed scales, which are
dark brown along the middle but pale at the edges : frond
glandular when young, very large, deep green, drooping, ovate-
lanceolate, pinnate : pinnse pinnate ; lowest pair usually shorter
than the second, third, fourth or fifth : pinnules pinnate or
pinnatifid : ultimate divisions serrated, spined : all the divi-
sions of the frond convex : involucre nearly circular, fringed
with stalked glands : clusters of capsules circular, covering
every part of the frond.
Polypodium cristatum, Linn. Sp. PL 1551 ; " Willd. Prod.
Berol. No. 885 ; Fl. Germ. p. 448, No. 6," teste Eoth.
Polypodium multiflorum, Roth, Catalecta Bot. Fasc. i. p. 135.
Aspidium dilatatum, spinulosum, and dumetorum, Sm. E. F.
iv. 292 — 4, and also of Smith's Herbarium, now in the
possession of the Linnean Society.
Aspidium spinulosum, Swartz, Syn. Fil. 420 ; Willd. Sp. PI.
V. 202; Fries, Summa, 82.
Polystichum multiflorum, Roth, Fl. Germ. iii. 87.
Lastrea spinulosa, Presl, Tent. Pteridog. 76.
Lastrea dilatata, Netvm. N. A. 23 ; Bab. 411.
Lastrea multiflora, Neiom. F. 215.
Lophodium multiflorum, Neivm. Phytol. iv. 371, App. xvii.
I adopt Roth's name of " multiflorum," not because it has
the claim of priority, which is, however, probably the case, but
because I cannot feel certain that any prior description was
intended to represent that individual species to which Both
exclusively refers. The names of cristatum, dilatatum and
spinulosum are indifferently applied to this species by those
botanists who think that off-hand decisions are preferable to
LOPHODIUM MULTIFLORUM. 149
painstaking investigations. Be this as it may, I hope to find
botanists willing to do honour to Roth's admirable description
by adopting his name ; for of a truth we may exclaim with him,
— "Maximte sane et fer6 insuperabiles in determinatione hujus
filicis difficultates." A volume might be filled in an attempt to
unravel its synonymy ; and it seems most advisable to adopt,
without discussion, the only name accompanied by a descrip-
tion that is really intelligible. I quite agree with Mr. Babing-
ton's remark on another name similarly circumstanced to those
I have mentioned : that judicious botanist observes, — "As the
name has been employed to designate each of them, by one or
more authors, it seems desirable to allow it to fall out of use,
for its retention only tends to cause confusion." — Phytol. iv.
1160.
This fern is so imperfectly known that I am unable to give
its European range, but believe it to be common on the conti-
nent. I have received no corresponding form from my friends
in the United States.
I believe this fern to be universally distributed throughout
the British Islands : it grows luxuriantly in moist woods, de-
lighting in vegetable mould, and attains a great size on warm,
sheltered hedge-banks, particularly if accompanied by a ditch.
I am indebted to Mr. Buxton Shillitoe for an enormous caudex
of this plant, standing in an erect position nearly a foot above
the surface of the soil, and measuring more than a foot in cir-
cumference.
The radicles are numerous, black, wiry, and very tenacious :
the caudex is large and tufted ; I have never found it either
horizontally elongated or branched. The crown of the caudex
is densely clothed with large, long, dark brown scales. The
fronds rise early in May, and continue to come up until Mid-
summer ; they are symmetrically arranged round the crown,
150
EOTH S FEEN.
and are characterized by a peculiarity in vernation which I
have not hitherto seen noticed; the main rachis of the frond,
instead of being regularly circinate, or composed of diminish-
ing rings, like those of an Ionic volute, is doubled near the in-
sertion of the second pair of pinnse, and turns back, forming
a kind of loop. I have endeavoured to exemplify this in the
accompanying figures, which are of the natural size. Fig. a
shows the crown of the caudex before the fronds have begun to
expand ; h is the basal portion of the stipes of a young frond ;
c its apex ; d shows the peculiar bend of the frond above de-
scribed ; and e the rachis of the same frond, in the same
position, but stripped of its pinnae and scales.
LOPHODIUM MULTIFLOEUM. 151
In favourable situations, the fronds of mature plants, includ-
ing the stipes, measure five feet in length : this magnitude is,
I believe, unequalled by any of our British ferns, except the
common brakes and Osmunda regalis. I select for description
a specimen, for which I am indebted to Mr. John Eay, of
Epping ; and first give its dimensions. Total length from the
caudex to the apex of frond, 60 inches : from the caudex to the
insertion of the first pair of pinnse, 24 inches : from the inser-
tion of the first pair of pinnae to the apex of frond, 36 inches.
It must, however, be borne in mind, that the relative length of
the stipes and frond is subject to great variation, being influ-
enced by situation, degree of moisture, nature of soil, quantity
of shade, and a number of other casualties. The length of the
first pair of pinnae is 7f inches ; second pair, 8|- inches ; third,
8f ; fourth, 9 inches ; sixth, 8f ; seventh, 8 ; eighth, 7 ; ninth,
6 ; tenth, 4| ; eleventh, 4 ; twelfth, 3 ; thirteenth, 2^ ; four-
teenth, 2 : the remainder rapidly decrease in length, until the
frond terminates in an acute point. The lengths of the rachis
between the pairs of pinnse are these : — in the first instance,
4j inches ; in the second, Sj ; in the third, 3j ; in the fourth,
3 ; in the fifth, 2j ; in the sixth, 2y ; in the seventh, 2 ; in the
eighth, If ; in the ninth, Ij ; in the tenth, IJ ; in the eleventh,
1 ; in the twelfth, f ; in the thirteenth, ^ an inch. From these
admeasurements it will appear that the form of the frond may
be described as oblong-lanceolate, and cannot, in any accepta-
tion of the term, be characterized as deltoid or triangular,
words which are almost invariably employed in the description
of what is named " Aspidium dHatatum." And I may remaik,
that although I have examined some hundreds of mature
fronds, I have never seen one more nearly triangular than that
of which I have given the admeasurements. That triangular
fronds do frequently occur, I will not dispute ; but these are
from seedUng or starved plants, or are often without fruit,
always of less size, or, from some cause or other, have not at-
tained their normal form. The stipes is very stout at the base,
and thickly clothed with long, pointed scales, which are of a
very dark brown colour along the middle, pale brown and nearly
transparent at the sides : this character is amply sufficient to
distinguish this species from those which are generally con-
founded with it. One of these scales is represented by the
152
BOTH S FEEX.
middle figure at page 14 0. The frond is pinnate : the pinnae
are nearly oj)posite, and, as we have seen hj the admeasure-
ments, the pairs gi'adually approximate from the base towards
the apex : the first and second pairs are verj^ broad at the base,
in some instances nearly triangular ; the third is longer and
narrower ; the fourth, fifth, and sixth still longer and narrower,
and also more linear, the sides being nearly parallel : all the
pinnae are pinnate, except those quite at the apex of the frond :
the pinnules are distinctly separate, and almost stalked ; those
of the ujjper pinnae are connected by an extremely slender wing
of the midrib of the pinna, but this wing is not to be distin-
guished on the lower pinnae, except near the point ; the pin-
nules of the lower pinnae are pinnate, those on the middle are
pinnatifid, and on the upper deeply lobed : aU the divisions are
serrated, and each terminates in a short but distinct spme. In
the first, second, and third pairs of pinnae, the inferior pinnules
are generally longer than the superior ; the first, second, and
third inferior pinnules of the first pair of pinnae are almost
invariably longer and altogether larger than those which suc-
ceed them ; the diminution of the rest in size is sometimes
very abrupt, sometimes gradual.
Every lateral vein supplies one lobe or division of a pinnule ;
it is always branched, and almost every anterior branch bears
a cluster of capsules : these are scattered generally over the
frond, without any definite arrangement : they are covered by a
very irregular but somewhat reniform involucre, the margins of
which are uneven, and more or less fringed with stalked trans-
parent glands. These are described as characteristic of As-
pidium spinulosum by Swartz, Willdenow, and Fries ; and the
present plant is thus identified with the A. spinulosum of those
authors.
Varieties.
This is usually stated to be a very variable fern ; but the
degree of variation will, I imagine, be found very much to de-
pend on the number of species included under one name. I
do not wish to moot the subtle question of "what is a species ? "
but I think it is convenierit to assign a name to every object
LOPHODIUM MULTIPLOEUM.
153
that the accustomed eye acknowledges to be distinct : this is
the case with the eight Lophodia ; whether they are properly
termed species, varieties, or forms, matters but little ; they are
objects with which all cultivators are intimately acquainted, and
therefore cultivators, as well as inquirers, will be glad of names
whereby to designate them. In conformity with this view, I
have separated and named as species all the forms but one, and
that one I now propose to describe as a variety.
This plant, for which I propose the name
of " nanum," and of which a figure is given
in the margin, rather less than the natural
size, is dwarf, rigid, and convex in every
part, and usually of a very dark green co-
lour, sometimes inclining to brown. The
clusters of capsiiles are large, very distant,
very dark-coloured, and conceal, rather than
are covered by, a small shapeless involucre,
on which I have never discovered the glands
observable in the normal form of the plant.
It is of frequent occurrence in the boggy and
hill districts of Scotland and Ireland, and I
have seen it, although more sparingly, on
the mountains of Wales, and in the woods
of Sussex and Kent. Its character did not
appear changed by cultivation for two years
at Leominster ; and Mr. Tatham, who has
paid much attention to this form, informs me that he has ob-
served it in one station for twenty years, but that it never
attains a greater size, although the normal state of L. multiflo-
rum, in the same locality, attains a height of three feet.
CttltttCt.
Lophodium multiflorum grows freely in cultivation : planted
in rich vegetable mould, it attains an enormous size : it should
be abundantly supplied with moisture.
154 Bennett's fekn.
! BENNETT'S FERN.
Genus. — Lophodium. (See page 136).
Species. — Glandulosum. Caudex tufted, very large and
long-enduring; its crown smooth, pale whitish brown, com-
posed of undeveloped fronds, covered with pale, roundish,
concolorous scales : stipes scarcely half so long as the frond,
densely covered at the base with large, roundish, concolorous
scales : fronds symmetrically arranged round a centre, lanceo-
late, pinnate, so densely covered on the under surface, as well
as on the general and partial rachides, with minute stalked
glands, as to have a rough and somewhat clammy feel : pinnae
pinnate : pinnules lobed ; the lobes serrated : involucres with
stalked glands on the margin.
Lastrea giandulosa, Newm. Phytol. iv. 256.
I know of no figure of this fern, and suppose that none has
ever been published. I distrust my power to make such a
drawing as would distinguish it from its congeners, since its dis-
tinctive characters are scarcely such as the pencil will portray.
I have neither seen nor heard of this fern beyond the limits
of three English counties, -^ Shropshire, Gloucestershire, and
Essex; and the first of these I feel strongly inclined to exclude,
but extract the passage in which it is indicated : — " Even at
equal elevations, there are differences among the plants which
have been pronounced specific ; as in the instance of L. gian-
dulosa of Newman, a species founded upon a solitary plant of
L. dilatata [L. multiflorum] (as it would appear), observed by
Mr. Pm-chas in Dean Forest, Gloucestershire. I am indebted
LOPHODIUM GLANDULOSUM. 155
to Mr. Purchas for a frond from that plant, which is certainly
remarkable for its decidedly glandular character ; but I possess
other specimens which appear to connect it with the more usual
form of L. dilatata [L. multiflorum], particularly one from Tit-
terstone Clee HOls, labelled by Mr. Edwin Lees doubtfully,
' Aspidium rigidum ? ' This specimen is in bad condition, but
better may perhaps be gathered there by some botanist, if I
add the direction to the spot : — ' North side, among the basalt
stones beneath the summit.' " — Mr. Watson, in Cyb. Brit. iii.
270. I have two observations to make on this extract ; the
first I should not thiak worth my whUe, were it not for Mr.
Watson's almost proverbial accuracy. 1. My having founded
the species on a single plant is not exactly the fact, although
I have probably written or said something which has led Mr.
Watson to this conclusion. My first acquaintance with the
species was through Mr. Bennett and his son, who kindly gave
me a magnificent living plant, and I cannot find any allusion to
rarity in my correspondence with those zealous botanists relat-
ing to this species : moreover, Mr. Bennett has it in his garden
at Brockham : and the dried fronds I have examined appear
to have been gathered from many plants. Mr. Purchas also
speaks of "some young plants." I think I am thus exculpated
from the charge of having founded the species on a single plant.
2. During the past summer I visited the Titterstone Clee, and
examined the specimens of L. multiflorum which abound in the
locality indicated, but cannot refer them to glandulosum.
The Forest of Dean and its neighbourhood remains an un-
doubted locality; and Epping Forest, in Essex, must be added.
Mr. Doubleday has most kindly given me two very large plants
from the vicinity of Epping, and has others growing in his gar-
den. The Epping plants are of great age, of almost gigantic
size, and perfectly characteristic in aU respects : in my commu-
nications with Mr. Doubleday, I find Nothing to indicate that
the plant is uncommon in his neighbourhood.
Radicles very numerous, large, long, extremely tenacious,
and nearly black : caudex very large, solid, and long-enduring ;
156
BENNETT S FEEX.
its position vertical ; its crown very smooth, of a pale whitish
brown colour, composed of undeveloped fronds, which are co-
vered with pale, rounded, concolorous, closely appressed scales:
stipes notably shorter than the frond, densely covered at the
base, more sparingly upwards, with large, flat, nearly round,
concolorous scales : fronds very large, semierect, arranged sym-
metrically round a centre ; every part of their under surface,
mcluding the general and partial rachides, so densely covered
with minute stalked glands, as to convey a most evident ap-
pearance of mealiness to the eye, and of roughness and sticki-
ness to the touch. The fronds are pinnate ; the pinnules are
lobed and serrated, and the teeth of the serratures mucrom,te.
The involucres have stalked glands on their edge, and a .''ew
occasionally, not constantly, on their disk.
I am by no means anxious to obtain specific rank for this
fern : like Polystichum angulare, Amesium germanicum, and
one or two others, it presents just such characters as produce
different effects on different minds; in its symmetrical arrange-
ment of fronds it resembles L. multiflorum ; but in the pale
appearance of the crown, and the outline and colour of the
scales, it differs widely from the normal form of that species :
again, in its remarkable glandulosity it recedes from spino-
sum more strikingly than any other species of the genus Lo-
phodium ; the symmetrical arrangement of fronds, the strictly
tufted character of the caudex, and its very large size, are fur-
ther objections to its being united with that species.
€\xllm.
This handsome fern grows luxuriantly in peat, with an ad-
mixture of leaf-mould ; it retains every peculiarity, and repro-
duces itself readily from seed. Cultivated side by side with
multiflorum and spinosum, under circumstances calculated to
produce the greatest state of luxuriance and vigour, it remains
notably distinct from both. In a greenhouse it requires a very
large pot ; a rich vegetable soil intermixed with peat ; abun-
dance of water, and good drainage.
LOPHODIUM SPIXOSUM.
157
WITHEEING'S FEEN, (one-eighth the natural size).
€\uudm.
Genus. — Lophodium. (See page 136).
Species. — Spinosdm. Caudex stout, slowly but extensively
creeping; its crown composed of convolute unfolded fronds,
158 witheeing's fern.
smoothly covered with whitish closely appressed flat scales,
which do not in the slightest degree conceal their form ; sti]3es
as long as the frond, pm'ple at the base, with scattered, broad,
rounded, pale brown, diaphanous scales: frond eglandulose, pale
green, slightly drooping, elongate, linear, pinnate : pinnse rather
distant, winged, pinnate : pinnules at the base of the pinnae
separated from the midrib by a deep notch, towards the apex of
the pinnae decurrent, all lobed, the lobes serrated, the teeth
of the serratures acutely spined : involucre nearly circular, its
margins waved, eglandulose : clusters of capsules circular,
crowded, sometimes confluent, confined to the upper part of
the frond.
Polypodium cristatum, Linn. Sp. PI. 1551, ad partem.
Polypodium Filix-femina, y. spinosa, Weiss, Crypt. 316.
Polystichum spinosum, Rotli, Fl. Germ. iii. 91.
Lastrea spinosa, Neioni. N. A. 21, F. 209.
Lastrea spinulosa, Bab. 410,
Lophodium spinosum, Newm. Phytol. iv. 371, Api^. xviii.
The nomenclature of this species is involved in much obscu-
rity. I hesitate to pronounce a positive opinion on the subject,
but, as already stated, I entertain no doubt that Linneus in-
cluded it under his Polypodium cristatum, which he describes
as growing " sylvis ssepe uliginosis," (Flor. Suec. p. 308, ed. 1).
There is some difficulty in fixing an exact meaning to these
words ; but if we translate them literally, " frequently in marshy
woods," we shall have a very correct definition of the usual lo-
cality of L. spinosum. It is sometimes thought that that fern
is the Poljrpodium spinulosum of Miiller, (' Flora Danica,' 707);
but it seems to me that that botanist had neither the merit of
separating this species from L. Callipteris, nor any intention of
giving a new name, but again combined both in one species,
and merely adopted and mis2}rintcd Weiss' prior name of spi-
nosa. As for the figure in 'Flora Danica' (tab. 707) cited by
Withering, it represents but the apical portion of a frond, the
decm'rent and united pinnules of which resemble L. Callipteris,
while the creeping caudex also more nearly resembles that than
LOPHODIUM SPINOSUM. 159
the present species ; I cannot therefore consent to separate the
spinulosa of Miiller from the cristata of Linneus. Like Lia-
neus, he prohably included both the plants ; but neither in his
figure nor description do I find any reason for supposing that he
restricted the name " spinulosa " to the present species. Wither-
ing adopts Miiller's name, and restricts it to the present species ;
so also do Mr. Babington and Mr. "Watson : but both these
eminent authors appear to me to have fallen into a palpable
error of nomenclature, for both name it L. spinulosa of Pj-esl,
whereas Presl distinctly states that his spiaulosa is the Asp. spi-
nulosum of Swartz, which is the glandulose plant, and certainly
the dilatata of both Babington and Watson. All other British
authors ignore the species entirely. Sir J. E. Smith and Mr.
Francis omit it altogether, giving the name, indeed, but not de-
scribing the plant : and Hooker and Arnott certainly exclude it
from the sixth edition of the ' British Flora.' These learned
authors make four varieties of their Aspidium spinulosum,
and explain to their readers that a. = L. uliginosum, Neivm. ;
fi. = "dilatatum, Willd." ; y. = " Foenisecii, JBa6. ; " and S'. is
thus described : — " Pinnules and segments very unequal in
size and in their spinulose serratures. A monstrosity ? " Mr.
Moore, in the second edition of his ' Handbook,' also ignores
it as a species, but retains the name as one of his varieties of
cristata, the L. Callipteris of this work.
The confusion among continental authors is quite as great
as in this country, and Both is the only one, as far as my in-
formation extends, who has properly distinguished the present
species : and although I cannot but regret that his name of spi-
nosa should so nearly resemble the one that I reject, yet I trust
the difference will be sufiicient to fix it in the memory, and I
am inclined to believe Eoth's is the original name, although,
perhaps, first applied to the present plant when it was supposed
to be a mere variety of Athyrium Filix-femina. Mr. Lloyd tells
me that this fern is the Polypodium spinosum of Linneus.
This fern certainly occurs in Germany, Sweden, and Hun-
gary ; but beyond these countries I am unable to trace its
160 witheeing's fern.
geographical range. I am indebted to Mr. Boott for two allied
but apparently distinct species from the United States.
It appears to be ubiquitous in the moist woods of the South
of England, as far as I have had an opportunity of visiting
them. In Wales, it does not occur so commonly ; and I have
not yet seen a frond gathered in Scotland, and but one in Ire-
land: for this latter I am indebted to the kindness of Mr.
Lovett Darby, who gathered it at Dartrey, the seat of Lord
Cremorne, in the county Monaghan. I have no reason what-
ever for distrusting several informants of Scotch and Irish
stations, beyond the fact that this species is little known and
seldom recognized as distinct from L. multiflorum ; neither
can I urge any reason for its non-occurrence in Scotland and
Ireland.
gwcrijjtiott.
The radicles are nearly black, numerous, and often mat-
ted together : the caudex is stout, and gradually increases in
length, and becomes branched ; I have occasionally seen in
woods patches that occupied many square yards, and on dig-
ging amongst the fronds with a trowel, have found the tufts so
much connected with each other, as to justify the supposition
that each patch originally owed its existence to a single caudex.
The fronds rise from the ground in April and May, without any
symmetrical arrangement, and often exhibit the singular verna-
tion already described under L. multiflorum : the margins of the
unexpanded pinnae are somewhat convolute. The stipes is about
equal in length to the frond, and nearly erect ; it is clothed with
blunt or rounded, semitransparent, uniformly coloured scales,
each of which generally terminates in a feeble flexile awn. The
frond is slightly drooping, and quite eglandulose ; it is long,
narrow, pinnate and linear, the pairs of pinnae, from the first
to the eighth inclusive, being generally of uniform length; they
are rather distant, and usiially ascend at an acute angle from
the main rachis. The pinnae are pinnate, and the pinnules
detached and often distant ; although connected by a slender
wing, they have a deep notch on each side at the base. On
the first pair of pinnre the first and second inferior pinnules are
LOPHODIUM SPINOSUM. 161
of nearly equal length, and are nearly twice as long as the cor-
responding superior ones : this discrepancy between superior
and inferior pinnules gradually diminishes, and it altogether
ceases with the sixth pair, which are of equal length : a sonae-
what similar discrepancy is observable in the pinnules of the
second pair of pinnse, but beyond these it becomes scarcely
observable : some of the lower pianules are deeply pitmatifid,
almost pinnate : the lobes of the pinnules are toothed, and the
teeth terminate in short but sharp and distinct spines ; each
serrature, with its accompanying spine, has a decided curvature
towards the apex of the pinnule.
The veins of the pinnules are alternately branched, each
system of branches entering a division of the pinnule, and the
anterior branch bearing a circular cluster of capsules just
within the sinus which occurs between each two divisions : this
cluster is covered by a flat, reniform involucre, the margins of
which are sinuate, entire, and without glands, a character which,
as far as my observation has extended, is constant, and is of
great importance in distmguishing the present plant from the
spinulosa of Swartz, "Willdenow, Schkuhr, Presl, and Fran-
cis, all of which I imagine to be L. multiflorum of this work.
Owing to the constant position of the clusters on each pinnule,
they form a regular double line, the midvein of the pinnule
passing up the centre : but when the pinnule is completely
divided into lobes, each branch of the vein usually bears a clus-
ter of capsules : this is more frequently the case in those pin-
nules which are nearest the main rachis of the frond ; and it
may be observed that the clusters on all, except the usual cap-
sule-bearing branch, are of smaller size. The seed, as pointed
out by Linneus and Withering, is confined to the upper portion
of the frond. The clusters are usually distinct and perfectly
separate. Each branch of the vein enters one of the serratures
of the pinnule, but terminates before reaching the spine, with
which it is quite unconnected.
Like the last, this fern should be planted in peat, which may
be mixed with any light soil of the garden, and it is important
T
162
WITHERING S FERN.
to the well-being of the plant, that it should be well supplied
with water. In potting, great care should be taken that the
pot be sufficiently large, and the compost sufficiently peaty. I
believe it difficult to keep it too wet, nor is it important that
the drainage be good. I cannot recommend this as an orna-
mental fern : it is easily broken by the wind, or other casual-
ties, and very early in the summer assumes a shabby and
battered appearance ; still, the pteridologist should keep it
with as much care as the most beautiful, as he wiU assm-edly
hear its claims to specific dignity earnestly if not warmly
discussed.
LOPHODIUM ULIGINOSUM. 163
f LLOYD'S FERN.
Genus. — Lophodium. (See page 186).
Species. — Uliginosum. Caudex tufted : vernation simply
circinate : fronds erect, rigid, linear-lanceolate, of two kinds :
fertile fronds pinnate : the pinnte also pinnate : pinnules acute,
with a deep sinus at their base : barren shorter and broader,
pinnate : pinnse scarcely pinnate : the pinnules very broad, ob-
tuse, adnate or de current.
Polypodium cristatum, Linn. jSp. PL 1551, ad partem.
Polystichum spinulosum, var. uliginosum (A. Braun), Doll,
Rhein. Flor. 17, 18. (Vide Phytol. iii. 101).
Lastrea uliginosa, Newm. Phytol. iii. 679.
Lastrea cristata, ^. uliginosa, Moore, Phytol. iv. 149, Handb.
115.
Lastrea cristata, P. Bab. 410.
Aspidium spinulosum, a. Hook, and Am. 571. " The plant
under the name of L. uliginosa in the Eoyal Gardens,
corresponds with our A. spinulosum, a." — Hook, and
Am. I. c.
Lophodium uliginosum, Netvm. Phytol. iv. 371, Aj)p. xix.
The first notice of this fern which I have seen is in Doll's
' Rhenish Flora,' pp. 17 and 18, but I believe it to be copied
from a prior work or a MS. of Professor A. Braun. Both these
authors are citfed by Philip Wirtgen, in his ' Cryptogamic Vas-
culares of Rhenish Prussia,' published at Bonn in 1847, a de-
tailed notice of which work is given in the ' Phytologist ' (iii.
98), whence I extract the following : — " Polystichum spinulo-
sum, b, uliginosum, A. Br. Stipes rather short, with few, scat-
tered, broadly ovate, short-pomted, brown-3reUow scales ; frond
lOi
LLOYD s rEE>;.
doubly pinnate, pinnatifid ; pinnte approximate, the inferior
ones a little shorter than the following ; teeth of the leaflets
rather short, sharp-pointed, appressed. — Growing in the bog at
Freiburg, in company with A. cristatum," [Lophodium Calli-
pteris of this work.]
The next notice of this fern, and the first of its occurrence
in England, is from my own j)en ; and, by a strange omission,
subsequently amended by myself, no allusion whatever is made
to the earlier description I have just cited. I proceed to quote
from the ' Phytologist.'
" In describing Lastrea spinosa, I have said ' This fern is
closely allied to the preceding [Callipteris], and so much do
they resemble each other, that I have found it next to impos-
sible to fix on satisfactory diagnostics whereby to distinguish
them.' In fact, in the S]3lendid series of L. Callipteris received
by the Botanical Society from Bawsey Heath, there were spe-
cimens which I found myself unable to refer with confidence to
either species. About the same time I received from the Eev.
Geo. Pinder, specimens of a very singular fern from Wybun-
bury bog, in Cheshke ; these I referred, without much hesita-
tion, to L. spinosum : the Cheshire and Norfolk specimens
were so exceedingly dissimilar in general appearance, that it
never occurred to me to compare them together with a view of
ascertaining whether they possessed any characters in common.
" Early in August last, Mr. Lloyd, a gardener who has paid
great attention to the British ferns, brought me a plant, well
established in a pot, of a fern which he considered new to Bri-
tain : he had previously shown it to several eminent botanists,
and especially those who have paid attention to ferns : others
have seen it since it has been in my possession, and although
I refrain from giving the names of six gentlemen who have
expressed opinions, however confidently, yet not intended for
publication, I may perhaps be allowed to record the opinions
without the names. I should premise that the plant is in per-
fect vigour, in full fructification, and without any symptom of
disease or malformation : these six gentlemen have pronounced
it —
" 1. A form of Filix-mas.
" -2. Lastrea rigida.
" 0. Lastrea cristata.
LOPHODIUM ULIGINOSUM. 165
"4. Lastrea spinosa, a strong variety.
" 5. Lastrea dilatata, a rigid variety.
" 6. No way different from Lastrea spinosa, Newm., I mean,
it would hardly pass for a var.
" It is singular that out of six high authorities no two enter-
tain the same opinion. The plant which has elicited such
conflicting opinions, has fronds resembling those received both
from Bawsey and Wybunbury, and therefore establishes the spe-
cific identity of those very dissimilar forms." — Phytol. iii. 678.
The publication of this statement and description was imme-
diately followed by an advertisement of living plants being kept
for sale at the Bedford Conservatory, in Covent Garden, so
that every botanist who inclined might possess himself of mate-
rials on which to found a judgment on the merits of the species.
Numbers did so, and the result was the free and candid expres-
sion of opinions in the pages of the ' Phytologist.' These
opinions were, in almost every instance, very careful, very de-
liberate, and very decided ; either of them, insulated from the
others, exhibited such claims to adoption, that it must have
been accepted as final : but the aggregate of opinions led to no
such conclusion ; an eqiial number of botanists were in favour of
and against the adoption of uliginosum as a species, and to this
hour I have been unable to satisfy myself whether the argu-
ments pro or con were the more cogent. The reader is there-
fore referred to the ' Phytologist ' for the arguments themselves,
(see PhytoL iii. 678, 1087; iv. 22, 55, 72, 96, 105, 149, 476).
Our pubUshing botanists have also expressed their opinions re-
specting it : Babington makes it his Lastrea cristata, ^. ; and
Hooker and Arnott, who have given it marked attention, pro-
nounce it to be their Aspidium spinulosum, a. Mr. Babington
modestly observes that he is " very impei-fectly acquainted with
the plant." Before the separation of uliginosum as a species,
I expressed a strong opinion that spinosum and Callipteris
were extreme forms of one species : Mr. Hort, a very acute
botanist, has suggested their union. The following extract
from a letter to Mr. Watson is pubhshed in the ' Cj'bele Bri-
tannica ' : — " ' I cannot believe L. cristata to be more than a
state of L. spinosa. The general character and texture of both
agree together, and are quite unlike those of L. multiflora.
Those who have seen it growing speak of the plane of each
166
LLOYD S FERN.
pinna being nearly vertical to that of the general frond, which
is not the case in L. spinosa. But I have seen precisely the
same condition in L. mviltiflora (concurrent with other modifi-
cations) in boggy soil, under particular circumstances.' " — Cyb.
Brit. iii. 266. And the learned author of the ' Cybele,' when
treating of L. uliginosum, adds : — " Perhaps the suggestion of
Mr. Hort, before quoted under L. cristata, may be the true
solution of the difficulty, by re-combining the three into one
species." — Id. 369.
We have seen by the quotation from Doll, that this fern
occurs in Rhenish Prussia : I possess no other record of its
occurrence on the continent.
In Britain it occurs only in exposed marshy situations, or on
moist heaths. Wybunbury bogs, Cheshire ; Oxton bogs, Not-
tinghamshire ; Bawsey Heath, Norfolk ; Epping Forest, Essex.
I have received fronds from all these stations, through the kiud-
ness of the Rev. Mr. Pinder, Mr. Lloyd, and Mr. Doubleday.
(Of Mr. Lloyd's original plant). Caudex tufted. The fertile
fronds are arranged shuttlecock-fashion, spreading from a com-
mon centre ; in form they are linear, elongate-acuminate at
the apex, 80 inches long, 5 inches wide ; pinnate : vernation
simple, not twisted : the stipes is 9 inches in length, and, to-
gether with the rachis, is deeply grooved in front, flattened at
the sides, rounded behind, glabrous, bright green above, purple
at the base, slightly tinged with purple at the back : the scales
are somewhat sparingly distributed, obtusely ovate, with a
lengthened acute apex, which is generally twisted, and which
terminates in a setaceous point; pale brown, transparent, conco-
lorous : these larger scales are intermixed with others very slen-
der and hair-like : all the scales readily fall off, and leave small
black scars on the stipes. Pinnae elongate- deltoid, with acu-
minate deflexed apices and a winged midrib ; the first, second.
LOPHODIXJM ULIGINOSXJM. 167
and perhaps third pairs rather shorter and rather broader
at the base than the fourth, fifth and sixth pairs, and hence
rather more deltoid ; they are set on the rachis rather obliquely,
so that their upper surface approaches a horizontal position,
although the frond is nearly erect. The pinnules are of mode-
rate size, sessile, adnate, deeply notched, the divisions serrated,
serratures aristate : first inferior pinnule longer than the first
superior. Clusters of capsules on all the pinnse, but less abun-
dant on the lower ones, relatively small, remaining distinct and
separate, except at the apex of the frond ; at first green, then
white, subsequently black, and finally bright brown : the green
colour is due to the frond being seen through the young and
perfectly transparent involucre ; the white colour is due to the
involucre, which becomes opaque and white ; the black colour
to the ripe and full capsules ; and the brown, to the empty
capsules and elastic rings. The involucre is regularly reni-
form, its margin very entire, its disk and margin eglandulose.
The earher fronds of the season, together with some of the
later ones rising from the lateral crowns, are perfectly without
fructification : they are shorter and broader, and the pinnse are
longer, broader, and more crowded than in the normal fertile
fronds. The marked difference and permanent distinctness
between the fertUe and barren fronds is a character common to
Hemestheum Thelypteris, Lophodium CaUipteris, and Alloso-
rus crispus, but does not obtaia in the generality of species,
all the fronds having, in a very great majority of instances, a
tendency to produce fructification, although adventitious cir-
cumstances of situation, temperature, soil, &c., may cause an
increase or diminution of the quantity of seed produced.
In its vernation and adnate pinnules, this fern resembles
Lophodium CaUipteris; it resembles L. spinosum in the figure,
notching, and aristation of the pinnules ; and it also resembles
both those ferns in its erect rigid habit, and ovate, diaphanous,
concolorous scales, as well as in its entire eglandulose involu-
cre. On the other hand, it differs fi-om Lophodium CaUipteris
in the more acuminate, more divided, more serrated, more aris-
tate pinnules, also in the more direct course of the veins, a dif-
ference much more easily observed than described ; it differs
also from L. spinosum in the adnate, decurrent pinnules, in the
tufted caudex, and the consequent regular habit of growth, and
168 Lloyd's fern.
in the simple vernation : and from both it differs ia the more
equal distribution of the clusters of capsules over all parts of
the frond.
The probability of its beiug a form of L. Callipteris is said
to be strengthened by its occurring in company with that
species : but this argument is not valid, for Hemestheum
Thelypteris is also a companion of that fern in all its stations ;
Phegopteris is invariably the companion of Dryopteris ; and I
believe that Trichomanes speciosum is constantly accompanied
by one or both species of Hymenophyllum. This association
of species proves nothing more than that a similarity of consti-
tution requires a parity of external conditions : and species of
similar constitution will seek appropriate conditions wherever
Nature supplies them.
Some of the fronds are narrower and less rigid than the nor-
mal form. Pinnse very distant, very narrow, acuminate, with
a winged midrib : pmnules very small, very distant, sessile,
adnate, deepty notched, rather obtuse at the apex.
Fronds of this character have a very peculiar and starved
appearance, but exhibit the adnate attachment of the pinnules
very conspicuously : they spring from a caudex bearing fronds
of the normal form ; and therefore, by a rule I have previously
imposed on myself, cannot be regarded as constituting a true
variety.
This fern grows freely in cultivation, retaining all the cha-
racters which distinguish it as a wild plant : in the spring it is
twenty days later than L. multiflorum in expanding, ten days
later than L. spinosum, and from ten to fifteen days earlier
than L. Callipteris. When potted it requires nothing but peat,
and should be kept constantly standing in water.
LOPHODIUM CALLIPTERIS.
169
EHEHART'S FEEN, [a, one-eighth the natural size).
170 ehrhart's ferx.
Genus. — Lophodium. (See page 13G).
Species. — Callipteeis. Caudex very stout, slowly creeping,
extending two or three feet : stipes nearly as long as the frond,
sparingly clothed with short, broad, pale, semihyaline scales :
frond very erect, narrow, linear, eglandulose, pinnate : pinnae
rather distant, short, somewhat triangular, pinnatifid, from five
to eight pairs nearly of the same length, but the fifth, sixth,
seventh and eighth pairs somewhat the longest, and the others
gradually approaching them in length, the distance between
each pair gradually decreasing from the base towards the apex:
pinnules decurrent, broad, serrated, blunt or rounded at the
apex, the lower ones slightly larger and longer than the upper :
involucre flat, scale-like, indistinctly reniform, its margin irre-
gular, free, except at the sinus, where it is attached to the cap-
suliferous vein : clusters of capsules crowded, often confluent,
confined to the upper part of the frond.
Polypodium cristatum, Linn. Sp. PL 1551, ad partem.
Polypodium Callipteris, Ehrh. Beitr. iii. 77, Crypt. 53 ;
Hoffm. Deutschl. Fl. ii. 6.
Polystichum cristatum. Roth, Flor. Germ. iii. 84.
Polystichum CalUpteris, DC. Fl. Frniif. ii. 277.
Aspidium cristatum, S7n. E. F. iv. 289, E. B. 2125 ; Hook,
and Am. 569.
Lastrea Callipteris, Neivm. F. 12.
Lastrea cristata, Neivm. N. A. 21, F. 203.
Lastrea cristata, «., Moore, Phytol. iv. 149, Handb. 115 ;
Bab. 410.
Lophodium Callipteris, Newm. Phytol. iv. 371, App. xix.
This species is well figured in the ' Flora Londinensis,' (tab.
113). In 'English Botany' the name occurs twice: plate 1949
represents Lastrea Filix-mas, and plate 2125 appears to be
intended for the present species, but is not characteristic. In
describing L. Filix-mas, Sir J. E. Smith remarks : — " This
LOPHODIDM CALLIPTEEIS. 171
species was certainly never mistaken for A. cristatum by the
writer of ' English Botany,' p. 1949, but Mi\ Sowerby was de-
ceived by a wrong specimen sent him from the Isle of Wight,
which he supposed of course to be correct, and from which he
drew the figure. The blunder was set right in v. 30, p. 2125,
of the same work." — Eng. Flor. iv. 276. To this it may be
added that the "blunder," or rather the propensity to make the
present species out of Filix-mas, was very prevalent, if not uni-
versal, at the date in question.
The name of "cristatum" was evidently intended by Linneus
to comprise the present and several other plants here treated
as species. Hudson, Berkenhout, Withering, and Bolton adopt
from Linneus the name of Polypodium cristatum, but appa-
rently without any knowledge of the present specifes. Ehrhart
was the first to describe our plant as a distinct and separate
species, under the elegant name of Callipteris, which name
has been adopted by Lamarck and DeCandoUe, perhaps the
best nomenclaturists of the continent, as well as by Hofi^mann,
in his ' Deutschlands Flora.'
So great confusion exists in the application of the terms
" cristatum " and " crested fern," that I think it better to drop
both of them. See an admirable observation at page 149 of
this work, quoted from Mr. Babington, and applied by that
eminent botanist to a precisely analogous case.
This fern is of common occurrence upon the continent of
Europe, and throughout the United States of North America.
I have received American specimens from Mr. Oakes, Mr. Lea,
and Mr. Boott, the latter accompanied by living plants, which
continued growing for two years at Leominster, side by side
with others from Lynn ; and although Mr. Lea, of Cincinnati,
informs me that Dr. Torrey considers the American plant dis-
tinct, I must confess that the two appear to me to be identical.
This is one of our most local ferns, occurring only on boggy
heaths, and confined, as far as Great Britain is concerned, to
four English counties. I have received, through the kindness
of my friends, fronds with this name from two Scotch, four Irish,
J./^ EHRHAET S FEEN.
one Welch, and two English counties, besides those mentioned
below ; in every instance there was a mistake in the name.
Cheshibe. — The Rev. Mr. Pinder had the good fortune to discover
this fern in Wybunbury bog, in this county, and has supphed me hberaUy
with specimens.
Nottinghamshire. — In this county it was first discovered by Dr.
Howitt at Oxton bogs, and has since been found at the same locaUty by the
late Mr. Riley, the late Mr. Quekett, Mr. Sidebotham, and several other
botanists : Mr. Sidebotham has also observed it at Bulwell marshes. I am
indebted to Mr. RUey and Mr. Kippist for specimens from this county.
NoHFOLK. — The Rev. R. B. Francis, was, I beheve, the discoverer of
this fern in Norfolk, in the year 1805; it was growing among furze-bushes
by the side of a drain : it has since been found in abundance at Edgefield
by Mr. Wighatn, and on Bawsey Heath, near Lynn, by Mr. Ewing, the
Rev. Mr. Mumford, and Mr. Burlingham : it grows intermixed with the
common ling, and is shaded by a few young alder trees. Mr. Burhngham,
of Lynn, discovered a fourth Norfolk station in 1841 ; it is near the vil-
lage of Dersingham, between seven and eight miles from Lynn, on the
road to Hunstanton : in this station there are fewer roots, and it does not
grow so luxm-iantly as at Bawsey, probably owing to there being less mois-
ture and no shade, as here it grows among hng, unaccompanied by alders.
I have to record my obHgatiou to the Botanical Society of London, and to
Mr. S. P. Woodward, for a fine series of specimens, and to Mr. Bridgman
for a supply of hving plants.
(Suffolk. — Sir J. E. Smith records that it was gathered by Mr. Davy
on bogs, amongst alder bushes, at Westleton, in this county ; (Eng. Flor.
iv. 300). I do not possess specimens ; and Mr. George Wolsey, who has
thoroughly searched the neighbourhood, cannot find it. This is one of the
counties from which I have repeatedly received specimens incorrectly named ;
though I don't Itnow that there is any improbability of its occurrence).
The radicles of Lophodium Callipteris are dark brown, nu-
merous, and often matted together : the caudex is very stout,
and gradually increases in length, as the jalant increases in
age, occasionally emitting a lateral branch, which in due time
also becomes branched, so that an old plant is sometimes
possessed of a very extensive and complicated caudex, which
throws up fronds from all its extremities. The base of the
LOPHODIUM CALLIPTEEIS.
173
n
\)
stipes of each frond, instead of decaying with the frond, retains
its sap and vigour for many years, and in time assumes so
nearly the appearance of the caudex itself, that it is difficult to
distinguish hetween the two. The figure in the margin below,
although certainly not very ornamen-
tal, gives a correct idea of a longitu-
dinal section of a portion of caudex. It
is drawn of the natural size, and con-
stitutes but a small portion of the plant
from which it was taken : the median
white space represents the caudex it-
self, and the shorter ascending white
spaces on either side represent the still
vigorous bases of old stipes, with the
exception of a small branch of caudex
near the bottom of the figure, on the
right hand side. In the specimen se-
lected for illustration, the interstices
between the bases of the stipes, repre-
sented by the darker portion of the
figure, were filled with matted roots | ^ ^''B)
and turfy soil ; on removing this, I
found every part of the surface of the
caudex, as well as the bases of the
stipes, covered with rudely semilunar
markings, which seemed to indicate
the former points of attachment for
those chaffy scales with which the
crown of the caudex, as well as the
stipes, of almost every species of Lo-
phodium appear to abound.
The fronds are but few in each tuft,
and rise from the crown of each grow-
ing branch of the caudex ; they appear
in May, and remain green until near
the end of the year. The form of the
young unexpanded frond somewhat re-
sembles that of Lastrea montana ; the
general character is circinate, but the pinnee are perfectly flat,
the lower pair being incumbent on the second, the second on
V
174 eiirhabt's fern.
the third, and so on. Young expanded fronds, of the natural
size, are shown at b, page 169 ; in every instance they were
sketched from living and growing examples, a vigorous plant
having been most obligingly sent me by Mr. R. Jacob. The
stipes is of nearly equal length with the frond, very erect, and
clothed with scattered, broad, obtuse, short, semitransparent,
pale brown, uniformly coloured scales. The frond itself is
erect, narrow, linear, and pinnate : the pinnee, which are at-
tached by the stalk only, are generally rather distant, short,
broad at the base, nearly triangular and pinnate, or deeply pin-
natifid : the pinnules are very blunt at the apex, and serrated
both at the apex and along the sides ; they are decurrent or
united together at the base, and almost invariably attached to
the midrib of the pinnae by their greatest diameter. When the
frond is very luxuriant and fruitful, the pinnse become much
more elongate, and the pinnules more remote.
The lateral veins of the pinnules are many-branched, and
the anterior branch bears a circular cluster of capsules about
half-way between the midvein and the margin : the clusters are
covered by a flat, reniform involucre, the margins of which are
sinuate, but not jagged or torn ; and I have not been able to
detect, either on its margin or disk, the slightest appearance of
glands. In luxuriant sj)ecimens the clusters are much crowded,
and finally become confluent ; they are alwaj's confined to the
upper part of the frond.
Cttltttrc.
I find that this fern, whether exposed or in a greenhouse, re-
quires a soil composed almost entirely of turfy peat, abundance
of water, and only just so much charcoal at the bottom of the
pot as will keep the water, in which it should constantly stand,
from putrefying. It is by no means an ornamental fern : erect,
fragile, constantly broken by the wind, and very liable to pre-
mature decay at the apex, it is only desirable as affording the
means of botanical comparison with cognate species. It likes
full exposure to the sun.
LOPHODIUM EIGIDUM.
175
EIGID FEEN, {one-fourth the natural size).
176 RIGID FERN.
Genus. — Lophodium. (See page 136).
Species. — Rigidum. Caudex tufted : stipes much shorter
than the frond, densely clothed with broad reddish brown
scales : frond semierect, glandulose, sweet-scented, lanceolate,
pinnate : pinnae very numerous : pinnules oblong, obtuse, ser-
rated, scarcely mucronate : involucre flat, its free margin
fringed with stalked glands : clusters of capsules very crowded,
covering the pinnules, confined to the upper part of the frond.
Polypodium fragrans, Linn. Sp. PI. 1089, (1st edition); Huds.
Fl. Ang. 388, (1st edition) ; With. Arr. 650 ; Vill. Hist.
PI. Dauph. iii. 843.
Polypodium rigidum, Hoffm. Deutschl. Fl. ii. 16.
Polystichum strigosum. Both, Fl. Germ. iii. 86.
Aspidium rigidum, Schkuhr, p. 40, tab. 38 ; Hook. E. B. S.
2734 ; Franc. 40; Hook, and Am. 569.
Lastrea rigida, Newm. N. A. 19, F. IQl; Bab. 411 ; Moore,
111, (excl. the figure).
Lophodium rigidum, Newm. Phytol. App. xxi.
There are but few figures of this fern : that in Schkuhr is
admirable; those in ' English Botany ' and Francis's 'Analy-
sis ' are not to be spoken of in terms of praise.
With regard to the name of this fern I have long suspected
we are in error. I am quite inclined to believe it identical with
that originally described as Polypodium fragrans by Linneus.
The first description by Linneus answers well for the present
plant : — " Fronds sub-bipinnate lanceolate, pinnules crowded,
their lobes obtuse, serrated, stalk scaly," (Sp. Plant. 1089, ed.
1) ; and he adds, as if to enforce the character of the serrated
lobes : — "It has the habit of Filix-mas, but is much less, the
pinnules are more thickly crowded, their lateral lobes obtuse
and more deeply serrated," (Id. 1. c.) Linneus also quotes
Amman's " Dryopteris rubum ideeum spirans," which is an ex-
cellent description of this species : and the Linnean authentic
LOPHODIUM RIGIDUM. 177
specimen, although very small and in a wretched state, has no
character that contravenes such a conclusion, while the remark-
able involucres (some of which are still in good ]3reservation,
and closely agree with that figured at a on page 175), and the
toothed but scarcely mucronate divisions of the pinnules, are
rather in favour of its being a dwarf individual of that species.
Hudson, in his first edition, quotes the description by Linneus
in the ' Species Plantarum,' and gives as its only habitat " the
moist fissures of rocks near Keswick, in the county of West-
moreland," (Fl. Aug. 388). Thus far aU the evidence appears
in favour of the supposition that the Lophodium rigidum of
the present work is the Polypodium fragrans of both authors :
and it may be remarked, in allusion to the small size which is
insisted on by Linneus and by Amman, and is observable also
in the Linnean specimen, that the average height of this fern
on the continent is nine or twelve inches, and that Sadler gives
its height in Hungary as "six inches to a foot." We must now
place the subject in another light. In his 'Mantissa,' a work
of the highest authority, we find Linneus giving a second de-
scription of Polypodium fragrans, from a French specimen, and
totally different from that in his ' Species Plantarum.' It is as
follows : — " Fronds bipinnate, pinnae ovate sublobate obtuse,
beneath naked, the margin reflexed, and the fructification mar-
ginal," (Mant. ii. 307). In this description, it appears to me
that the obtuse pinnae (evidently pinnules) naked beneath, with
reflexed margins and marginal fructification, are the characters
of Lastrea montana : few botanists have gathered that plant
without observing that the margins of the pinnules, if not ori-
ginally reflexed, almost immediately become so. Hudson, in
his second edition, gives this second description as his character
of the plant, (Fl. Ang. ii. 457, ed. 2) ; so that we are left in the
pleasing belief that in the first instance both authors described
L. rigidum, in the second, L. montana. Abler botanists must
hereafter decide what course is to be adopted in the nomen-
clature ; for the present, I adhere to that I have previous^
employed. It may also be mentioned, that the present plant
appears to me to be the Polypodium fragrans of Villars's ' His-
toire des Plantes de Dauphin6,' (iii. 843).
2 A
17R RIGID FERN.
This species is an inhabitant of Hungary, Germany, France,
Italy, Russia and Siberia ; but I am not aware of its having
been found in Africa or America.
It seems confined to limestone rocks in mountainous dis-
tricts, and has hitherto, so far as regards Great Britain, only
been found in three (? four) English and one Irish county.
Westmoeeland. — Mr. Simpson informs me he found it " in great pro-
fusion growing out of broken limestone, on the declivity of a hill just by the
border of Lancashire : " he observes, " I never saw any fern in such masses,
several hundred fronds beiag together in a compact bundle, so much so, in-
deed, that when I had pulled two himdred, no diminution of the quantity
was observable." Miss Beever, in a letter of subsequent date, says that it
grows " most profusely on and near Amside Knot." Mr. Finder, at a still
later period, writes thus : — "I met with Lastrea rigida in great profusion
along the whole of the great scar limestone district, at intervals between
Amside Knot, where it is comparatively scarce, and Ingleborough, being
most abundant on Hutton Roof crags and Farlton Knot, where it grows in
the deep fissures of the natural platform, and occasionally high in the cleft
of the rocks : it is generally much shattered by the winds, or cropped by the
sheep, which seem to be fond of it. With regard to the shape of the frond,
I may mention that among some hundreds of specimens I found but one
or two which agreed with your figure [see the right hand, then the only
figure, on page 175] drawn from an Ingleborough specimen, all mine be-
ing more or less triangular [see the left hand figm-e], and not having the
lower pair of pinnse shorter than those in the upper and middle part of the
frond : the fronds of young plants are remarkably triangular. The two
forms of frond no doubt depend upon the situation, whether sheltered or
otherwise, and on other causes ; still I imagine the triangular to be the true
form of the plant, having been informed by a person resident in the neigh-
bourhood, that the plant from Ingleborough assumes the triangular form
in cultivation. I do not know whether it has been recorded that this fern
possesses a slight scent, not at all unpleasant, but strikingly different from
that of other ferns."
YoEKSHiHE. — The Eev. Mr. Bree first recorded this fern as British : he
found it growing on Ingleborough, on the north-west side, near the foot of
the mountain ; and it has been found in the same locality by the Rev. Mr.
Finder. Mr. Tatham informs me that " it grows abundantly in the fis-
sures of limestone rocks, at an elevation of 1560 feet above the level of the
LOPHODIUM EIGIDUM. 179
sea, and 1050 feet above the town of Settle : and also on rooks called White
Scars, above Ingleton, on the left or north side of the valley."
Lancashike. — It was found by the Kev. J. Smythes, near the top lock
of the Lancaster and Kendal canal. (See Phytol. i. 478).
(SoMEESETSHiHE. — " I beg to inclose a frond of what I beUeve to be the
true Lastrea rigida. I found a single plant, bearing only four fronds, in
a somewhat bleak and exposed situation within a few nules of Bath. I
searched diligently for other plants, but without success." — Mr. J. E. Vize,
in Phytol. iv. 1101. " Observing in the last number of the ' Phytologist '
that a solitary plant of Lastrea rigida had been found near Bath by Mr. J.
E. Vize, may I suggest the possibihty, if not the probability, that it had
been planted there by Potter, a well-known fern-collector, now dead, en
route to Cheddar for Polypodium calcareum ; having heard from his own
mouth that he did so vpith other plants, in order to save their extermina-
tion."— Mr. Q. B. WoUaston, in Phytol. iv. 1134).
In Ieeland it has been found in one locality only, and that on a wall.
I am indebted to Mr. Lovett Darby for a specimen, accompanied by the
following note: — " I gathered this fern early in the present month (Septem-
ber), in the county Louth, at Townley HaU, the residence of Mr. Balfour.
It was grovring on a wall, buOt of clay-slate, and much over-hung with
trees ; T saw about thirty plants of it." — Mr. 0. L. Darby, Phytol. iv. 726.
I have to acknowledge my obligation to all the botanists
mentioned above, for specimens from the various localities,
with the exception of that in Lancashire.
The radicles are long, and the caudex large and tufted : the
stipes is unusually thick at the base, and very densely clothed
with large, pale red, concolorous scales, which are present, al-
though less abundant, throughout its entire length ; the pro-
portion of the stipes to the frond varies between a fourth and
a half : the frond is nearly erect, lanceolate, and pinnate : the
pinnules are more or less crowded ; those towards the base are
more distant than those in the middle and upper part of the
frond ; they are also sometimes shorter and somewhat triangu-
lar, but this character appears rather the exception than the rule,
for in the specimens so kindly and liberally supplied me, I find
by far the greater number have the first pair of pinnae fully as
long as either of the others : all the pinnae are pinnate : the
180
RIGID FERN.
pinnules are sessile, but attached by a very narrow base, and
so deeply divided into lobes as to appear almost pinnatifid ; the
lobes are toothed, the teeth broad and scarcely mucronate : this
character I consider of importance, as affording an excellent
diagnostic whereby the present species may be readily distin-
guished from its congeners. The lateral
veins are alternate, and each is forked al-
most immediately after leaving the midvein :
the posterior branch is again divided, and
each ramifies into a serrature of the lobe ;
the anterior branch bears a circular cluster
of capsules about midway between the mid-
vein and the margin ; these masses, which
are ten or twelve in each pinnule, are always
approximate, and finally completely conflu-
ent ; each of the masses is covered by a
reniforni lead-coloured involucre, which is
attached to the vein by a short stalk placed
in the lateral sinus. The upper figure in
the margin shows the veins and the points of attachment of the
capsules ; the marginal figure below shows the clusters of cap-
sules with their involucres in the natural situa-
tion. The involucre is furnished with a fringe
of stalked glands, as represented at a, in page
175. Over the surface of the frond are scattered
numerous minute, spherical, and nearly sessile
glands ; from these, in all probability, is emitted
the scent which has caused so many authors to
call this plant by the name of "fragrans." Mr.
Pinder called my attention to these glands ; he
informs me they are more conspicuous in the living than in
the dried plant, and impart to it a glaucous hue.
fumtm.
The frond varies in form from ovate-lanceolate to oblong-
deltoid, and, in some fronds, almost to exactly deltoid ; but in
this species, as in others of the genus, the deltoid form is ac-
companied by a smaller caudex, indicative of youth, and the
LOPHODIUM EIGrcUM. 181
elongate-lanceolate form by the larger and more massive eau-
dex, whicli indicates age : all the ferns of tliis genus appear
long-lived ; and attributing, as I do, variation in the circum-
scription of their fronds to external conditions, as of shade,
age, luxuriance, &c., I will not presume to define, much less to
name, the various gradations of form. Whenever I have pro-
posed characters, either as those of varieties or of species, I
have not based them on the circumscription or cutting of the
frond.
€uMxL
This fern grows with vigour in the ordinary soil of gardens,
requiring no shade, but enjoying moisture. In pot-cultivation,
I find it thrive in a mixture of peat and loam, with pieces of
limestone or oolite intermixed : it seems to enjoy abundant
watering, and likes being watered with lime-water. The drain-
age should be good, as its roots will not bear constant contact
with water : in the hUl regions where it abounds, the fall of
rain is frequent and abundant, but the water passes off by per-
colation through the soil, or by other modes of escape, and
never stagnates about the caudices or radicles of the ferns.
183 GENUS LOPHODIUM,
The following formula may he useful, as affording the means
of comparing at a glance the names now proposed for the spe-
cies of my genus Lophodium with those adopted hy our syste-
matic British botanists for the same plants : the latest edition
is quoted in each instance.
Lophodium, i\^e!t)ma?i. LiASTn^A, Babington. Asvidwm, Hook. <£ Am.
Fceniseoii, Lowe = Fceniseoii = Spinulosum, y.
Collinum, Newm. = Dilatata, /3.
Multiflorum, Roth = Dilatata, «. = Spinulosum, iS.
Glandulosiim, Neicm.
Spinosum, Roth = Spinulosa
Uliginosum, Newm. = Cristata, 0. = Spinulosum, a.
Callipteris, Ehrh. = Cristata, a. = Cristatum
Rigidum, Hoffm. = Rigida = Rigidum
Spinulosum, 8.
Four additional names are introduced into Mr. Moore's
'Handbook,' as varieties, — " Smithii," "dumetorum," " an-
gusta," and " maculata : " the following are the characters and
sjTionymes which accompany them : — ■
" y. Smithii : fronds narrowly subtriangular- elongate -ovate,
bipinnate ; pinnse opposite horizontal distant ; pinnules nar-
rowly decurrent with the slender wing of rachis, oblong obtuse
serrated, the serratures incurved ; scales of the stipes dark two-
coloured, and except at the base small narrow and scattered.
" Aspidium spinulosum, Smith, Eng. Fl. iv. 279, according to a speci-
men communicated as authentic by Mr. H. Shepherd.
" S: dumetorum : fronds broadly subtriangular ovate, bipin-
nate dwarf; lobes of the pinnules strongly serrated at the ends;
scales of the stipes two-coloured but pallid.
" Aspidium dumetorum. Smith, Eng. Fl. iv. 281.
" s. angusta : fronds linear-lanceolate bipinnate ; pinnse short
deltoid, the inferior and superior pinnules of the lowest pinnse
very unequal ; scales of the stipes two-coloured but pallid.
" i. maculata : fronds oblong-ovate, with stalked glands be-
neath, most numerous along the ribs ; bipinnate ; scales of the
stipes broad-lanceolate, whole-coloured, pallid.
" Lastrea maculata, Dealmi, Florigr. Brit. iv. 110." — Handb. 123.
DEYOPTEEIS FILIX-MAS.
183
MALE FERN.
(The detached pinnce, a, affinis, and h, Borreri, represent pinnce
of the natural size).
184 MALE FERN.
Genus. — Dbtopteeis. Caudex large, massive, and persist-
ent, erect, its growing extremity alwaj^s composed of a most
obvious crown of undeveloped fronds : first upper and first
lower pinnules nearly equal in magnitude, and neither notably
larger than the succeeding j)innules : the ultimate divisions of
the fronds are bluntly toothed, the teeth not terminating in a
spine : midvein of ultimate divisions distinct ; lateral veins
divided, each branch running into a tooth, but ceasing before
reaching its apex : clusters of capsules seated on the anterior
branch, half-way between its origin and apex, completely in-
closed by a reniform involucre, which has no exposed margin,
but is attached at its emargination which is directed towards
the base of the capsuliferous vein.
Species. — Filix-mas. Caudex tufted : stipes short, densely
clothed with reddish scales : fronds semierect, lanceolate, pin-
nate : pinnae numerous, pinnate : pinnules serrated : involucre
strictly reniform, without stalked glands : clusters of capsules
confined to the upper part of the frond.
Polypodium FiUx-mas, Linn. Sp. PI. 1551 ; Lightf. Fl. Scot.
671 ; Huds. Fl. Aug. 458 ; With. Arr. 775.
Polipodium Filix-mas, Bolt. Fil. Brit. 44, t. 24.
Polystichum FUix-mas, Roth, Flor. Germ. iii. 82.
Aspidium Filix-mas, Swartz, Syn. Fil. 55; Sm. E. F. iv. 288,
E. B. 1458 et 1949, (excl. the text) ; Mack. Fl. Hib. 340;
Hook, and Am. 569.
Aspidium cristatiim, Sm. E. B. 1949 ; Mack. Fl. Hib. 340.
Dryopteris Filix-mas, Schott, Fil.
Lastrea Filix-mas, Presl, Tent. Pterid. 76 ; Newm. N. A. 19,
F. 197; Bab. 410; Moore, 103.
The name of " Filix-mas," or " male fern," seems to have
been ascribed to the present species by universal consent.
Gerarde, Bay, and all our earlier authors, give it one or both
of these designations.
DRYOPTERIS FILIX-MAS. 185
The genus Dryopteris was established by Schott in his
'Filices' (vol. and page unnumbered), and founded on D. Filix-
mas : it differs from Lophodium in the remarkably perfect and
reniform involucre, which entirely incloses the capsules as in a
bladder. I have already stated (page 131) why such ferns as
this cannot properly be transferred to Bory's genus Lastrea.
Concerning trivial names, I shall have more to say presently.
The male fern is found in every country of Europe and
Northern Asia, and has been collected in Africa. Beck gives
it as a native of North America, but it does not occur in either
of the collections I have received from the United States,
through the kindness of Messrs. Boott, Lea, and Tuckerman.
This is a most abundant species, and one which seems to
delight in wooded and cultivated districts : although scattered
over every part of the kingdom, it is ever most abundant in
rich soil and shady situations : it lives to a great age, and the
fronds of each succeeding year appear to increase in size.
The radicles are extremely strong and tough ; they are of a
dark brown colour, and penetrate very deeply into the earth :
the caudex is tufted ; if in a favourable situation, it elongates
slightly every year, so that in very old plants it makes a de-
cided appearance above ground, and its crown appears to be
seated on a short trunk ; more often, however, it assumes a
pendant position, as represented at page 183, the crown of the
caudex curving at the extremity, and the fronds growing in a
nearly erect position. The fronds make their appearance in
May ; at first they are perfectly circinate, but after a few days
the apex of each is liberated, and hangs down, the frond at this
period possessing the bend which characterises a shepherd's
crook, as represented at page 183. In this state it is very ten-
der, and is generally cut down by the late frosts of spring : the
loss is, however, quickly supplied ; a second series of fronds
2b
186
MALE FEEN.
make their appearance, and, expanding at a more congenial
season, arrive in safety at maturity. The fronds are mature in
August, and last to the middle of winter quite uninjured : they
are generally fertile, but plants are not of unfrequent occui'-
rence which produce only barren fronds ; and these are gene-
rally larger and greener, and have the pinnules more deeply
serrated than when fertile. The fronds vary from five to ten
or more in number ; their position is nearly erect, or, perhaps,
somewhat slanting, and radiating from a common centre. The
length of the fronds averages between two and three feet,
and the stipes constitutes nearly one-fourth of this, and is very
chaffy. The form of the frond is lanceolate and pinnate : the
lower pinnae are considerably shorter than those of the middle
of the frond, but never approach the diminutive size of those
of Lastrea montana : all the pinnae are nearly linear, but
acute at the apex ; they are regularly pinnate : the j)innules are
somewhat obtuse, dentate at the extremities,
and serrated at their margins. The lateral
veins are forked half-way between the midvein
and the margin : after the fork, the anterior
branch bears a nearly circular cluster of cap-
sules ; these are covered by a smooth, lead-co-
loured, reniform involucre, which is attached
to the back of the vein at the point where the
stalks of the capsules are inserted : the involu-
cre is more perfect, conspicuous, and lasting
than in any other British fern : the lateral veins do not quite
reach the margin of 'the pinnules, and the anterior branch of
each is not quite so long as the posterior.
Daiictits.
In retaining the forms of Filix-mas under that specific name,
I feel that I may perhaps be charged with a diversity of prac-
tice, havuig, in the case of the Lophodiums, assigned specific
rank to forms which are certainly not more distant from each
other. Such a charge, apart from explanation, seems just; but
this difference obtains. In Lophodium I admit no intermediate
forms, but include all the individuals I have ever seen in one
DEYOPTEEIS FILIX-MAS. 187
or other of the proposed species : in Dryopteris, I select three
prominent forms, which constitute links in a chain : these links
I shall describe ; the other links, the connecting links, remain-
ing undefined, and the entire chain constituting the species.
This chain consists of a series of plants, commencing with a
frail submemhranaceous texture, lax habit, large size, copi-
ously divided frond, and deciduous nature, and terminating
in a tough leathery texture, rigid habit, dwarf stature, little-
divided frond, and persistent nature.
1. Fischer's Male Fern : Dbyopteris affinis : Dryopteris
FiLix-MAS, var. affi7iis.
Polystichum Filix-mas, var. 1, Both, Flor. Germ. iii. 84.
" Frondibus tri-quadripedalibus latissimis. Filix palus-
tris maxima dentata. C. Bauh. Pin. p. 358, Prodr. p. 150.
Bergen, Flor. Francof. p. 330, n. 4. Bohmer, Lips. n. 718.
Var. Buxh. Halens. p. 113. Nonne Erford. p. 309, n. 3.
Var. Spectabilem hancce varietatem in Germania minus
copiosam nondum vidi, quam C. Bauhinus in Prodrome
1. c. descripsit." — Both, I. c.
" Aspidium affine, Fischer et Meyer, in Hohenack. Enum.
Taliisch. p. 10. Buprecht, in Beitr. z. Pflanzenk. d. Russ.
R. iii. p. 36." — Ledehour, I. c.
Polystichum afiine, Ledehour, Fl. Boss. xiv. 515.
Lastrea Filix-mas, fig. b., Neivm. F. 197.
Lastrea Filix-mas, (3. incisa, Moore, Phytol. iii. 137, TIandb.
103 ; Bab. 410.
Aspidium FUix-mas, var., Francis, 39.
Aspidium Filix-mas, /3. erosum. Hook, and Am. 569.
Passing over the earlier notices, those of Eoth, and the
authors whom he cites, because unaccompanied by a name, we
come to those of Fischer and Meyer, Ruprecht, and Ledehour,
all of whom give the plant the name of " affine." Ledebour's
character is very clear and veiy distinctive, and no one, so far
as I can ascertain, doubts the identity of the plant now under
^^^ MALE FERN.
consifcleration with the Aspiclium or Polystichum affine of those
authors : but against tliis an earlier name is brought on the
carpet by high authority. Sir William Hooker refers this
fern fit his Aspidium Filix-mas, but also considers that it is
identical with the Aspidium erosum of Schkuhr, found by that
eminent pteridographer near Dresden, and figured in his great
work, (t. 45). This opinion is repeated by Mr. Francis (Anal.
39), and again by the distinguished authors of the sixth edition
of the ' British Flora ; ' and acting on this, but not believing it
a species, they call the fern Aspidium Filix-mas, B. erosum.
These learned botanists have evidently omitted to observe that
the A. erosum of Schkuhr has a flat involucre, with reniform
outline, and free elevated margin, beset with stalked glands :
these and other characters bring the A. erosum of Schkuhr
very near to the Lophodium multiflorum of this work. The
next notice of this plant is in the 'British Ferns' (p. 201), where
I have purposely abstained from giving it another name : I ac-
knowledge my obligation to Miss Browne, of Tallantire Hall,
near Cockermouth, for a series of specimens, and then point
out the characters in which it differs from the ordinary form of
Filix-mas, and figure a distinctive pinnule. Mr. T. Moore re-
describes this fern in the ' Phytologist ' (iii. 137), giving it the
name of Lastrea Filix-mas, var. incisa ; but he goes unnecessa-
rily out of his way to criticise my prior description, saying that
Mr. Newman " does not very distinctly explain nor indicate its
peculiarities." In order to prove this, he cites my brief dia-
gnosis minus the following words : — " The pinnules are longer,
narrower, and more distant [than in the ordinary form of FUix-
mas], as represented in the pimia figure a [page 183] : the first
upper j^innule Is generally much longer than the first inferior^
And thus he really appears to justify his very uncandid ob-
servation.
Roth, as we have seen, notes this fern as an inhabitant of
Germany, and Ledebour gives it the following range in the
Russian empire : — "In the South of Russia near Stawropol ;
in the Caucasus near Somchetia ; in the territory of Eliza-
DEYOPTERIS FILIX-MAS. 189
bethpol, and province of Karabagh ; also between Liman and
Perimbal." I believe it is not uncommon on the continent.
In England I believe it to be not uncommon. I am indebted
for my first acquaintance with it to Miss Browne, of Tallantire
Hall, near Cockermouth, in Cumberland, who obligingly sent
me an abundant supply of fronds. Dr. Allchin has observed it
growing very luxuriantly near Bangor. My friend, Mr. Clark,
found it extremely fine in King's Cliff Vale, near Bridgwater,
in Somersetshire. Mr. T. Moore finds it near Guildford, in
Surrey; and Mr. A. G. More in the Isle of Wight.
Eadicles and caudex unknown to me : stipes about one-
fourth as long as the frond, which is very large, robust, broadly
lanceolate, and pinnate : the pinnse are distant, linear-lanceo-
late, very long, and pinnate : the pinnules are very distinct and
distant at the base of each pinna, nearer towards the apex, but
not crowded ; they have a narrow basal attachment, but are
strictly sessile ; they are narrow and gradually acuminate, the
sides are deeply notched, and the teeth of the lobes serrated ;
each pinnule is frequently slightly auricled at the base : the
clusters of capsules are in a single series on each side of the
midvein, and extend nearly to the apex of each pinnule. The
frond assumes the autumnal brown hue very early, but the life-
less fronds, as in Eupteris aquilina, retain their attachment
throughout the winter : the scales of the stipes and rachis are
of a rusty brown colour.
2. Borrer's Male Fern : Dryopteris Borkeri : Deyopteeis
FiLix-MAS, var. Borreri.
None, as distinguished from Filix-mas, but certainly many,
and possibly most, of the synonymes cited for Filix-mas belong
to the present plant.
190
MALE FEBN.
There is an evident allusion to this fern in the sixth edition
of the ' British Flora,' as below : — " Mr. Borrer finds a vari-
ety, common in Devonshire, with more copious and brighter
coloured scales on the stipes and racliis, and with a bright
golden yellow tinge on the whole frond."
Mr. Backhouse, in the passage cited below, evidently alludes
to this fern as a variety.
I have seen this fern repeatedly in continental collections,
but not distinguished as a variety. I have no reason to doubt
its frequent occurrence throughout the continent of Europe,
but the ordinary continental form of Filix-mas manifestly ap-
proaches more nearly to the plant previously described.
The first recorded British habitat of this fern is in Devonshire, where it
was observed by Mr. Borrer, (see Hook, and Am. 569) j but the plant has
been familiar to me for many years. I have found it occasionally in Here-
fordshhe, Shropshire, Worcestersliire, Sussex, Surrey and Kent, butahvays
regarded it as the true or normal form of Filk-mas, because it has been
selected for representation by almost all authors. Mr. Baoldiouse extends
its range northwards; he writes thus: — "The plant noticed in Hooker and
Amott's Flora as a variety of Lastrea FiUx-mas, noticed in Devonshire,
with a raohis scaly nearly throughout its length and of a yellowish hue, is
frequent in the mountain districts of Yorkshire, Durham, and of at least
some parts of Scotland. Its pinnules are nearly enthe, truncate ol* perhaps
truncately obtuse and slightly toothed at the apex : the palese are reddish
browTi, and the fronds, especially in a young state, of a yeUowish green. At
the High Force, in Upper Teesdale, on both sides of the river ; near St.
John's Chapel, Weardale, Durham ; at the Bilberry Reservoir, Holm
Moss, (where it attains a height of four feet) ; near Huddersfield, York-
shhe ; in glens of the Clova mountains, particularly the ravine of White
Water, which is at the head of Glen Dole ; 1 have especially noticed this
plant growing in many of these localities along with the common variety.''
— (See Phytol. iv. 715). In Wales it is far from uncommon : I was espe-
cially struck by its extraordinary beauty at Hafod, the seat of the Duke of
Newcastle, in Cardiganshire, where I was assured it was planted on the
slopes by the late Colonel Johnes, the friend of Sir J. E. Smith, and the
builder of the mansion. Nothing can exceed the taste displayed by that
gentleman in converting naked and unpicturesque hills into scenery as
DEYOPTERIS FILIX-MAS. 191
lovely as any the United Kingdom can boast : the very ferns obeyed bis
will ; this golden-coloured wilding having been brought by wagon-loads and
planted so as to form an undergrowth to his wooded slopes, in lieu of the
common brakes. The woods are themselves artificial, yet being planted with
a perfect knowledge of the " ars celare artem," they hang over cataracts,
fringe streams, or cap eminences just as Nature might be supposed to
scatter them when in her wildest and happiest mood.
Radicles and caudex unknown to me : stipes about one-fifth
as long as the frond : fronds narrow-lanceolate, pinnate, rigid,
symmetrically ranged round a centre : the stipes is clothed
with beautifully ruddy-golden scales; these, as usual, are much
larger and broader at the base, but are continued as scales,
or under the form of hairs, throughout the general and par-
tial rachides, imparting their beautiful hue to the entire under
surface : the leafy portion of the frond is leathery, slightly
glabrous, and yellowish green : the pinnae are very numerous,
very approximate, linear, and acute at the apex ; they are
deeply pinnatifid, sometimes almost pinnate, but the pinnules
are always confluent at the base, and approximate at their mar-
gins ; they are usually truncate, or, perhaps, more correctly
speaking, truncately obtuse and toothed at theix apices ; the
lateral margins toothed : the clusters of capsules are large, few
in number, and confined to two or three pairs at the base of
each pinnule : the involucres are perfectly reniform and very
enduring : upon the upper side of the frond there is frequently
a dark spot on the partial rachis, at the base of each pinna :
this character was pointed out to me by Mr. WoUaston, whose
knowledge of the British ferns infinitely exceeds that of any
other botanist with whom I have ever enjoyed the opportu-
nity of conversing, and this gentleman considers it not only a
constant but an important diagnostic character : still, having
carefully noticed its diversity in living, and its very frequent
absence from dried specimens, I feel disinclined to adopt Mr.
Wollaston's views without modification.
192
MALE FERN.
DeCandolle's Male Fern : Deyopteris abbeeviata
Deyopteris Filix-mas, var. ahhreviata.
Polystichum abbreviatum, Lmii. et DC. Fl. Frang. ii. 560.
" On pourrait, au premier coup-d'-oeil, prendre cette
espece pour une simple vari6te de la fougere male, mais
elle est de moitie au moins plus petite ; ses pinnules sont
plus courtes, plus obtuses, et presque d'egale largeur dans
toutes leur etendues : leur lobes sont plus larges, plus
courts et moins nombreux, et chacun d'eux ne porte ordi-
nairement a sa base qu'un seul groupe de fructifications,
tandis qu'on en trouve plusieurs a la base de chaque lobe
dans la foUgere male." — Fl. Fr. I. c.
Lastrea Filix-mas, var. Neivm. F. 202.
Lastrea Filix-mas, var. abbreviata. Bah. 410 ; Moore, 104.
" Cette jplante a 6te trouvee dans les Landes, par les C.
Dufour et Thore."— i^L Fr. ii. 560. I know of no other extra-
British habitat besides the French one thus indicated.
In England, the only recorded stations are Ingleborougli
Hill, in Yorkshire, where it was found by the Eev. Mr. Pinder,
to whom I am indebted for a frond ; and the basaltic cliffs of
Teesdale, where it was found by Mr. Backhouse, and, accord-
ing to that acute botanist, is " common." — (See Phytol. iv. 715).
Radicles and caudex unknown to me : stipes not more than
a sixth of the entire length of the frond, clothed with lanceo-
late, pale brown, concolorous scales, the margins of which, in
the specimens I have examined, are serrated : frond lanceolate,
pinnate : pinnae about twenty pairs before they are lost in the
DETOPTEEIS FttlX-MAS.
193
apex, elongate-triangiilar, the basal pair very short, and almost
equilateral, but having all the angles rounded, the succeeding
ones gradually increase in length, but the interspaces decrease ;
the lower pair of pinnee are pinnate, but the upper ones only
pinnatifid: pinnules adnate, and, except the basal pair, decur-
rent, very closely approximate, very
blunt and rounded, serrated; the teeth
of the serratures broad and blunt :
clusters of capsules reniform, generally
two, sometimes three, at the base of
each pinnule ; these form a series on
each side of the midrib of each pinna,
and are closely contiguous thereto.
Two other forms stUl remain. 1.
The "recui-vum" of Francis (Anal. 36),
which was found by Mr. Cameron on
Snowdon, and is of dwarf habit, and
has all the ultimate divisions of the
fronds crisped and turned upivards, as
in Foenisecii. Mr. Francis says turned
down : but as the late Mr. Cameron
showed me his original plants, and
transmitted by my hands to London
the specimens upon which Mr. Francis
appears to have founded his named va-
riety, there is little doubt as to our
referring to the same form. We j)er-
haps use different terms to express the
same thing : the readers of the ' Phy-
tologist ' have seen that the word " re-
curved " may be understood as curved
upwards or curved dowmvards. My
friend, Mr. Pamplin, of Frith Street,
most obligingly presented me with living plants of this fern,
collected by himself : like Mr. Cameron's, they were of very
diminutive size and slow growth.
2. Another strange example of variation occurs in the her-
barium of the late Mr. Winch, now in the possession of the
2 c
194
MALE FERN.
Linnean Society, and is figured on the preceding page. It is
precisely analogous to the Lonchitiform specimens of Polysti-
clium aculeatum, the frond being simply pinnate, the margins
of the pinnte waved, and quite undivided : it does not appear
to be a young or seedling plant, being as fully fruited, in pro-
portion to its size, as fronds of larger growth. Dr. Johnstone,
in his ' Terra Liudisfarnensis,' has the following passage on
this frond : — "It was iirst described in my 'Flora of Berwick,'
(ii. p. 11) : and I gave Mr. "Winch his specimen. He seems to
have omitted the habitat, viz., Ennis, Clare, Ireland, where it
was gathered in abundance by the Eev. John Baird."
CttltttW.
The male fern is remarkably easy of culture ; it enjoys rich
and light soil of any kind, and does not require SA\y protection.
Is has a very beautiful appearance when grown under trees.
The medicinal properties of the male fern were formerly
highly extolled. All our herbalists, ancient and modern, from
Dioscorides to DeCandolle, agree as to its value as a vermifuge.
Tragus x^rescribes the root for this purpose, (p. 517) ; and
Gerarde, quoting the authority of Dioscorides, writes thus : —
" The root of the Male Feme, being taken to the weight of
half an ounce, driveth forth long flat worms as Dioscorides
writeth, being drunke in Mede or honied water, and more effec-
tually if it be given with two scruples or two third parts of a
dram of Scamonie or of Black Hellebore : they that will use it
must first eat Garlicke. The root hereof is reported to be good
for them that have ill spleenes, and being stamped with swines
grease and applied it is a remedy against the pricking of the
reed." — Ger. Em. 1130. Tragus has a very curious passage
on the subject of its curing wounds inflicted by reeds, and says,
that so great is the antipathy of the male fern and the reed to
each other, that where one grows the other will not. The same
author recommends a piece of the root of this fern to be laid
DKYOPTEEIS FLLIX-MAS. 195
under the tongue of a horse that has fallen sick from any un-
known cause : by this application the disease will be expelled,
and the horse recovered.
I learn from my friend, Mr. Hanbury, of Plough Court, that
this fern is still used in medicine ; and, although long neglect-
ed, is returning into some favour with the medical profession.
We also learn from the Edinburgh ' Monthly Journal of Medi-
cal Science,' that the powdered root or oleo-resin of male fern
is an excellent remedy for tape-worm, (page 556).
But perhaps the best summary of the medical properties of
Filix-mas is to be foimd in the ' Phytologist,' from the pen of
Dr. Lauder Lindsay : —
" Lastrea Filix-mas. — This has been repeatedly used, of late,
in different wards of this hospital, as an anthelmintic, in the
treatment of tape-worm, [Tcenia solium). It has also been
extensively applied to the same purpose by the profession in
Edinburgh, and other parts of Scotland. It had fallen into
disuse greatly in this neighbourhood, in consequence of sup-
posed inefficiency, but undeservedly so, until Prof. Christison,
in two papers published in the ' Edinburgh Monthly Medical
Journal,' for June, 1853, and July, 1853 ("On the Treatment of
Tape-worm by the Male Shield Fern "), showed that the want
of success, in some cases, depended on bad preparations of the
root, or old roots, being used. He found it almost uniformly
successful in the form of an oleo-resinous extract, obtained by
percolation of the root with ether. It is recommended in the
dose of eighteen to twenty-four grains, followed by a purgative.
In many parts of England, nothing is more common as a ver-
mifuge than half a drachm to a drachm of the powder of the
root, made up in the form of an electuary, with a little treacle
or jelly ; in other parts of the country, the oil of the male fern
is an equally common nostrum. But in neither of the latter
conditions can its action be relied upon, especially if purchased
in the shops of druggists, who generally not only sell old roots
and bad preparations, but some the roots of totally different
species. It is most apt to be, and has most frequently been,
confounded with Athjaium Filix-femina, the root of which, it
has yet to be proved, has a similar virtue. If time permit, ni
the course of this summer I intend making a series of experi-
ments, to determine whether the same anthelmintic, or what,
l^B MALE FEEN.
properties reside in the roots of other of our common ferns.
This fern was first used at Genfeve, by Peschier, some twenty
or thirty years ago, in the form of an etherial extract ; but it
appears to have been recommended as a vermifuge by Theo-
phrastus, Dioscorides, and Galen ; and it formed the chief part
of Madame Nouffer's celebrated reinedy for the tape-worm. It
does not appear to be accurately determined on what special
ingredients of the root its vermifuge property depends : we
know it contains tannic and gallic acids. There is some con-
trariety of opinion as to the proper period of the year for col-
lecting the plant for use; Peschier regarding it as most effectual
if gathered between May and September, and Prof. Christison
considering the date of collection immaterial. The only cau-
tion necessary in using it is, probably, that it ought always to
be had fresh ; if gathered and prepared by the practitioner him-
self, so much the better. The oleo-resin, however, seems to
retain its properties for a considerable time ; though what this
period accurately is, still remains sh6 jxidice. It has been found
quite efficient after being kept a year, (Prof. Christisn, loc. cit.)
Prof. Christison commends it as a less disagreeable and more
efficient anthelmintic than the ' Abyssinian Kousso, the conti-
nental pomegranate, or the American turj)entine. It is sur-
prising that Peschier's observations, made on a very large scale
indeed, have attracted so little attention in Britain.' Dr. Ku-
chenmeister recently made a number of experiments iTpon the
relative value of vermifuges in common use, by immersing liv-
ing worms in albumen at a temperature above 77° Fahr., and
adding the anthelmintic. He found Ttenia crassicornis, thus
treated with the etherial extract of the male fern, died in two
hours and three quarters, — a longer period, however, than in
the case of Kousso {Brayera anthelmintica, an Abyssinian rosa-
ceous shrub). Pereira gives an excellent article on this fern in
his ' Materia Medica ' (vol. ii. part 1), which may be referred to
for particulars as to the chemistry of the root. See also Chris-
tison's ' Dispensatorjr,' Eoyle's ' Materia Medica,' Graves's
' Hortus Medicus,' and other works on Medical Botany, or the
Pharmacopoeias." — Dr. Lauder Lindsay in Phytol. iv. 1062.
The following extract is from the ' New Homoeopathic Phar-
macopoeia ' : —
" Tincture of Polypodium Filix-mas. — We gather the plant
DKYOPTEEIS FILrX-MAS. 197
in the summer months. That which grows on stony declivities
towards the North is considered the most efficacious. Of the
fresh dug roots we take the inner marrow, and we likewise take
the youngest rudimentary leaves which are neither withered
nor gangrened, of a bright green colour, a strong sweetish and
offensive smell, and similar taste, which afterwards becomes
bitterish, acerb, and slightly astringent. Both are stripped of
their brown epidermis, after which we prepare according to
class 2."— See Phytol. iv. 1098.
There is no doubt in my mind that all ferns with a large
tufted caudex are used for this purpose, both by allopaths and
homoeopaths. I have found great difference of opinion among
chemists, as to what plant is really the Filix-mas of medicine,
some even contending that it is the Ctenopteris vulgaris of this
work ; and I have never yet met with a " simpler " who could
distinguish between Dryopteris Filix-mas and Polystichum
aculeatum: but, from the best informed, I learn that the "male
fern " of medicine ought to be the species now under conside-
ration.
Schkuhr says that this fern, together with its roots, is used
in dressing leather, and the ashes in bleaching linen and in the
manufacture of glass ; there are, however, many earlier notices
than Schkuhr's of these different uses, especially as regards
glass. Parkinson writes : — "Of the ashes of Feme is made a
kinde of thicke or darke coloured greene glasse in sundry pla-
ces in France, as in the Dutchy of Maine &c. (and in England
also as I have been told by some), out of which they drinke
their wine." — Park. The. 1039. In Norway its fronds serve as
fodder for oxen, horses, sheep and goats : when dried, it fur-
nishes good litter for cattle, and when decayed, is a valuable
manure.
"Formerly," continues Schkuhr, "this fern and its root were
applied to many superstitious uses, since divers vagabonds
prepared from the latter, together with its young, incurved,
and yet unexpanded fronds, the so-called ' lucky hands, 'or ' St.
John's hands,' which they sold to ignorant and credulous
people, both in town and country, as preservatives against
witchcraft and enchantment. This still goes on in our own
enlightened time ; and it is a great scandal to Christianity that
many men believe more in such things than in anything else.
198
MALE FERN.
Only a few years ago a clergyman's wife in this neighbourhood
purchased one of these St. John's hands for four shillings ; and
I have known others buy little bits cut from such a hand for
four to eight groschen, to be given in drink to their cattle, as a
means of protecting them against enchantment and witchcraft :
it is a pity that such remedies will not also protect us against
death." Tragus also informs us that some of the uses to which
this fern was formerly applied, are too scandalous to relate. It
is very amusing to find almost every one of these old botanists
bewailing the wickedness and credulity of times gone by, yet
recommendiag herbs for the most improper uses, or assigning
to them the most marvellous powers : our old friend, Gerarde,
after many a kind warning to his readers against credulity,
winds up his ' Herbal ' with an avowal of implicit faith in the
fable of the barnacle goose tree !
PSEUDATHYEIUM ALPESTEE.
199
ALPINE LADY FERN, {representing exactly of the natural
size so 7nuch of a small frond as covld he sho7vn on the page).
^^^ ALPINE LADY FEEN.
Genus. — Pseudathyrium. Caudex large, massive, persist-
ent, its growing extremity always composed of a most obvious
crown of undeveloped fronds : pinnte with the first upper pin-
nule as large as or larger than the first lower, neither conspi-
cuously larger or longer than the second and succeeding pin-
nules: midvein of each pinnule distinct; lateral veins alternate,
running to the margin, where they cease : clusters of capsules
small, quite round, at first distinct, but sometimes crowded
when mature, always perfectly without involucre, seated on the
lateral veins, but not at their extremity.
Species. — Alpestee. Caudex tufted: stipes very much
shorter than the frond : frond broad-lanceolate, pinnate : pinnte
numerous, crowded, sublinear, acute, pinnate : pinnules nume-
rous, approximate, adnate, broadest at base, subacute at apex,
lobed, lobes crenate : lateral veins branched : clusters on the
anterior branch, and apparently in the sinus of the pinnule.
Polypodium alpestre, Koch, Syn. ed. 9. p. 974 ; Godet, Flore
clu Jura, 851 ; Moore, 50.
Polypodium rhseticum, Pallas, It. 28 ; Fries, Siimma, 82 ;
Ledeboiir, Fl. Ross. xiv. 510 ; Woods, Tour. Fl. 423.
Aspidium alpestre, Schkuhr, 58, t. 60.
Aspidium rhseticum, Swartz, Syn. Fil. 59 ; Willd. Sp. PI.
V. 380 ; Sprengel, Syst. Veg. iv. 107.
Pseudathyrium alpestre, Newm. Phytol. iv. 370, App. xiv.
This fern is placed in the genus Polypodium or Aspidium,
according to the taste of the author describing it ; proving the
comprehensive character of those genera. I venture to give it
a new generic appellation, but offer no arguments La favour of
the course adopted, leaving it entirely to the better judgment
of future pteridologists to make their selection. The specific
name seems more readily settled : this fern has but two, alpes-
tre and rhseticum ; the latter was given by Linneus to Filix-
femina, but as the name of FUix-femina became generally
PSEUDATHYEIUM ALPESTRE. 201
adopted, the name of rh£eticum became unrepresented : as a
remedy for this, Roth, followed by Newman and Moore, trans-
fer it to a form of Filix-femina ; Hudson to foenisecii; Bolton,
Withering, Villars and Willdenow to fragile ; Swartz, Fries,
Ledebour and Woods to alpestre. On this subject I again
refer the reader to Mr. Babington's opinion, cited at page 149
of this work.
This fern occurs in Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany
and Russia, and probably also in other European countries :
but, if so, the records have escaped me.
In Great Britain it is at present only known as a native of
Scotland, where it apj)ears to grow in the greatest profusion,
particularly in Forfarshire.
For my knowledge of this as a British fern I am indebted to the kind-
ness of Mr. Watson, who describes the localities &o. in the following pas-
sage : — "In July, 1841, I gathered two fronds of this fern in the great
corrie of Ben Aulder, a lofty mountain situate on the west side of Loch
Erricht, Inverness-shire, which is part of the boundary line between the
East and West Highland provinces. Another frond of the same species
was picked at some other spot in the neighbourhood of Loch Enicht, pro-
bably on the hills between Ben Aulder and the north end of the lake, but
it might be on the hills of Drumochter Forest, eastward of the lake ; and
if the latter, the station would be within Moray or Eastern Inverness. In
1844, I brought a frond of it from Canlochen Glen, in Forfarshire>
These specimens (except the second from Ben Aulder, given to Mr. Ba-
bington) remained in my herbarium until 1851, first doubtfully labelled,
and then temporarily forgotten. Theh close resemblance to small fronds
of Athyrium FiUx-fcemma made me feel very uncertain whether they could
be properly referred to Polypodium, until Mr. Newman (to whom the Can-
lochen frond was at length shown, when again recollected) decided it to be
Polypodium alpestre. Now that it is known to be a native of at least two
Highland counties, we may reasonably e.xpect that it will be found in other
counties by botanists who seek it in the knowledge of its close resemblance
to Athyrium Filix-foemina, for which latter fern tliis species may readi'y
have been mistaken and passed by." — Cyb. Brit. iii. 2-53. It has since
been found in vast quantities by Mr. T. Westcombe and Mr. Backhouse.
The former gentleman, mader date " Clova, July 23, 1852," writes as
202
ALPINE LADY FERN.
follows-. — " Heremth I forward a sample of a certain fern, common in this
district, and which I consider is the Polypodium alpestre. I fomid it in
Canlochen, and also in Glens Prosen and Fiadh ; and it is commoner than
Athyrium Fihs-femina, and varies much in size, from four inches to three
feet in length. When large, it has quite the appearance of Athyrium FOix-
femina, and lohen small, and in fructification, looJcs more like a Cysto-
pteris." — Phytol. iv. 653. Mr. Backhouse, in a communication dated
" September 13, 18.53," writes thus : — " After Thomas Westcombe, of
Worcester, left us, we (i. e., my son and myself, who were subsequently
joined by G. S. Gibson) continued to find Pseudathyrium alpestre in all the
corries of the Dee-side mountains, and those of the neighbouring districts.
It was often mixed with Athyrium Filix-femma, at an elevation of from
2000 to 3000 feet ; but from 3000 to 4000 feet Filix-femina had ceased,
and P. alpestre was plentiful. In damp gorges, and among tumbled rocks,
it was often destitute of fructification ; but in more open places it was abun-
dantly in fructification, varying from six inches to three feet four inches in
height. A remarkable variety, with defiexel pinna, ivas only met toith in
one place in Glen Prosen." — Id. 715,
Radicles strong and numerous : caudex massive, enduring,
erect, exhibiting no tendency to lateral elongation ; its crown
broad, gibbous, scaly : fronds arranged with regularity round
the crown, but the symmetrical apipearance is lost when lateral
crowns are formed : stipes short, clothed but not densely with
long, pale brown, semidiaphanous scales, which are broad near
the base and acute at the apex : fronds broad-lanceolate, rigid,
pinnate : pinnaB twenty or thirtj^ on each side before they begin
to merge in the apical portion of the frond, approximate, as-
cending, sublinear, acute, pinnate : pinnules about twelve jiairs
on each pinna, sessile, but the point of attachment so narrow
that they appear almost stalked, broad at the base, deeply di-
vided into lobes on the sides, subacute at the apex ; the lobes,
as well as the apex, serrated : the lateral veins once or twice
dichotomously branched : the clusters of capsules small, quite
round, seated on the back of the anterior branch of the vein,
but not at or very near its extremity, each having the appear-
ance of being seated in a sinus between two lobes of a pinnule ;
perfectlj'^ without involucre.
PSEUD ATHYKIUM FLEXILE.
303
FLEXILE LADY FERN, [natural size of a large plant).
204
FLEXILE LADY FEliX.
€\imttm,
G-enus. — Pseudathyeium. (See page 200).
Species. — Flexile. Catidex massive, its position erect, its
crown broad, gibbous, scaly : fronds ranged somewhat symme-
trically around the crown, estipitate, linear-lanceolate : pinn£e
short, distant, deflexed, blunt, pinnate : pinnules sessile, obo-
vate, obtuse, serrate : lateral veins unbranched, each bearing a
circular cluster of capsules about half-way between its base and
apex : involucre none.
Pseudathyrium flexile, Newm. Phytol. iv. 974.
The earliest notice of this fern is in the Jime number of the
' Phytologist ' for 1852, where it is incidentally mentioned by
Mr. Westcombe, when ^^liting of P. alpestre. He uses these
expressions : — " When small, and in fructification, it [aljDestre]
looks more like a Cystopteris."- — Phytol. iv. 652. Three months
subsequently, Mr. Backhouse, also writing of P. alpestre, ob-
serves : — " A remarkable variety, with deflexed jDuinse.was only
met with in one place in Glen Prosen." — Id. 715. Both com-
munications appear at page 202 of this work, the passages re-
referring to flexile being there printed in Italics. The matter
stood thus until the 18th of May, 1853, when I received for
examination the entire collection of tliese ferns made bj' Mr.
Backhouse and his son, and a more splendid series need not
be desired. I at once perceived that the supposed "variety"
from G-len Prosen was a species, and, sitting down, I penned
characters of the two species, purposely contrasting them.
These were published in the ' Phj'tologist ' for June, 1853.
(See Phytol. iv. 974).
On the 24th of May I exhibited these ferns at the Anniver-
sary Meeting of the Linnean Society, when they were inspiected
by the President, Robert Brown, and by several other leading
botanists ; and neither then, nor on any subsequent occasion,
has any botanist who has seen flexile suggested to me the pos-
sibility of including it in any previously described species. Mr.
PSEUDATHYRIUM FLEXILE. 206
Westcombe and Mr. Backhouse entirely abandon the idea of
its being a form of alpestre, although there can be no doubt, as
We have seen, that this idea did present itself to both of them
at the moment of finding it, possibly because they were totally
unprepared for the occurrence of a second new fern, on ground
for so many years trodden by our Scottish friends in their her-
borizing excursions.
Hitherto found only in Glen Prosen, in Forfarshire, by a
party of botanists consisting of Messrs. James Backhouse,
Thomas Westcombe, and James Backhouse, jun., to all of
whom I am indebted for the opportunity of examining a series
of specimens. In this locality it appears to be most abundant,
and doubtless will be found generally distributed, like alpestre,
over the highland glens of Scotland.
Eadicles very large, strong, and much branched : caudex
massive, enduring, its position erect, its crown broad, gibbous,
scaly : fronds estipitate, by which term I intend to convey the
idea that the rachis bears pinnse, more or less developed, from
its apex to its junction with the caudex ; Unear-lanceolate, very
elongate, very attenuate, very flexile, the last character due to
the tenuity of the rachis ; pinnate : pinnse short, gradually
narrowed, rather blunt, rather distant, deflexed, pinnate, about
fifteen pairs before they lose their distinctness at either extre-
mity; those towards the base gradually diminish in size as well
as length, and finally become almost rudimentary, though their
divisions are not proportionally diminished in number : pin-
nules distinct and apparently separate, yet certainly connected
by the wing of the partial rachis, about five pairs before their
distinctness is lost in the apical portion of the pinna, broad
and blunt at the apex, narrow at the sessile base, and slightly
broader upwards nearly to the apex, so as to render the circum-
scription of each pinnule obscurely pyriform or obovate, on
306 FLEXILE LADY FERN.
each side they usually have three strongly developed ascending
teeth, and are also tri- or bidentate at the apex; the teeth
themselves are also, in some of the most luxuriant and most
developed specimens, bifid : the midvein in each pinnule is
distinct and sUghtly sinuated ; the lateral veins are alternate,
unbranched, and each bears a circular cluster of capsules half-
way between its base and apex : scales small, concolorous, pale
brown, scattered sparingly over the general and partial rachi-
des, but, as usual, larger and more niimerous towards the base
of the frond.
In size this fern is rather diminutive ; its fronds frequently
attam a length of twelve inches, but its average length is seven
inches : it fruits freely, even when not more than three inches
in length. On comparing this description with that originally
published in the ' Phytologist,' it will be seen that several dis-
crepancies occur : of course, the later purports to be the more
correct.
None observed : great pains have been taken to discover ab-
normal forms, or any forms that would indicate an approach to
described species, but it is remarkably constant in all its cha-
racters.
CttltttW.
Both species of Pseudathyrium grow freely in cultivation at
York and Worcester ; and I am indebted to my friend, Mr.
Westcombe, for plants of each, which I have wedged between
pieces of free-stone, filling the interstices with sandy peat : the
crowns look healthy, but it is too early at present to presume
on success, and far too early for me to give any instructions
about culture.
ATHYEIUM FILIX-FEMINA.
207
LADY FERN, [a, one-eighth the natural size).
308 LABY FEEN.
Genus. — Athybium. Caudex large, massive, persistent, its
growing extremity alwaj^s composed of a most obvious crown
of undeveloped fronds : pinnrn with the first upper pinnule as
large as or larger than the first lower, neither conspicuously
larger or longer than the second and succeeding pinnules : mid-
vein of each pinnule distinct ; lateral veins alternate, always
branched, running towards each tooth of an ultimate division,
but ceasing before its apex : clusters of capsules seated on the
anterior branch, and on the anterior side thereof, the line of
their attachment somewhat crescentic : involucre very constant
and distinct, its attachment also somcivhat crescentic, its anterior
margin raised, free, split into capillary segments.
Species. — Fiiix-femina. Fronds lanceolate, pinnate, very
fragile, and early deciduous : pinnse pinnate.
Polypodium Filix-femina, Linn. Sp. PI. lool ; Light/. Fl.
Scot. 673 ; Hucls. Fl. Ang. 458 ; With. Arr. 778.
Polypodium Rhffiticum, Linn. Sp. PI. 1552.
Polipodium Filix-femina, Bolt. Fil. Brit. 46, t. 25.
Aspidium FUix-fcemina {Sicartz), and Aspidium irriguum,
Sm. E. F. iv. 295-6, E. B. 1459, and E. B. S. 2199.
Asplenium Filix-foemina (Bernh.), Mack. Fl. Flib. 34 2; Hook,
and Am. 574.
Athyrium Filix-fcemina {Roth), Newm. F. 420 ; Bab. 413.
I have felt so great difficulty in giving, by a figure, any satis-
factory idea of the beauty of this fern, that I refrain from com-
ment on the failures of other depictors. The genus of the lady
fern has been a source of trouble and confusion to our bota-
nists. Lightfoot, Hudson, Withering, and Bolton make it a
Polypodium ; Smith, an Aspidium ; Hooker, an Asplenium ;
Babington, an Athyrium : and all, as I conceive, with equal
propriety. Filix-femina may readily be distinguished by its
elongate and somewhat sausage-shaped clusters of capsules,
covered by a similar- shaped involucre, with its fringed free
ATHYRIUM PILIX-FEMINA. 309
margin : the attachment of the clusters describes a concave,
rather than a direct line, as in Asplenium, and may be called
crescentic. From Hemestheum, Lastrea, Lophodium and Dry-
opteris, it differs in having the clusters of capsules liuear rather
than circular, attached to the side rather than to the back of the
vein, and the involucre which covers them attached longitu-
dinally rather than transversely. Whether it be distinct from
Pseudathyrium is a graver and more difficult question : my own
inclination is to unite them, but supposing this the philosophi-
cal solution of the question, how are we to manage the generic
name ? The species of Pseudathyrium are emphatically ex-
cluded from Eoth's genus Athyrium, by that learned author's
definition of the involucre ; and the species of Athyrium can-
not be comprised in the genus Pseudathyrium, because that is
distinguished by the absence of all involucre. Again, the two
genera will not blend in one, because Eoth's type-species of
Athyrium is Asplenium fontanum, and his second species
Asplenium Halleri. Anticipating the time when characters
founded on the absence, presence, size, or form of an involucre
among Filicacete, will be regarded as of no higher importance
than those founded on the absence, presence, size or form of
a petal among Eanunculacese, I cannot but also anticipate the
eventual union of plants so similar in habit as Filix-femina
and alpestre, in a genus to which a new name may perhaps
be given. The difficulty, in such an arrangement, lies in
releasing the botanical mind from the cramping trammels
which it has so long regarded as necessary. It is imjpossible
for botanists to neglect the involucre ; its characters are not
only patent and manifest, but, what is a matter of stiU greater
importance, are susceptible of perspicuous definition. Still, if
the botanist seek to found on its variations higher groups than
little clusters of species, which, like those known under the
names of Ilvense, fragile, aculeatum, dilatatum, Filix-mas, or
Filix-femina, may or may not be divided into species at the
option or caprice of each successive author, he will find him-
self inextricably involved in the most tangled and unnatural
combinations.
With regard to the genus Athyrium, as composed by Eoth
of two groups, I am clearly of opinion that it cannot stand ;
the fontanum group and the Filix-femina group will not
210
LADY FERN.
harmonise : then if we restrict the genus to the typical or fon-
tanum group, we cannot, by Roth's definition, separate them
from the normal Aspleniums ; and we have no right whatever
to restrict the genus to the Filix-femina or abnormal group,
because that would be a palpable perversion of the author's
meaning and intention.
AU the forms hereafter mentioned as found in Britain, occur
in every country of Europe ; and others, verj' similar, have
been found in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the United States of
America. From the last-mentioned country, my kind corre-
spondents have sent me three supposed species ; but whether
these are really distinct from ours, and from each other, I can
scarcely venture to jironounce, more especially as the question
of species and varieties among our own forms of this fern, is at
present undecided.
In Britain, the lady fern seems to claim precedence in beauty
over every other species. The exquisite grace of its habit, the
elegance of its cutting, and the brilliant delicacy of its colom",
combine to render it an object of general admiration. It may,
perhaps, require some knowledge of kindred species, fully to
understand the peculiarities which unite in giving to this fern
its superiority over the rest ; but dull indeed must be the per-
ception, and cold the heart, that fails to appreciate its excessive
loveliness. It is distributed more or less abundantly through-
out the British Islands, its favourite resort being moist and
warm woods ; but it does not shrink from the exposure of open
moors and naked hill- sides, and, if sheltered by masses of
weather-worn rock, its delicate fronds may often be found deve-
loping their fragile pinnules amid the inclement blasts of our
Scottish Highlands. In Ireland it is more abundant, although
less beautiful, than in England : it there abounds on all the
bogs, and is used as packing for fish and fruit, as we see the
common brakes employed in this country. On landing at
Warren Point, near Newry, I was rather suqjrised to see what
quantities of it were employed in packing the herrings there
exhibited for sale.
ATHYRIUM FILIX-FEMINA. 211
The radicles are black, fibrous, and wiry : the caudex is very
large, and its position erect ; it sometimes rises several inches
above the surface of the ground ; in one instance I have seen it
more than a foot in height, thus evincing a considerable proxi-
mity to the tree ferns of tropical countries : Dr. Ball, of Dub-
lin, showed me a plant of Filix-femina in a Wardian case, in
which this peculiarity was very remarkable.
The fronds make their appearance in May ; at first their ver-
nation is circinate, but as they advance the apex becomes free,
and hangs down, assuming the appearance of a shepherd's crook
(fig. b, page 207) : the form of the frond is lanceolate, and regu-
larly pinnate: the pinnules are simply toothed, or pinnatifid, or
pinnate : the stipes varies from a quarter to a third of the entire
length of the frond, and is swollen at the base ; it has numerous
elongate blackish scales, which are particularly abundant at the
base, and more scattered, smaller, and scarcely observable on
the rachis : both stipes and rachis are frequently tinged with
purple and red ; in some instances I have seen them assuming
almost the colour of coral.
The midvein of the pinnules is waved ; the lateral veins are
forked shortly after leaving the midvein, and each branch runs
into one of the teeth, but ceases before actually touching the
margin : the anterior branch of each bears on its side, about
midway between the midvein and margin, a linear cluster of
capsules : the a,nterior free edge of the involucre is split into a
series of capillary segments. The frond is extremely tender
and fragile, and withers almost immediately on being gathered.
§mtim.
In treating of varieties, I shall adopt the same plan with the
lady fern as I have done with the gentleman. Not being fully
convinced that the named plants are really species, I cannot
conscientiously so denominate them : the difficulty, as in Filix-
mas, being not in the want of distinctness between extreme
forms, but in the multiplicity of intervening individuals.
213
LADY FEEN.
1. Babington's Lady Fern: Athybium convexum : Athy-
EiUM FiLix-FEMiNA, var. convexum.
Athyrium rhsetioum, Roth, Flor. Germ. iii. 67 ; Newm. N. A.
26; Moore, 136.
Athyrium Filix-femina, var. convexum, Newm. F. 345.
Athyrium Filix-foemina, a., Bab. 413.
Athyrium convexum, Newm. Phytol. App. xiii.
I think it preferable to abandon the Linnean name of rhse-
ticum, for the reason I have already stated ; although I am
■willing to admit that it may possibly belong here.
This fern is common in France and Grermany, and I have no
reason to doubt its general distribution on the continent of
Europe.
In Britain it rather affects exposed than sheltered situations.
I have observed it in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Surrey,
Sussex, and Kent : it is less abundant, or less observed, than
the form next to be described.
Eadicles very stout and strong, adhering to the soil with
great tenacity : caudex very large and stout, alvyays composed
of a great number of crowns, from which the fronds, rising si-
multaneously, appear totally without symmetrical arrangement :
stipes short, very stout just above its base, and appearing
almost inflated, and there bearing a few long, pointed, brown
scales, which are more or less tipped with black: frond of mode-
rate size, pale yellow-green, erect, rigid, linear-lanceolate, pin-
nate : stipes and rachis quadrangular, semipellucid, and often
coloured with purple or red : pinnae distant, at first ascending.
ATHYEIUM FILIX-FEMINA.
213
Pitm^ of Athyrium Filix-femina, a, conveKum, 6, incisum, c
{nuUral sine).
moUe,
314
LADY FEEN.
then spreading, and finally defiexed, extremely acute, their mid-
rib not winged : pinnules distant, very narrow, linear, entirely
unconnected, their margins convolute,
(fig. a, on the preceding page, repre-
sents a pinna) : clusters of cajjsules
subrotund, close to the midrib of the
pinnule, and finally covering their un-
der surface, and themselves partially
covered by the convolute margin of the
jDLnnules.
The description of Athyrium rhasti-
cum, va7\ minus, of Eoth (Flor. Germ,
iii. 68), agreeing exactly with Sir J. E.
Smith's specimen of Aspidium irrigu-
um, but scarcely with that author's
descriiJtion, appears to me to be merely
a seedling plant. Smith admits that
his sj)ecies was " raised originally from
seed," and that " after long cultivation
it considerably approaches Filix-femi-
na." There is nothing to show to
which form of Filix-femina this elegant
seedling belongs, but it certainly most nearly resembles Athy-
rium convexum : a figure is given in the margin.
S. The Linnean Lady Fern : Athyrium incisum ; Athyriuisc
FiLix-FEivnNA, var. incisum.
Polypodium incisum, Hoffm. Deutschl. Fl. ii. 6.
Athyrium Filix-femina, Roth, Fl. Germ. iii. 05.
Athyrium Filix-femina, var. incisum, Newm. F. 24.3.
Athyrium Filix-fcEmina, (i., Bab. 41:3.
Athyrium incisum, Neivm. Phytol. App. xiii.
Athyrium Filix-foemina, a., Moore, 139.
ATHYRIUM FILIX-FEMINA. 215
Caudex very large and stem-like, very enduring : stipes a
fourth part as long as the frond, scarcely incrassated at the
base, somewhat scaly : rachis rarely in the slightest degree pel-
lucid, sometimes purplish : fronds very large, suberect, sub-
rigid, dull green, lanceolate, pinnate : jDinnte broad, sublinear,
acute, distinctly pinnate, their midrib winged, (fig. &, page 313) :
pinnules large, long, gradually acute, deeply incised or lobed,
each sinus penetrating almost to the midrib : lobes serrated or
dentate, their margins flattened : clusters of capsules elongate,
approximate, their arrangement unsymmetrical, crowded.
(ieffgrajljinU |\irage.
General : it requires only damp vegetable soil, shade, and
iibsence of molestation.
3. Schreber's Lady Fern : Athyrium molle : Athyjrium
FiLix-FEMiNA, var. molle.
Polypodium molle, Schreber, Spic. Flor. Lips. 70 ; Ehrh.
Cnipt. 9 ; Hnffm. Deutschl. Flor. ii. f5.
Athyrium molle. Roth, Flor. Germ. iii. 61 ; Newm. N. A. 2i>.,
Vliytol. App. xii.
Athyrium Fihx-femina, var. molle, Newm. F. 242.
Athyrium E'ilix-foemina, y., molle, Bab. 413; Moore, 139.
Caudex comparatively small, as well as the entire plant :
stipes very short, scarcely incrassated towards the base : the
frond lax, ilaccid, bright green, lanceolate, much narrowed
216
LADY FEBN.
below, pinnate: pinnte scarcely ascending, approximate, flat-
tened, pinnate, subpinnate, or sometimes only pinnatifid (see
figure c, page 313), the lower ones very short : pinnules blunt,
serrated, not divided or lobed, sessUe, adnate or decurrent, al-
ways connected by the wing of the midrib : clusters of capsules
in a series on each side of the midrib of the pinnule, and very
near it.
Common in damp and very dense woods. Dr. Dickie is said
to have found it in a sea-cave at Aberdeen, and I am indebted
to Mr. Moore for the sight of a frond labelled as from this
locality.
A fourth form has been supposed to exist in England.
Asplenium Filix-foemina, fi., latifolium. Hook, and Am. 574.
Athyrium Filix-fcemina, ^., latifolium, Bab. 413.
Athyrium Filix-foemina, /3., latifolium, Houhton and Moore,
Gard. Mag. of Bot. iii. 262 ; Moore, 139.
Athyrium ovatum, Newni. Phytol. iv. 368 (excl. syn.), Phytol.
App. xii. (excl. syn.)
The two individual roots to which these synonymes belong
have obtained much attention from English botanists : my own
opinion respecting them has undergone a complete change.
The plants are diseased and malformed, and consequently are
not to be treated as having a botanical existence. Mr. Hort
was the first to point out the true state of the case ; but Mr.
"Watson's account, as cited below, is more concise and suffi-
ciently explicit. Mr. WoUaston believed he had seen the plant
frequently in the Lake district, and hence I concluded that the
malformation very observable in the specimens I possess, was
confined to those specimens ; whereas I now believe that dis-
ease occasions, and malformation constitutes, the diagnostics
ATHYHIUM FILIX-FEMINA. 217
of the plant. " In the ' Appendix to the Phytologist for 1851,'
Mr. Newman distinguishes this into four species, — ovatum,
molle, incisum, convexum. The three latter are familiar and
passably well marked varieties, perhaps even species. The first
of the four is the Athyrium Filix-foemina var. latifolium of
Babington's Manual. To my eyes it appears more correctly to
be designated a casual variation, or even monstrositj^, than a
variety. On seeing the fronds of it in the herbarium of Sir W.
J. Hooker, I wrote this opinion of them to Mr. Newman, and
was not sorry to find shortly afterwards (Bot. Gaz. iv. 155) that
Mr. Hort had arrived at a very similar conclusion, indepen-
dently, and on an actual inspection of the living plant in its
native station ; for it seems there is now only one root left,
although it is stated that there were two roots originally. We
might soon multiply our botanical species ten-fold, if it were
admissible to make species on single plants in an abnormal
condition of health or luxuriance." — Cyb. Brit. iii. 273. I
accept these observations as perfectly satisfactory, agreeing
with them in every particular.
Found near Keswick by Miss Wright, to whom, as well as to
Miss Beever and Mr. Babington, I am indebted for specimens.
€nlimt.
No fern is more desirable, as a garden ornament, than the
lady fern. The soil should be light and peatj^, and the supply
of wet can scarcely be too abundant : the roots will bear con-
stant submersion during the summer season, when a succession
of fronds is in course of development. In a greenhouse, it
should have a large pot, and a deep feeder filled with water.
The monstrous forms of the lady fern are great favourites with
cultivators. One, of which I have introduced a figure in the
following page, is very beautiful : it occurs in several places in
Ireland. I am indebted to the late Mr. Ogilby, Dr. Mackay,
and Mr. Moore, for specimens.
2 F
218
LADY FERN.
A monstrosity of Athyrium Filix-femina.
ASPLENIUM LANCEOLATUM.
219
%M,
HUDSON'S SPLEENWOET, {one-fourth the natural size).
Genus. — Asplenium. Midvein distinct ; lateral veins simple
or branched : involucre linear, attached to the side of the vein,
its free margin sometimes jagged, but not split into capillary
segments.
Species. — Lanceolatum. Stipes shorter than the frond :
frond semierect, lanceolate, pinnate : lowest pair of pinnte
shorter than the second pair, all pinnate or pinnatifid : clusters
of capsules at first linear, afterwards circular, distant from the
midrib.
SpMptts, i^um, fe.
Asi^lenium lanceolatum, Huds. Fl. Ang. 454; With. Arr. 770;
Sm. E. F. iv. 311, E. B. 340 ; Sprengel, Syst. Vecj. iv. 88 ;
Franc. 49 ; Moore, 152 ; Ncwm. N.A. 27, F. 249, Phytol.
App. X. ; Hook, and Am. 57:1; Bab. J 14.
220
HUDSON S SPLEENWOET.
Asplenium obovatum (Vivares), Guss. PI. Ear. p. 370, tab.
64 ; Spr. Syst. Veg. iv. 88.
Asplenium Forsteri, Sadler, De Fil. Ver. 32, teste Sprengel,
but Sadler denies this.
The only tolerable figure of this fern with which I am ac-
quainted, is in Gerarde's Herbal, (Ger. Em. 1135) : that in
' English Botanj' ' (t. 240) is more like Asplenium fontanum ;
and that in Mr. Francis's ' Analysis of British Ferns ' (plate 5,
fig. 2), rather resembles Cystopteris fragilis than the present
plant. I do not know Bolton's figure (Fil. Brit. tab. 17, 2),
referred to by Withering.
It is one of those species that has almost escaped all confu-
sion in nomenclatm-e : we are indebted to Hudson (Flor. Ang.
ii. 454) for describing and naming it as a distinct species, and
nearly all subsequent authors have adopted his name. It must,
however, be observed, that our plant is described by Gussone
under the name of Asplenium obovatum, and by S]3rengel
under both names, lanceolatum and obovatum. It is not the
Asj)lenium lanceolatum of Hofiinann (Deutschl. Flor. ii. 12),
an error judiciously pointed out by Weber and Mohr (Bot.
Tasch. 4 1), that plant being nothing more than a variety of A.
Adiantum-nigrum : these authors also correctly observe that
A. lanceolatum has never been found in Germany. It appears
that our plant was well known to Kay, who describes it as
" Filix elegans Adianto nigro accedens, segmentis rotundiori-
bus," — (Syn. 127). The only habitats he gives are, first, on
the authority of Sherard, " rocks on the north side of the Isle
of Jersey ; " and, secondly, on the authority of Bobart, " the
porch of Adderbury church, in Oxfordshire : " he also adds
that it has been found in England by Mr. Woodward, but
gives no more precise information.
Its European range is very limited. Sadler gives it as a
native of France, but it does not appear in the ' Flore Fran-
^aise.' It certainly occiirs in Sicily, Italy, and Portugal. Mr.
Watson informs me that he found it in Fayal, one of the
Azores, and that Dr. Lemann collected it in Madeira.
ASPLENIUM LANCEOLATUM. 321
In Great Britain its range is extremely limited, and its loca-
lities strangely diversified as regards altitudinal and geologi-
cal conditions. It is entirely absent, as far as my information
extends, from Scotland, Ireland, and North and Central Eng-
land. In North AVales it occurs on several high and exposed
localities; for instance, in Caernarvonshire, upon the highest
range between Llanrwst and Capel Cerig, accompanied by A.
septentrionale.
Caebnarvonshihe. — Mr. Wilson informed me that in 1843 he gathered
a few fronds of this fern near my Llanrwst station for Asplenium septentri-
onale, and that it was first observed there by his brother, Mr. H. Wilson,
two years previously. Mr. E. T. Bennett also found it within this county,
on rocks above Tremadoc ; and again plentifully on Carry -y-Imbill, a bold
and almost insulated rock at the entrance of Pwllheli harbour.
Merionethshire. — The vicinity of Barmouth seems a very favourite
locality for this fern. Before 1 was at all acquainted with ferns, T found it
in profusion on an old stone wall between Barmouth and Dolgelly, and was
struck with its similarity to, yet distinctness from, Asplenium Adiantum-
nigrum. I afterwards found it in many localities near Barmouth, particular-
ly on roclffl close to the road, on the left hand leaving the town for Dolgelly.
I also found it in two other stations in this county ; the first on some rooks
on the right hand of the road between Tan-y-bwlch and Aberglaslyn, and the
second on a rock close to Aberglaslyn. Mr. S. Thompson, guided by my
record of these localities, subsequently found half-a-dozen roots in the first
of them.
Pembrokeshire. — Mr. Lees informs me that he found it on Ramsay
Island, opposite St. David's, on rocks a little south of the only habitation
on the island.
(Oxfordshire. — Adderbury Church, according to Bobart : doubtless
an error).
Glodoestehshire. — Mr. Lees informs me that he found it on a wall at
Beechly, near the junction of the Severn and the Wye. Oldbury and
Court Woods have been published as stations ; Mr. Watson adds Pennant
Roclis, near Stapleton, on the authority of Mr. Thwaites ; and Mr. Thwaites
himself has published the following note in the ' Phytologist : ' ■ — " Mr. J.
W. Ewing, of Norwich, who resided here for some time a few years ago,
discovered the plant growing on a bank at Stapleton, about three miles from
Bristol, and pointed out the spot to me. Not paying much attention to
the ferns at that time, the circumstance escaped from my memory, until
reminded of it by a friend who was with us at the time. I have recently
revisited the spot, and again found the plant, but growing there very spar-
ingly; however, by searching very diligently, day after day, the rocks in the
233 Hudson's spleenwoet.
immediate neighbourhood, I discovered it in one or two other places, and
in one of these abundantly, covering the dry surface of a rook completely
sheltered from rain ; and, though its roots are almost exposed, and a slight
pull detaches it from the rock, it grows in the greatest luxuriance, one
frond which T gathered measuring eighteen inches in length. I have ob-
served, in all the fronds of this fern which I have gathered, that the rachis
is, throughout its entire length, furnished with linear scales, a character
which best distinguishes it in all its forms, and even in its very young state,
from Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum." — Phytol. i. 75. I am indebted to
the Botanical Society of London for a very beautiful series of specimens
collected by Mr. Thwaites in this locality; and Mr. Thwaites has most
obligingly sent me his own magnificent specimens for inspection.
Devonshiee. — The Rev. W. S. Here has obligingly sent me specimens,
accompanied by the following habitats : — Morwell Rocks, on the banks of
the Tamar ; rocks on the Tavy, opposite Virtuous Lady mine ; rooks near
Cann Quarry, on the banks of the Plym ; and upon a damp mud wall at
Buckland Monaohorum. In addition to some of these localities, Mr. Ralfs
informs me he has found it near Tavistock, and by the sea at Salcombe. I
am indebted to Miss Griffiths and Mr. Beynon for specimens from Tor-
quay, where it seems first to have been observed by Mr. Beynon in 1842,
deeply seated in the interstices of a stone wall, of loose open construction,
and having a southerly aspect, not far above high-water-mark, near the
mouth of a small brook about half a mile from the town.
Cornwall. — I am indebted to Mr. Greenwood for some fine specimens
gathered near Penzance. Mr. Ralfs informs me it is common in many
places near Penzance and St. Ives. Mr. Watson gives me the former of
these looahties. Mr. D. Peirson informs me he has found it at the Mana-
cles, the Logan Rock, &c. . and Mr. E. T. Bennett says he has found it on
St. Michael's Mount, and that it is exceedingly abundant on hedge-banks
in the neighbourhood of Penzance.
Sussex. — I am indebted to Mr. S. L. Howard for a specimen found on
the High Rocks, Tunbridge Wells, and to Mr. E. Jeuner for others from
the same station : under the guidance of the last-named gentleman, I had
the pleasure of seeing it growing here in August, 1843. Mr. Borrer and
Mr. Jenner have also observed it on rocks in Bridge Park.
Kent. — I am indebted to Mr. E. Jenner for specimens from rocks
facing the High Rocks, near Tunbridge Wells ; and, conducted by that
gentleman, I had the pleasure of seeing it still growing there in August,
1843. A stream running between the two series of rocks separates Kent
and Sussex, and the fern grows on both sides of the stream.
Channel Islands. — " The next plant to which I du-ected my attention
was Asplenium lanceolatum, as I had found more trouble in gi-owing this
plant, either in or out of a case, than with most other ferns, either British
ASPLENIUM LANCEOLATUM. 223
or foreign. This plant is far more abundant in the western than in the
eastern part of the island [Jersey] ; and, somewhat to my surprise, I found
it flourishing under very different conditions of light and moisture. Near
Grosnez, it is found growing in the crevices of the stone walls, fully exposed
to the blaze of the sun, scarcely attaining, however, the height of more
than one or two inches, and with very crisp and curled fronds. It attains
its greatest development on the top of densely shaded sandstone banks at
St. Aubin's, where its fronds are a foot in height, and the soil very dry ;
and likewise in the inside of wells, one or two of which were completely
lined witli it, where it must have been growing undisturbed for years, from
the great number of fronds springing from a single root. One specimen
that I gathered, in the inside of a well between Roselle and Boulay Bay,
had a hundred and twenty more or less perfect fronds upon it, besides por-
tions of the footstalks of sixty or seventy others. These fronds were twelve
or thirteen inches in height. In all oases the plants axe surroimded by a
mild and humid atmosphere, free from soot or dust." — Mr. Ward, in
Phytol. iv. 1090.
The radicles are black, very long, slender, and penetrating ;
in the fissures of rocks they often run to a great depth, and the
plant becomes so completely and firmly wedged that it is a task
of great difficulty to obtain a living plant from such situations.
The caudex is brown, tufted, and densely covered with bristle-
like scales ; similar scales are also scattered here and there on
the stipes. The young fronds make their appearance in May,
arrive at maturity in August, and remain uninjured throughout
the winter ; and, except in seedling plants, they are always fer-
tile. The form of the frond is various ; in some situations it
is of erect growth, nearly linear, and simply pinnate, the pinnse
being stalked and lobed : in this state seed is abundantly pro-
duced, and the masses, when full grown, are perfectly circular.
Of the three entire fronds represented in the illustration at
page 219, that to the right hand is intended for this form,
and the portions of fronds to the right and left show the situa-
tion of the veins and the mode of fructification : every part
is perfectlj' flat, and the entire frond rigid. A second form,
of pendant growth and larger size, is more lanceolate : the
pinnte are pinnate : the pinnules stalked, serrated, and some-
234 HUDSON S SPLEEN WORT.
what quadrate : the fronds often measure a foot in length, and
sometimes fifteen and even eighteen inches : they usually issue
from dark holes or crevices, or depend from the roofs of sea-
caves ; and the lower pair of pinnee are often bleached, of small
size, weak and imperfect : the surface of the frond is generally
flat : the middle frond of the three on page 219 represents this
form, and the detached pinnule immediately adjoining it shows
the veins and incipient involucres. A third form is of nearly
erect growth, but bends over at the extremity ; and the entire
frond, together with each individual pinnule, possesses such a
rigid and inflexible convexity, that it is next to impossible to
flatten it by pressure : the frond to the left on page 219 is in-
tended to represent this state, but the convexity is not ex-
pressed. The lateral veins are branched, a branch running to
the extremity of each serrature : the clusters of capsules are
attached near the extremity of the veins, and somewhat alter-
nately, one branch bearing a mass and the next being without
one : each cluster is at first elongate and linear, and covered by
a linear, white involucre ; this involucre soon disappears, and
the clusters generally become nearly circular and somewhat
crowded : they are sometimes so large and crowded when rijse
as to be quite confluent.
€ulkxt
In a common flower-pot, this fern grows most luxuriantly.
Select a small pot, in proportion to the size of the j)lant,
fill the bottom to the depth of two inches with small pieces of
charcoal ; then prepare a mixture of charcoal, in pieces not
larger than a hazel-nut, clean silver sand, fibrous peat chopped
in small pieces, sand-stone in small pieces, and light friable
loam sifted fine, so as to get rid of the pebbles which so fre-
quently occur in loam : these six ingTedients, in equal parts,
should be thoroughly mixed and passed through a coarse sieve.
Hold the fern in the middle of the pot, with the radicles spread
as widely and loosely as possible, and with an iron spoon fill in
the mixture carefuUy and equally, shaking it gently down until
the pot is full. Stand the pot in a feeder constantly full of
water, but supply no water on the fronds or the surface soil.
ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM-NIGRUM.
225
BLACK SPLEENWOET, (one-half the natural size).
Genus. — Asplenium. (See page 219).
Species. — Adiantum-nigrtjm. Stipes as long as the frond,
dark purple or black at the base : frond elongate-deltoid, pinnate :
lowest pair of pinnae always longest ; all the pinnse pinnate ;
ultimate divisions obtuse : clusters of capsules linear, approxi-
mate to the midrib.
B^mn^imts, fynm, fe.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, Linn. Sp. PI. 1541 ; Light/. Fl.
Scot. 666 ; Huds. Fl. Ang. 454 ; Bolt. Fil. Brit. 30, 1. 17, .3 ;
With. Arr. 770 ; Sm. E. F. iv. 310, E. B. 1950; Mack.
Fl. Hib. 342 ; Franc. 49 ; Newm. N. A. 27, F. 255, Phytol.
App. X. ; Hook, and Am. 573 ; Bab. 414 ; Moore, 155.
There are good figures of this fern in the ' English Botany,'
in Bolton's ' Filices,' and in many of the continental works.
Concerning its nomenclature, there appears no difference of
2 G
226
BLACK SPLEENWOBT.
opinion, the name of Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum being as-
signed to it by general consent.
It has been found in every country of Europe, in North and
South Africa, in Madeira, Teneriffe, and many other Atlantic
Islands. A species very similar to the common EngUsh form
of this plant has been discovered in the United States, but is
of such great rarity that the opportunity of forming an opinion
on the subject, from a careful comparison of a sufficient num-
ber of specimens, has not yet been afforded me. In the absence
of such materials I may cite the opinion of Dr. Torrey, who, as
Mr. Boott informs me, considers the American plant distinct as
a species : it is described by Beck under the name of Asple-
nium montanum (453), and by Michaux under that of Asple-
nium Adiantum-nigrum, (ii. 265).
In Grreat Britain, the black spleenwort is universally distri-
buted, but in some districts far more abundantly than in others :
it occurs on rocks as a native habitat, but seems gladly to avail
itself of walls, old buildings, ruins and hedge-rows ; on ruins it
is often very ornamental.
The radicles are very black and wiry : the caudex tufted,
black, and covered with setiform scales : the stipes is extremely
smooth, shining, and generally of a black or dark purple colour,
at its base are a few scattered pointed scales. The fronds sel-
dom appear before the end of May or the beginning of June ;
at first their position is nearly erect, but they soon begin to
droop, and finally become quite pendulous ; they arrive at ma-
turity in October, and continue perfectly green and vigorous
throughout the winter, until the ensuing May, or even June :
they are nearly always fertile. The form of the frond is trian-
gular, its apex being acute and attenuated : it is pinnate : the
pinnae are triangular, acutely pointed, pinnate, and alternate :
the pinnules again are alternate and triangular, and the lower
ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM-NIGEUM.
227
ones often pinnate or pinnatifid, with the lobes notched ; the
apices of the ultimate divisions are serrated. The lateral veins
in the pinnules or lobes, as the case may be, are irregularly-
alternate, and are generally forked after leaving the midveia ;
and one or both branches of this divided vein bears on the side
a line of capsules : these are at first covered by a white, linear,
narrow, scale-like involucre, also attached to the side of the
veins : the clusters of capsules, together with their involucres,
are situated rather nearer the midvein than the margin ; and
the involucres open towards the midvein. As the capsules ad-
vance towards maturity, the involucre is lifted up and pushed
away from its original situation, and finally entirely disappears ;
the clusters then become confluent, and their form is lost.
PinuEB of Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, {luitund size).
228
BLACK SPLEENWOET.
This fern varies greatly in the amount of cutting or division
of the frond ; but these discrepancies seem to be the result of
external circumstances, and not of constitutional difference. I
regret to say that I am unable to decide whether several of the
continental names refer to this species or not ; and until this
is satisfactorily settled, it seems worse than useless to intro-
duce them when there is no real necessity for their appearance.
I am indebted to Mr. Watson for the sight of a beautiful and
very large frond from Fairmile, near Cobham, in Surrey ; and
to Mr. Cheshire, for others from the vicinity of Stratford-on-
Avon. The latter gentleman has kindly supplied me with
roots, in order that I may study these forms under cultivation :
these fine plants differ from the normal form of the species
chiefly in their great luxuriance, and their consequent greater
amount of subdivision of frond.
CttltttW,
This is a very ornamental fern for rock-work and walls. It
is remarkably enduring and long-lived when in the open air in
the country, but it dwindles in a London atmosphere, and does
not like the confinement of a greenhouse, much less that of a
Wardian case : in the former I have repeatedly found it dying
without any apparent cause ; and in the latter, I have never
known it to thrive. The best mode of cultivation, where the
atmosphere is tolerably pure, is to plant it among stones on a
declivity facing the North, and also shaded by hazel-trees : the
soil is a matter of no great moment, but it may be observed, as
a rule, that light sandy soils are better than heavy clayey ones.
In a greenhouse, care should be taken to supply it constantly
but not immoderately with moisture. The caudex will survive
a good deal of drought, and a good deal of moisture ; but the
fronds are soon affected by both, but especially by the latter ;
they turn black, die, and rot, the black spots suddenly appear,
increase, and eventually cover the frond, as observed so fre-
quently in potatoes. Other ferns are subject to this decay, but
no other exhibits it so freqtiently. The soil should be chiefly
composed of sand, and small lumps of sand-stone should be
interspersed.
ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM-NIGRUM.
239
(&mmM Mm.
Its medicinal properties have been celebrated by several of
the older writers, but httle credence appears to have been given
to them by modem practitioners : the catalogue of diseases in
which it was prescribed, is summed up by Ray in the following
passage : — "In tussi, asthmate, pleuritide, ictero, obstructio-
nibus Uenis prodesse creditur : quin et ad renum et vesicae do-
lores valere, * * * calculos et arenulas expellendo :
Matthiolus ad puerorum enteroscelas pulverisatum propinat :
Hoffmannus in scorbutieis affectibus commendat." — Syn. 137.
^30 boey's spleenwort.
■t-BOEY'S SPLEENWORT.
Genus. — Asplenium. (See page 219).
Species.— AcuTUM. Stipes very much longer than the frond,
glabrous, black at the base : frond elongate -deltoid, very much
divided : ultimate divisions linear, very acute : clusters of cap-
sules linear, very narrow, crowded.
Filix minor longifolia, &c., Eay, Syn. (ed. 1), 51, 12 ; " Pluk.
Aim. 150, Mant. 78, t. 282, f. 3," Ray, Syn. (ed. 2), 127.
Asplenium acutum, " Bo7-y, in litt. " Willd. Sp. PL v. 347 ;
Sadler, Adumh. Epiph. Hung. 28 ; Spreng. Syst. Veg. iv.
pars 1, 90; Szad. A' Mag. Plant, xi. No. 9; Sadler, De
Fil. Ver. 31 ; Presl, Tent. Pterid. 107.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, |S., Sm. E. Fl. iv. 811.
Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, va7: acutum, " Bory, in litt.'"
Newm. F. 259.
? Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum, var. Virgilii, " Bory, in litt."
? Asplenium productum, Lowe.
In addition to the authors above cited, Mr. Francis, and the
learned authors of the ' British Flora,' also mention this plant,
but do not name it either as a species or variety : there seems a
probability that it is also the " A. Adiantum-nigrum, var. Vir-
gilii," of botanical coUectors ; but, if so, it is desirable to sup-
press that name in favour of the earlier one, concerning which
no doubt has hitherto been expressed. The same observation
applies to a third name, the Madeiran A. productum of Lowe.
For a careful reprint of all that has been written concerning
this fern, including the descriptions by Willdenow, Sprengel,
and Sadler, the reader is referred to No. 153 of the ' Phytolo-
gist,' (Phytol. V. 36).
ASPLENIUM ACDTUM.
331
Frond of Asplenium acutum, {natural dze).
^32 boey's spleenwokt.
This fern seems to be very abundant and very luxuriant in
the Azores, the Cape de Verde and Canary Islands : it occurs
less plentifully and less luxuriantly in Portugal, Spain, Italy,
lUyria, Istria, Croatia, Sclavonia and Hungary.
In Great Britain, it has only been recorded for three Irish
counties : — Down, on the authority of Sherard ; Kerry, on the
authority of Miss Hutchins, Dr. Taylor, Mr. W. Andrews, Dr.
Mackay, Mr. W. Wilson, Dr. Allman, and Dr. AUchin, to whom
I am indebted for fronds and a living plant ; and Cork, on the
authority of Miss Carpenter, to whom I am indebted for the
loan of a very fine frond.
'§tmi^txm,
Eadicles very strong, black, and wiry : caudex robust, its
crown composed of a mass of nearly black bristle-like scales,
which totally hide the undeveloped fronds : stipes glabrous,
very black at the base, notably longer than the frond, often
twice as long ; in the figure on the preceding page it is repre-
sented of the exact length, and is thrice bent at acute angles,
in order to accommodate the figure to the dimensions of the
page : frond very ample, elongate-triangular, the apices of the
pinnffi, as well as the apex of the frond, being excessively acu-
minate, or, as Willdenow has it, " caudatis, i. e., longissime
acuminatis ; " the effect of the figure would have been greatly
improved could the apex of the frond have been represented :
the frond, as well as its pinn£e and pinnules, are all pinnate, so
that it is one of the most divided of British ferns : the ultimate
divisions are linear, toothed, and sharp-pointed, they seem to
consist of a midvein and a narrow wing : the clusters of cap-
sules are linear ; the involucre is also linear and very distinct :
the dorsal surface is green and glabrous, and has the texture
very peculiar, having a feel like that of writing-paper.
Nothing can possibly be more remote from my purpose, or
more prejudicial to my botanical reputation, than the erection
of a casual form or variety into a species : but I hope that my
ASPLENIUM ACUTUM. 233
brother-botanists will view this question in its proper hght.
Asplenium acutum is a species, admitted to be distinct, as I
beheve, by every continental author who is acquainted with it :
it was described as distinct forty-four years ago, and no com-
petent botanist has suggested a doubt of the propriety of the
decision at which Willdenow arrived : that eminent botanist,
and, long afterwards, Sadler also, compared it with its near
ally, Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum ; they went carefully into
the evidence of its being identical with that fern, weighed
fairly and deliberately all the pros and cons of the case, and
rejected as untenable the idea of uniting the two. The next
point is that I ascertain, beyond any reasonable doubt, that this
very Asplenium exists abundantly in the South-west of Ire-
land. Having satisfied myself on this second point, I proceed
to consider whether I shall reject a species clearly and unmis-
takably characterised by Willdenow, and unhesitatingly adopted
by fifty botanists far better than myself. The onus of proving
the plant a species does not rest with me ; but the onus of
uniting it with another species, if I attempt to do so, must rest
with me. I am unable to show that acutum is a form of Adi-
antum-nigrum, produced by latitude, temperature, soil, expo-
sure, shade, altitude, or other varied conditions, because in all
its localities Adiantum-nigrum also exists in its most normal
form, and, growing side by side with acutum, remains un-
changed. I am unable to show that acutum is a monstrous or
diseased plant, because it exhibits all the symmetry and uni-
formity of parts which indicate health, vigour, and normal con-
dition. I am unable to show that the difference is simply one
of amount of cutting or subdivision, because there is also a
difference of texture always observable. I am unable to show
that acutum returns to Adiantum-nigrum under cultivation ;
on the contrary, the result of a careful examination of the indi-
vidual plant which has been supposed to establish this fact is,
that the departure from the ordinary acutum is in one direction
only, namely, in size ; and as discrepancy in size is not urged
by any author as a diagnostic between the two nearly allied
species, it is not logical to adduce uniformity in size as cotmter
evidence, and a proof of their identity. Even on this subject
a few words may be appropriate : Mr. Watson and Mr. Cheshire
have found Adiantum-nigrum so large as entirely to remove
8 H
234 boet's spleenwort.
magnitude from the list of diagnostics. For all this, I must
acknowledge that I am still unsatisfied as to the distinctness
of the two species, and adopt them., first, because dependant on
higher authority than my own : and, secondly, because no one
on the continent has ventured to call in question the propriety
of separating them.
I have scarcely any practical experience of this fern under
cultivation : its natural conditions may perhaps be best imi-
tated by covering it with glass, and thus affording it that atmo-
spheric moisture which, in the Atlantic islands and in Ireland,
tends to produce and mature such hygrophilists as Trichoma-
nes speciosum.
ASPLENIUM MAEINUM.
23l
vi'<KP=^
SEA SPLEENWORT, {the Liverpool plant, natural size).
Genus. — Asplenium. (See page 219).
Species. — Maeinum. Stipes shorter than the frond : frond
pinnate : pinn£e attached by a very narrow base, appearing as
if stalked, ovate, serrated : clusters of capsules linear, rust-
coloured, always separate.
Asplenium marinum, Linn. Sp. PI. 1540 ; Light/. Fl. Scot.
664 ; Hiicls. Fl. Ang. 453 ; Bolt. Fil. Brit. 26, t. 15 ;
With. Arr. 769 ; Sm. E. F. iv. 307, E. B. 392 ; Mack. Fl.
Hih. 341 ; Franc. 49 ; Newm. N. A. 27, F. 276, Phytol.
App. ix. ; Hook, and Am. 573 ; Bab. 414 ; Moore, 159.
Adiantum trapeziforme, Huds. Fl. Ang. 460 ; With. Bot.
Arr. Veg. 655; but certainly not oi Linn. Sp. PI. 1559, as
cited by early English autliors.
Adiantum trapeziferme. Berk. Syn. ii. 309.
There is a good figure of this fern in Bolton's ' Filices' (tab.
15), another in ' English Botany ' (392), and a third in Hook-
er's ' Flora Londinensis' (t. 60).
236
SEA SPLEENWORT.
Among botanists of the present day there is no difference of
opinion as to its nomenclature : on the continent of Europe it
is but little known to botanists, and in this country all our
authors agree in calling it Asplenium marinum. It should,
however, be remarked, that the different forms have led some
of our older authors to suppose we have two species. One of
these is the " Adiantum majus Coriandri folio, Adianto vero
afane, pediculo pallide rubente " of Sibbald (Scot. 7), and also
the " Adianto vero af&nis minor Scotica folio obtuso saturate
viridi" of the same author (Id. 8), as quoted in Eay's ' Synopsis'
(Syn. 124) ; and the Adiantum trapeziforme of Hudson (Flor.
Ang. ii. 460) and Berkenhout, (Syn. ii. 309): Withering (Arr.
Brit. PL iii. 7 69) properly referred this supposed species to
Asplenium marinum. The other plant is the " Chamaefilix
marina Anglica " of Bauhin (iii. 2, 737) and Ray (Syn. 119),
the " Filicula petrsea femina seu Chamsefilix marina Anglica "
of G-erarde (Em. 1143), and the Asplenium marinum of Hud-
son, Berkenhout, and all modern botanists.
This fern, as its name implies, is essentially a marine species,
rooting deeply in the fissures of sea-cliffs, or clothing the roof
of sea-caves, in the darkest recesses of which it seems to luxu-
riate. Its European range appears limited to the coasts of
France and Spain : from the ' Flora Eossica,' which embraces
the greater part of Europe and Asia, and a large jportion of
North America, the very name of this fern is absent. It is
very luxuriant in Madeira and Teneriffe, and, according to Sad-
ler, has been found in Northern Africa, but I have never yet
heard of its occurrence in other countries.
Its range in Great Britain is very extensive, but confined
entirely to those counties which are washed by the sea. It will
be most convenient to trace its range coastwise.
Commencing with Yoekshibe, the late Mr. Samuel Gibson informed
me that he found it sparingly on cliffs north of Scarborough.
In Durham, Mr. Watson gives me Marsden Eocks as a locaUty, on the
authority of Mr. Bowman. Mr. Winch says it is also found on rooks near
ASPLENIUM MARINUM. 237
Marsden Kocks. " Black-hall dean, west of Hartlepool : Rev. J. Dalton.
Near Southwick : Mr. Brunton." — ' Botanitit's Guide.'
Passing into Scotland, we find the following record for Berwickshire,
from the pen of Dr. Johnstone : — "Of frequent occurrence on the coast
of Berwickshire, commencing on the cliffs above the sandy beds and the
Pigeon's Cove, and reouning at intervals even unto the Cove-shore. It is
of small size when the cliffs are abrupt and exposed to the sea blasts, but
in the shelter of the coves it grows luxuriantly, and the fronds attain a
length of 12 or 18 inches. Mr. Hardy sent me the finest specimens I
have ever seen from the Eammel Cove. The fern also grows on sandstone
rocks by the Tweed, below Lady-ku'k House, a station which is about seven
miles distant from the sea." — Terra Lindisf. 249. It occurs on both sides
of the Firth of Forth, that is, in Lothian and Fife, but I am unable to dis-
tinguish in which of the counties on the southern shore of the Firth it
ought to be enumerated. In Forfarshire, the late Mr. Gardiner reports it
from " oaves and crevices of rocks, on the sea-shore about Auchmithie, Red-
head, — Messrs. Croall and Kerr. Dysart, — Mr. A. Kerr." Cove, either
in Kincardine or Aberdeenshire, is given as a locality ; but Mr. Watson
thinks that I am in error in giving Aberdeen as a county in which it oc-
curs ; (see Cyb. Brit. iii. 278). I have a number of specimens purporting
to be from " Sea caves near Aberdeen ; " but on writing to the donor, he
will not permit me to give his name in opposition to Mr. Watson's autho-
rity : this coimty therefore remains for confirmation. In the ' Flora of
Moray,' one station is given for that county. Mr. Watson has a specimen
from the eastern coast of Ross, gathered by Mr. Stables. On the western
coast I have few localities to record : it grows sparingly in the vertical fis-
sures of the columnar basalt at Staffa ; more abundantly, intermixed with
Adiantum-nigrum and Ruta-muraria, upon the ancient cathedral at lona ;
again in Mull, and also at Oban, in Argyleshire : these I give on my own
authority ; and it is cmious that the record includes every place I have vi-
sited on the Scottish coast. Mr. Watson adds Shiant (the Holy Islands),
Harris, Isla, Cantire, Arran, Ailsa, Wigton, and Kirkcudbright. At this
point we again enter England.
CuMBEHLAND. — Mr. Heysham informs me he has found it near White-
haven ; and Mr. Pinder has supplied me abundantly with beautiful speci-
mens, both from this place and St. Bees Head.
Westmoeeland. — Mr. Pinder and Mr. Hindson inform me they have
found it in this county in a sea-cave near Silverdale.
YoBKSHiBE. — The late Mr. S. Gibson informed me that it occurs very
sparingly on cliffs north of Scarborough.
Lanoashibk. — I believe Bolton first observed this fern in the Wiuwick
stone-quarry, near Warrington. Mr. Wilson informs me that it stiU grows
there, but is always of small size, and rarely produces fruit : I am indebted
238 SEA SPLEENWOBT.
to Mr. Wilson and Dr. Wood for specimens from that locality. Mr. Gib-
son found it about two miles from Liverpool, on the way to Runcorn ; Mr.
S. Thompson informs me he has found it at Knot's Hole, the Dingle ; and
adds that he is also informed, on good authority, that it grows on the red
sandstone rock in the village of Newton, on the Liverpool and Manchester
railway. Mr. Simpson has observed it abundantly upon the rocks near
Heysham, and in a cave at the head of Moreoambe Bay.
Cheshiee. — I found it on the rocks called the Red Noses, at New
Brighton ; and Mr. Wilson and Mr. Watson have subsequently given me
this as a station. Dr. Wood informs me that " on the rooks of Hilbre
Island, at the mouth of the river Dee, on the coast of Cheshire, the species
is met with in great quantities." — Phytol. i. 481.
Cakrnaevonsheie. — Mr. Pinder informs me he found it on the Eagle
Tower, in Caernarvon Castle ; and Mr. Wilson has found it at Orme's Head.
Anglesea. — We learn from Ray that it occurs upon the rocks about
Priestholm Island, and at Llandwjm ; the Rev. Hugh Davies says it is com-
mon on the rocks ; and Mr. Watson gives me the South Stack as a locality.
Merionethshiee. — I have seen specimens from near Towyn.
Caediganshtre. — In many places : I found it very iine on the castle-
rook, and on the castle- wall at Aberystwith.
Pembeokeshibe. — Mr. Kippist informs me that he observed it abun-
dantly in several places along the cliffs between Tenby and Saundersfoot ;
and Mr. Lees, that he found it in deep fissures of the trap rocks at Fish-
guard, and in caves and cavities of the old red sandstone near St. Justinian's
chapel, St. David's, opposite to Ramsay Island, on St. Catherine's Island,
Tenby, &c.
Glamoeganshire. — I learn from Mr. Dillwyn and other botanists,
that it occurs in the following localities : — Near Neath ; Mumbles light-
house ; between the Mumbles and Penyard Castle ; near Swansea ; near
Dunraven ; near Oystermouth ; on Barry Island, coast of Gower ; and
plentifully in Bacon's Hole.
SoMEESETSHiEB. — Mr. Griudon informs me that he found it in a cave
by the rocky beach near Clevedon, on the 6th of July, 1843. It formerly
grew here in great abundance, and also at Portishead. My kind friend,
Mr Thomas Clark, has given me a plant from Weston-super-Mare, in this
county ; and my friend, Mr. W. Tanner, has also given me Weston-super-
Mare as a locality.
Devonshiee.— Miss Griffiths gives me Dawlish and Ilfracombe as loca-
lities The Rev. W. S. Here informs me it is common in sea-caves ; Mr.
Ralfs has found it at Torquay and Salcombe. Mr. Beynon informs me
that it grows in cavernous fissures of the rocks m many parts of the coast
near Torquay; for instance, Liver Mead, Daddy Hole, Mead Foot, and
Hope's Nose. Mr. Sparkes observed it in a sea-cave at Babbicombe ; and
ASPLENIUM MARINDM.
239
Mr. Jordan between Dawlish and Teignmouth, and also at Dawlish, Teign-
mouth, and Exmouth. Mr. Hannaford finds it with ovate obtuse pinnae
at Goodrington and Stoke Gabriel Rooks, and with elongate acute pinnro
on Dartmouth Castle.
CoHNWALL. — In this county the sea spleenwort is abundant and luxuri-
ant. Miss Warren informs me that it grows both on the northern and
southern coasts ; and that it is particularly fine near St Ives. Mr. Ealfs
says it is fine and abundant at Mousehole. Messrs. Watson, Greenwood,
Peirson, H. Christy, &c., have given me numerous other localities, almost
comprising the entire coast. The form of the frond in Cornish specimens
is more elongate than in those from Liverpool, and the habit altogether
different.
■wtei^fc^
«»*««'
Cornish specimen of Asplenium marinum, one-eighth the natural
size, h and c. Pinnae of the same, of the natural size ; 6 showing
the hnear clusters of capsules ; c, the veins : d, a portion of the ra-
chis. e. Pinna of the Liverpool plant in a young state, showing the
veins and involucres.
DoBSETSHiRE. — " Rocks and cliffs in the Isle of Portland : Sir T. G.
CuUum. In Purbeck in various places : Pulteney." — ' Botanist's Guide.'
I have seen specimens from Lyme Regis.
Hampshiee. — " Extremely rai'e in Hants, and only known to me in the
single subjoined station, where it is both excessively sparing in quantity
and of most diminutive growth. — Amongst masses of rock above the
shore west of St. Catherine's Point, beyond Knowle, towards Blackgang,
Sept. 13, 1845 : Miss Kirkpatrick." — Dr. Bromfield in Phytol. iv. 17.
Sussex. — Ray found this fern about the Castle-rock at Hastings ; and
I am informed by Mr. Yarrell, Mr. Borrer, and Mr. Jenner, that it still
exists in the same locality.
From this locality, passing on eastward and then northward to Scarbo-
rough, I have not a single record of its occurrence.
240
SEA SPLEENWORT.
In the Channel Islands it is abundant and luxuriant. Mr. H. Dou-
bleday, in a letter written on his return from spending a few days there,
says : — " At a lovely spot on the southern coast of Guernsey, called Petit
Bot Bay, I found a large cave, from the roof of which grew thousands of
fronds of Asplenium marinum ; many of them were two feet, and one
thirty inches m length, including the naked part of the stem." Mr. G.
Wolsey also observed it during the present year growing abundantly tightly
wedged in between the stones of which the water-mills at Petit Bot Bay
are constructed : in this locality there are perhaps a hundred plants. The
Rev. Mr. Dobree informed Mr. Wolsey that it also grows abundantly in
an old well, behind the parsonage-house at Torteral, in Guernsey. Mr.
Wolsey found a few plants in the fissures of rocks on the north and east
coasts of the Island : at Creux Mahie, the station given by Mr. Babington
in his ' PrimitiaB Florae Sarnicae,' there are only a few weak plants.
In Ireland its localities are far too numerous to be particularized. In
my rambles in that beautiful country, I found it on the sea-cli£fs whenever
I reached the coast : and I beheve the Irish botanists have observed it in
every county that borders the sea. I must, however, mention one looaUty
that struck me as remarkable : I allude to the lakes of KiUarney. As you
skirt the upper lake on the way to Kenmare, there is a spot where the rock
has been blasted by gunpowder, for the purpose of making a good carriage-
way between Turk mountain on the left, and the lake on the right. On
P^^ (V this rock the sea spleenwort
>-Aih wi . _- has thoroughly estabhshed
itself : the plants are of
small size and rather re-
markable form, and they
are not to be procured with-
out considerable difiioulty,
the face of the rock being
steep, and difficult to chmb,
and the little plants are very
firmly rooted in the fissures. I succeeded after some trouble in detaching
two specimens, the largest of which is represented in the margin. I con-
fess I feel rather gratified in the belief, that while it can escape the eye of
no botanist who may chance to visit the spot after reading this notice, it
will long, by its inaccessible situation, be rescued from extermination. The
late Mr. W. Thompson, whose valuable memoranda I have so often con-
sulted while drawing up my fists of Irish localities, informed me that both
of the forms figured in this work are of frequent occurrence to the South
of Newcastle, in the county Down.
ASPLENIUM MARINUM. 241
The radicles of Asplenium marinum are black, wiry, tough,
long, and so firmly fixed in the crevices of rock, that it can-
not be eradicated without considerable trouble : the caudex is
tufted, black, and its crown covered with bristly scales : the
fronds make their appearance in June and July, ripen their
seed in October and November, and remain perfectly green
throughout the year ; in August, the fronds of two seasons are
equally vigorous, the younger ones being distinguished by their
paler colour and immature fructification. The stipes is gene-
rally scarcely a third as long as the frond : the frond is linear
and simply pinnate : the pinnae are attached by a narrow base,
their forms are various, as will be seen by the figures ; two larger
than the rest frequently appear near the apex : the pinn® are
connected by a narrow wing running along the rachis, as shown
at d, page 239. The lateral veins are forked almost immedi-
ately after leaving the midvein; the anterior branch bears a
long linear cluster of bright rust-coloured capsules ; this, when
young, is covered by a white membranous involucre, of similar
form, which always opens towards the apex of the frond.
Wmtm.
The two forms already spoken of are so intimately connected
by a series of intermediate states, that it would be confusing to
the inquirer were I to attempt to describe or distinguish them.
€nlhtt
This is a most difiicult fern to deal with in cultivation, un-
less carefully protected from exposure : it will thrive luxuri-
antly in a stove-house, with a moist heat of 70° Fahr., but dies
on rock-work, even in the purest air, if denied the advantage of
the sea-breeze ; this is the more remarkable, since at Newton,
Warrington, and Killarney, as recorded in the preceding pages,
it has voluntarily forsaken the vicinity of the sea.
243
SEA SPLEENWOET.
My kind friend, Mr, Wollaston, gives me the following direc-
tions for cultivating this fern. " The soil should he composed
of sandy loam and turfy heath-peat, with a small portion of
thoroughly rotten leaf-mould, and it must be kept in a green-
house, or in a frame, or covered by a hand-light." Mr. Wol-
laston however suggests to me that it might be planted between
pieces of stone on rock-work, with a southern aspect, and in a
very sheltered situation, protected completely from every ray of
sunshine. I find this plant invariably killed by severe frost :
I lost every plant in the frost of January, 1854.
In many of its native localities the sea spleenwort is so firmly
fixed in the fissures of the rock as not to be removed without
the greatest difficulty, and rarely without the danger of inflict-
ing some fatal injury on the caudex and radicles : in other lo-
calities it roofs the sand-stone caves, spreading its radicles like
a carpet over the soft sandy surface, and may be removed with
the greatest ease : under such circumstances its cultivation is
comparatively easy.
ASVLENIUM VIEIDE.
248
GREEN SPLEENWORT, {half the natural size).
Genus. — Asplenium. (See page 219).
Species. — Vieide. Stipes somewhat shorter than the frond,
purple at the base, otherwise green : frond very narrow, linear,
pinnate: pinnae stalked, distant, lozenge- shaped, toothed: clus-
ters of capsules linear, at last confluent, rust-coloured.
Ipwnpis, iip.m, h.
Asplenium Trichomanes ramosum, Linn. Sp. PI. 1541 ; With'.
Bot. An: Veg. 654.
Asplenium viridi, Huds. Fl. Ang. 385.
Asplenium viride, Lightf. Fl. Scot. 663 ; Huds. Fl. Ang. 453 ;
Bolt. Fil. Brit. 24, t. 14; With. Arr. 768 ; Sm. E. F. iv.
306, E. B. 2257 ; Mack. Fl. Hib. 341; Fratic. 47; Newm.
N. A. 28, F. 281 ; Hook, and Am. 573 ; Bah. 414 ;
Moore, 165.
There are good figures of this fern in ' English Botany ' (tab.
2257), and in Schkuhr, (tab. 73).
~'^'^ GREEN SPLEENWORT.
We are indebted to our countryman Hudson for fii-st describ-
ing this fern with a specific name, in the following passage : —
" Asplenium viride frondibus pinnatis : pinnis subrotundis cre-
natis basi truncatis," (Flor. Ang. ii. 453). It is described by
Llwyd as a species in Ray's ' Synopsis,' under the name of Tri-
chomanes ramosum, (Syn. 119); but Linneus, notwithstandmg
its diagnostics of green rachis and crenated pinnge are there
clearly pointed out, makes it a variety of A. Trichomanes, un-
der the name of Asplenium Trichomanes ramosum, (Sp. Plant.
1541). Hudson's name has been adopted by all subsequent
authors : in the first edition of his ' Flora Anglica,' the word
is unfortunately spelled viridi, of course a mere typographical
error.
i«0gra|l]iral f rap.
Asplenium viride is found in all the countries of Europe, but
I have not heard of its occurrgnce beyond the limits of that
continent. It is a beautiful little fern, delighting in wild hilly
countries, especially if abounding in waterfalls, and shmming
the vicinity of man. It is found chiefly in the fissures of rocks ;
when sheltered growing to a length of eight inches, but when
exposed, seldom measuring more than two. My late brother,
who, as an invalid, resided at Grasse, in the South of France,
wrote to me that it occurred plentifully near that town, growing
on hedge-banks exactly as A. Trichomanes does in this coun-
try : the sj)ecimens were correctly named, and I have received
similar information from Professor Duval-Jouve, of Grasse.
As the climate is peculiarly mild, and the altitude of Grasse
but little above the sea level, this habitat seems at first rather
abnormal : but this, as well as other facts connected with its
distribution, may perhaps lead to the conclusion that the geo-
graphical distribution of this pretty little fern is governed by
some geological rather than climatal or altitudinal law.
In the Highlancis of Scotland Aspleuium viride is a fem of common
occurrence. I should not call it an abundant fern, but it is almost impos-
sible to wander among the mountains without frequently noticing it : a few
counties are given below.
Abgyleshiee. — I observed it in several localities.
ASPLENIUM VIRIDE. 246
Dumbartonshire. — Mr. Gourlie has found it on Ben Voirlich.
Lanarkshire. — I observed it growing by the Falls of Clyde ; and Dr.
Balfour, Mr. Gourlie, and other Scotch botanists, appear to be weU ac-
quainted with this station.
Nairnshire. — Mr. Stables informs me that it is of common occurrence
in congenial situations in this county.
Perthshire. — Mr. Gourlie and several other botanists have found it
on Ben Lawers.
Rosshire. — The Rev. G. Gordon has observed it in this county.
Sdtherlandshire. — Mr. Watson has observed it in this county.
The following list of localities, confessedly very imperfect, wiU show its
range in England and Wales.
Northumberland. — Mr. Winch found it sparingly on roolts by the
Irthing, at Wardrew.
Cumberland. — Mr. Winch gives Ashness Gill, Borrow Force, and rocks
at Gillsland as localities ; at the latter station it is very abundant.
Westmoreland. — The Rev. Mr. Pinder has favoured me with speci-
mens from Hutton Roof, Farlton and Arnside. Mr. Hindson informs me
it is found on Casterton Fell ; and Mr. Watson, on the authority of Mr.
Bowman, informs me that it has been found at Mazebeck Scar.
Durham. — Mr. Watson and several other botanists have given me Fal-
con Glints as a locality.
Yorkshire. — Mr. Tatham, who informs me it is very common on the
limestone cliffs above the town of Settle, has kindly supplied me with spe-
cimens. It has also been found near Halifax, Ais-la-beok, Richmond, Gor-
dale, GUla-leys Wood, and other locahties too numerous to mention.
Lancashire. — Mr. Sidebotham informs me it grows at Dulesgate, and
it is said to have been found in the quarries at Staley, but he has not seen
it from the latter locality.
Cheshire. — " Among stones and rubbish thrown out of the quarries at
Carr Edge : Mr. Bradbury." — ' Botanist's Guide.'
Derbyshire and Staffordshire. — The Rev. Mr. Pinder informs me
that it is remarkably abundant and luxuriant in Cavedale, Castleton ; and
Dr. Wood, that it is abundant near Buxton. I am indebted to Mr. Pin-
der for a liberal supply of specimens. It also occurs in Dovedale, on both
sides of the river, therefore in Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
(Leicestershire. — "A few plants were found in the crevices of the
crags on Charley Forest, at Beacon Hill : Pulteney." — ' Botanist's Guide.'
The Rev. A. Bloxam, to whom I am indebted for a list of Leicestershire
feras, does not mention tliis species : and as I am informed that Asple-
nium Trichomanes does grow in the locality indicated, it seems possible
that an unintentional mistake has occurred).
^^^ GBEEN SPLEENWOET.
{WoHOESTEESHiEE. — On Ham Bridge : first observed there by Mr.
Stretch, of Worcester ; the station afterwards verified by Mr. Lees (Phytol.
i. 46), and Mr. Westcombe, (Id. i. 513). I had long noted Ham Bridge
as a locaHty worthy of a visit on account of its producing this fern, and re-
solved to make it an object of pilgrimage. In May, 1843, I wended my
way from Sapey brook, along the rich valley of the Teme, through meadows
clothed with luxuriant herbage, and among cattle fit for a Smithfield show.
As I approached the bridge, the red bricks of which it is buUt, and the dry
and dusty road which passed over it, seemed in no degi-ee to increase the
chance of success : yet on that bridge, facing the road-way and covered with
dust, was the identical plant I sought ; small, indeed, but the species not
to be mistaken. This station can scarcely be regarded as strictly natural).
Caernaevonshiee. — I have found it in abundance near Llyn-y-cwn.
Beecknockshiee.— Mr. Ealfs informs me that he has found it near
Brecon, on Brecon Beacon, and on Trecastle Beacon : Mr. Westcombe
gives me Chapel-y-Fin as a habitat : Mr. Lees observed it at the waterfall
of Scwyd-yr-Heuryd, near Capel Colbren, on the rocks below the fall, on
the right-hand side, where there is also a very old trunk of mountain ash
covered with a drapery of this fern.
Glamorgan shiee. — Mr. DiUwyn and Mr. Edward Young have found
it in crevices of the rooks at the upper Oilhepste waterfall, near Pont Nedd
Vecchn ; and Mr. Dill\v}Ti at Darran yr Ogof, near Ystradgunlais, (Phytol.
i. 283). Mr. Babington informs me he found it at Merthyr Tydfil.
(Sussex. — Mr. Thomas Moore has recorded the discovery of this fern at
Danny, near Brighton: (see Phytol. iv. 842, 916, 946 ; v. 50). I cannot
consider this a natural station).
(SuRBEY. — " In the deep cracks of an old brick wall at Mickleham, Sur-
rey, where I was shown upwards of twenty plants, by a gardener of that
neighbourhood, who discovered it a few months ago, and had taken away
several roots." — Mr. Borrer, in Phytol. v. 50).
(Kent. — A locaUty exactly corresponding with Mr. Borrer's Sun-ey sta-
tion appears to have been known as far back as the time of Plukenet : —
"Muris saxeis innatum conspexit D. Plukenet in horto D. Owen apud Maid-
stoniam in Agro Cautiano." — See Rail Syn. p. 119, and Pluk. Aim. p, 9).
In Ireland it appears to be much less common than in Scotland or the
North of England,
CoEK. — Dr. Taylor has found it near Bandon, in this county.
Donegal. — Mr. W. Thompson informed me it was found by Mr. E.
Murphy near Lough Eask.
Keert. — Dr. Mackay and several other botanists give Turk Mountain,
by the Lakes of Killarney, as a locality.
Sligo. — Mr. W. Thompson and several other botanists have found it on
Ben Bulben.
ASPLENIUM VIEIDE. 247
The radicles are fibrous, black, and extremely tender : the
caudex is black, scaly, and tufted : the fronds appear in May
and June, they arrive at maturity in August, and remain green
throughout the winter ; they are fertile only. The stipes is
half as long as the frond ; the basal portion is black or pur-
plish, the remainder, as well as the whole of the rachis, is of
a vivid green : the frond is narrow, long, linear, and simply
pinnate : the pinnae are not so numerous as in A. Trichomanes,
they are quadrate, but without angles, and are more or less
crenate at the margin ; they are for the most part placed alter-
nately, and are generally very distinct and distant, but I have
seen them crowded, as, for instance, in the plants from Ham
Bridge : they are attached to the rachis by their stalks only.
The lateral veins are either simple or forked ; they bear a long
linear cluster of capsules, and, when forked, the cluster is
almost invariably situated anterior to the fork : this appears to
me a very excellent diagnostic, and one by which this species
may readily be known from A. Trichomanes : some of the veias
reach the margin of the pinna. The clusters of capsules are at
first covered by a long white involucre, which soon disappears,
and they become a bright ferruginous confluent mass, occupy-
ing the middle of the pinna, and concealing the midvein : the
clusters, before their union, are usually six in number.
The outline or circumscription of frond varies but little in
this fern, but it has an extraordinary tendency to produce bifid
or double fronds : the branching sometimes takes place at about
half the length of the stipes, as represented in one of the fronds
at page 243, sometimes at the junction of the stipes and rachis,
and sometimes in the rachis itself, and at any part thereof : in
an example in my possession this forkiag is threefold, or, to
use a more technical expression, the frond is thrice dichoto-
mously divided. The character was certainly formerly consi-
dered distinctive of the species, as will be seen by a reference
248 GREEN SPLEENWORT.
to Ray, &c. I should add, that the late Mr. Samuel Gibson,
of Hebden Bridge, obliged me by the sight of specimens which
had the pinnae lanceolate and acute : he proposed to call this
form Asplenium viride, var. acutifolium.
Cttltett.
This fern is of easy culture in the open air, provided the soil
be light and the atmosphere humid. In a greenhouse it is very
uncertain, thriving well for the first or perhaps the second year,
but afterwards refusing to renovate its fronds, from some inex-
plicable cause. A compost, consisting of chips of micaceous
rocks, sand, peat, and a slight admixture of thoroughly decayed
leaf-mould, seems best adapted to its requirements : it also
needs good drainage, and likes to be covered with a bell glass.
When successfully grown it is a very pretty plant, but I regret
to say that its usual appearance is shabby and ill-conditioned.
The next species is readily cultivated on brick walls, amongst
stones, or on an ordinary rockery : it prefers a northern aspect.
ASPLENIUM TEICHOMANES.
249
MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT, {a small plant, natural size).
Genus. — Asplenium. (See page 219).
Species. — Teichomanes. Caudex tufted : stipes generally
shorter than the frond, dark purple throughout : frond pinnate :
rachis at first green, dark purple when mature : pinnae distant,
ovate, attached by a very short stalk : clusters of capsules
linear, dark brown.
^^linm^mns, fipws, fe.
Asplenium Trichomanes, Linn. Sp. PL 1540 ; Htids. Fl. Aug.
452 ; Bolt. Fil. Brit. 22, t. 15 ; With. Arr. 768 ; Sm. E.
F. iv. 305, E. B. 576 ; Mack. Fl. Hib. 341 ; Franc. 46 ;
Ncimi. N. A. 28, F. 285, Phytol. App. viii. ; Hook, and
Arn.573; Bab. -ili; Moore, 162.
Asplenium Trichomanoides, With. Bot. Arr. Veg. 653; Light/.
Fl. Scot. 662.
Asplenium anceps, Lowe.
"^•^ MAIDENHAIR SPLEEXWORT.
There are good figures of this fern in Gerarde (Em. 11-10),
Bolton (Fil. tah. 13), ' English Botany ' (576), Hooker's ' Flora
Londineusis ' (156), and in many of the continental Floras.
Concerning the name, little difference of opinion has pre-
vailed. Berkenhout (Syn. ii. 305), and one or two others, have
called it Tricliomanoides; but nearly all authors have described
it as Asplenium Trichomanes. The A. anceps of Lowe, com-
mon in the Atlantic islands, in Ireland, and the South and
West of England, differs only in size.
This beautiful little fern is found in every country of Eu-
rope, in Africa, in the Atlantic islands, where it is called Asp.
anceps, and in the United States of America, where it has been
called Asp. Tricliomanoides : but after a careful comparison I
am unable to detect any specific difference between the North-
American, Atlantic, and British plants.
This species occurs generally throughout England, Wales,
Scotland, and Ireland : it grows upon rocks, walls, churches,
ruins, bridges, on banks, and in hedge-rows. In the eastern
counties it is much less common than in the western: in Essex,
Norfolk, and Suffolk it may be considered rare, but it occurs in
all these counties. I am indebted to Mr. Gr. S. Gibson for a
specimen from Hadstock church, and to Mr. E,. Jacob for ano-
ther from Bishop's Stortford, both in Essex. At Churt, near
Godalming, in Surrey, the large form of this fern clothes the
hedge-banks in some places for more than a hundred yards,
with scarcely any admixture of other plants. In the West of
England, and especially in Wales, it is a common fern. I once
saw it in the valley of the Wye, growing in such profusion on a
little bridge near the town of Bualt, that it formed a continuous
covering of green, and presented a very beautiful appearance.
There is scarcely anything in the vegetable world more lovely
than such a scene as this ; and it is only known by those who
have tried the experiment, how readily such a scene may be
realized in a garden.
ASPLENIUM TRICHOMANES. 251
The radicles are black and wiry ; they insinuate themselves
into the fissures of rocks, previously so small as to escape ob-
servation : in old buildings, this fern certainly promotes decay,
by disintegrating the mortar, which, however enfeebled by time,
stUl adds in some degree to their strength and durability. The
fronds make their appearance in April and May, arrive at ma-
turity in August and September, and remain perfectly green
throughout the winter. The stipes is about a third as long as
the frond, smooth, shining, and, throughout its whole length,
of a purplish black colour. The frond is narrow, linear, and
simply pinnate : the rachis is green at first, but becomes dark
purple : the pinnse dark green and very numerous, irregularly
ovate, obtuse at the apex, and more or less crenate at the mar-
gin ; they are usually distinct and distant, but are sometimes
crowded and each more or less recumbent upon the one pre-
ceding it ; they are attached to the rachis by their stalk only,
and when the frond approaches decay, the pinnse fall off like
the leaves of phsenogamous plants, leaving the rachis naked ;
and these, together with the stipes, being very durable, remain
from year to year, and become a dense tuft of denuded bristles.
The pinnules vary from the size of those represented at page
249, to that of the detached ones in the same figure, intended
to illustrate the fructification. The lateral veins are forked
soon after leaving the midvein (see fig. a), the anterior branch
bearing a linear cluster of capsules almost immediately after
the division ; this cluster is at first covered by a long, linear,
white, membranous involucre, (see fig. h) ; as the cajisules
swell this becomes obliterated, and the clusters, which are dark
brown, become nearly confluent in two series (see fig. c), which,
however, very rarely unite over the midrib : the clusters are
ten or twelve in number.
This fern is, generally speaking, constant in its form, and
lather remarkable for its uniformity of appearance. I have,
252
HAIDENHAIPv SPLEENWOET.
however, received a marked variety from the late Mr. Samuel
Gibson, of Hebden Bridge. The pinnae of this variety, instead
of being nearly entire, as is usually the case, are deeply pinna-
tifid, as represented in the figure in the margin,
and the pinnules or lobes are irregularly den-
tate. The specimens sent by Mr. Gibson are
perfectly without fructification, but I do not
know whether this is to be considered a cha-
racter of the variety, or incidental only to the
fronds I have received. The right-hand figure
Mij'A^ i^ ^ fac-simile representation of one frond as
■=^^ regards form and size ; the left-hand figm-e re-
presents a portion of a frond in which the divi-
sions are still more irregular. This beautiful
variety appears to have been known to our ear-
liest botanists, two previous figures existing in
their works ; neither of them, however, repre-
sents the fronds quite so deeply divided as in
the present instance. One figure is in Pluke-
net's ' Phytographia ' (tab. 73, fig. 6), the plant
being described in that author's ' Almagestum
Botanicum ' (9) as " Adiantum maritimum, segmentis rotun-
dioribus : " it is stated, on the authority of Sherard, to have
been found in Jersey. The second figure is in plate 315 of
Tournefort's ' Institutiones Rei Herbariee ; ' it is also noticed
in Dillenius's edition of Bay's ' Synopsis,' and by Smith, in the
' English Flora,' where it constitutes the variety P. of Asple-
nium Trichomanes. The variety y. of Smith, to which that
author quotes Sir Bobert Sibbald's description, appears to have
little resemblance to the variety or even species in question, if
I may venture to judge from Sibbald's plate 3, fig. 4, to which
Smith refers ; but as to the correctness of the reference, I am
unable to speak, for Sibbald himself has, in no way that I can
discover, connected the text and the figure. Mr. Gibson's plant
was gathered at Kant Clough, four miles from Burnley, in Lan-
cashire : it was originally discovered there in 1833, and some
Xolants taken up at that date and planted in a garden at Halifax,
have been found to retain their remarkable character in culti-
vation. A very similar variety has been found in Devonshu'e
by the Rev. W. S. Hore, who has kindly sent me a specimen.
AMESn^M RUTA-MURAEIA.
35?
0,
RUE-LEAVED SPLEENWOET, {natural size).
Genus. — Amesium. Ultimate divisions without a distinct
midvein : veins of tlie ultimate divisions very few, sparingly
branched, free at the extremities : involucres narrow, linear,
frequently facing each other as in the preceding genus, but
rarely overlapping.
254
EUE-LEAVED SPLEENWOET.
Species. — Euta-muraeia. Caudex tufted: stipes longer
than frond : frond deltoid, composed of a few diamond-shaped,
stalked, leaf-like divisions : clusters of capsules linear, becom-
ing confluent and entirely covering the divisions of the frond.
$mmm, jfipm, k.
Asplenium Ruta-muraria, Linn. Sp. PI. 1541; Lightf. Fl.
Scot. 665 ; Hiuls. Fl. Ancj. 453 ; Bolt. Fil. Brit. 28, t. 16 ;
With. Arr. 769 ; Sm. E. F. iv. 309, E. B. 150 ; Franc. 45 ;
Newm. N. A. 27, F. 261; Hook. andArn.bTi; Bah.
414 ; Moore, 169, (excl. the lower right-hand figure).
Amesium Ruta-muraria, Neivm. F. 10, Phytol. App. viii.
Of the figures of this fern I cannot speak in high praise.
Concerning its nomenclature, no difference of opinion appears
to have arisen.
It is generally distributed over the continent of Europe,
preferring towns and buildings to the open country. I am
indebted to Mr. Lea for specimens from the United States.
Throughout the northern, western, and southern counties of
England, and also in Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, this fern
is to be found on almost every ruin ; but, as regards England,
far less abundantly in the eastern than in the western counties.
In a perfectly wild state, it grows abundantly on the rocky hills
in Scotland, particularly on Arthur's Seat, near Edinburgh; in
the Peak district of Derbyshire ; on Cader Idris, and Snowdon
more sparingly. It is one of those plants which, like our half-
domesticated birds, the sparrow, the swallow, and the martin,
seem to have deserted their native wilds, and to have taken up
their residence amongst the habitations of men. It is abun-
dant on ruins and old churches, and has a strong predilection
for brick walls, although Sir J. E. Smith makes Ray assert that
" it dies whenever it gets upon burnt bricks," (Eng. Flor. iv.
297). The original passage is, " Lateribus coctis immoritur,"
(Dill, in Raii Syn. 122) : Dillenius either used the verb immo-
AMESIUM RUTA-MURARIA. 255
rior as Horace does in " immoritur studiis " — " he is always at
his books ; " or he may have -written immoratur,- — " it lives" on
brick walls, thus pointing out its favourite locality. So care-
fully observant a man as DUlenius must have frequently seen
it flourishing in the crumbling mortar filling the interstices of
brick buildings : we need wander no further from London than
to the wall of Greenwich Park, to see it flourishing abundantly
upon bricks ; and nothing can be more common than to see it
on the brick walls of fruit-gardens, particularly selecting the
uppermost line of inortar, which may perhaps be protected by
a coping of brick : this is ever a favourite station for cobwebs
and wall rue.
The radicles of Asplenium Euta-muraria are wiry and black :
the caudex is black, tufted, and clothed with bristly scales : the
fronds make their appearance in May and June, arrive at matu-
rity in September, and continue perfectly green throughout the
winter, and until the ensuing May : they are always fertile.
The stipes is black or dark purple, very smooth and shining,
and generally longer than the frond. The normal form of the
frond is triangular and pinnate ; the pinnse being alternate and
also pinnate : the pinnules are of varied form, but mostly some-
what diamond-shaped ; they are stalked, and resemble so many
little leaves ; their exterior margin is generally serrated or cre-
nate. The veins radiate from the stalk to the exterior margin
of the pinnule, and to them are attached the elongate lines of
capsules, two, three, four, or even five on a pinnule : these are
at first covered by an elongate, linear, white involucre, the free
margin of which generally faces the median line of the pinnule,
and is jagged and uneven; this is soon pushed aside by the
swelUng capsules, turned back, and finally lost, the back of the
pinnule becoming eventually nearly covered by a dense, dark
brown mass of seed.
256
RUE -LEAVED SPLEEN WOBT.
s
/
\'-/
that
The fronds from which the outlines
in the margin were sketched, led me
to suppose that Asplenium germani-
cum was but a form of A. Euta-mura-
ria. Mr. Wilson tells me that this
conclusion was drawn too hastily, and
I gladly yield to so high an authority,
the more especially as Mr. Wilson's
opinion seems in unison with that ex-
pressed by nearly all the continental
// ^i^^B botanists. Truth should be the only
object of the naturalist ; and when, in
diligently seeking it with perfect sin-
gleness of purpose, his own judgment
proves an insufficient guide, it seems
but reasonable that he should avail
himself of the assistance kindly offered
him by others, whose opportunities of
observation have been more extended,
and whose abiUty to arrive at a just
conclusion is greater than his own.
The pleasure an author may be sup-
posed to feel in making the catalogue
of his country's productions as full as
possible, has also perhaps some little
weight ; but I am so fuUy aware that
this propensity becomes dangerous
when injudiciously indulged, that I en-
deavour as much as possible to resist
its influence. The question of the
exact value of diiferences has hitherto
scarcely obtained sufficiently careful
attention ; but I doubt not the time
%^ will arrive when we shall be better
informed on this important branch of
inquiry, and therefore more united on
difficult point, the determination of the limits of species.
a
r(
i
r
y
AMESIUM RUTA-JIURARIA. 2'l7
€ulkxt
The species constituting the genus Amesium are difficult
plants to cultivate : they seem to disapprove of the attentions
of the gardener, to loathe his waterings and his syringings, to
despise his composts, and utterly to eschew the confinement of
a hell glass. Out of doors, the wall rue succeeds best on a
garden- wall; in-doors, it must be kept in a well- ventilated
greenhouse, and planted in a small pot filled with broken brick
and old crumbled mortar : water should be supplied very spar-
ingly. It may be observed that the want of success which ordi-
narily accompanies the attempt to cultivate these little ferns, is
often attributable to injuries inflicted on their radicles and cau-
dices in removing them from their original localities ; gTeat
care should therefore be taken in conducting this difficult pro-
cess : if permitted, it is best to remove the bricks one at a time,
and to replace them as soon as the ferns are secured.
2l
258
WEISS SPLEENWORT.
t WEISS' SPLEENWOET.
Genus. — Amesium. (See page 253).
Species. — Geemanicum. Stipes shorter than the frond :
frond linear, pinnate : pmnte alternate, distant, of varied form,
ascending, bifid or trifid at the apex : clusters of capsules linear.
Spflttpes, |ipws, h.
Asplenium germanicum, Weiss, PI. Crypt. 299 ; Willd. Sp.
PI. V. 330 ; Hoffm. Deutschl. Fl. ii. 13 ; Ehrh. Crypt. 43 ;
Presl, Tent. Pteridng. 108; Newm. F. 265; 23a5. 414;
T Moore, 109, (excl. the figure).
Asplenium Breynii, Siu. Syn. Fil. 85 ; ? lietz, Obs. Bot.fasc.
i. 32.
Asplenium alternifolium, Wulfen, Jacq. Misc. ii. 51 ; With.
Arr. 768; Sm. E. F. iv. 309, E. B. 22yH ; Franc. 44;
Hook, and Am. 573.
Amesium germanicum, Newm. F. iQ ; Pliytol. App. vii.
AMESIUM GERMANICUM. 259
There is a beautiful figure of this fern in Jacquin's ' Miscel-
lany' (ii. tab. V. fig. 2, p. 51), accompanied by a description by
Wulfen ; those in ' English Botany ' (t. 2258) and Mr. Francis's
' Analysis ' are not so good, and that in Mr. Moore's ' Hand-
book ' appears to me to be drawn from the attenuated form of
Amesium Ruta-muraria.
Concerning the name of this fern there appears a variety of
opinions. It is the Asplenium germanicum of Weiss, published
in his ' Plantse Cryptogamicse ' (299), in 1770, and adopted by
Sprengel, Willdenow, Hoffmann, DeCandoUe and Sadler ; so
that, besides having the claim of priority, this is the current
name on the continent of Europe. It is the Asplenium alter-
nifolium of Wulfen, published in Jacquin's ' Miscellany ' in
1781, as above cited, and adopted by Roth, Withering, Smith,
Hooker, Francis and Babington. I have also been accustomed
to regard it as the Asplenium Breynii of Retz (Obs. Bot. fasc.
1, p. 32), published subsequently to 1772, and adopted by Weber
and Mohr, and Swartz. This synonyme, however, is not so
clearly ascertained as the others, and some able pteridologists
of the present day beUeve that A. Breynii is another plant.
The phalanx of botanists who regard germanicum as a spe-
cies, must constitute my defence for still retaining it in the list ;
at the same time I must, in justice to myself, state that my own
judgment would lead to a different conclusion. In the first
place, I would remark, that if a good series of fronds be ar-
ranged with a view to exhibit the tendency of Ruta-muraria to
approach germanicum, it will be impossible to point out where
one species ends and the other begins : thus the very frond se-
lected by Mr. Moore for illustrating the species, I have no
doubt would be called Ruta-muraria by nine botanists out of
ten. In the second place, germanicum has always some of the
characteristics of a monstrosity ; the interspaces of the pinnules
are of varied length, the pinnte also vary in size and figure, in-
somuch that on the same root, it is quite uncertain whether the
lowest pinna be the largest or the smallest, if the largest, the
next frond will probably have it smallest, and vice versa : its
figure is equally unstable and eccentric. Lastly, in other ferns,
even do-svn to the very exceptional cases of Cystopteris Dickie-
ana and Pseudathyrium flexile, both at present confined to one
station, we find large and flourishing colonies : now no botanist
^^^ WEISS' SPLEENWOBT.
has ever recorded the discovery of a colony of germanicum ;
such a discovery would astonish the most earnest advocate for
its specific dignity. These are points that must not be passed
lightly over : they cannot be adduced in evidence against any
other received species.
The opinion of Linneus appears to have been in favour of
combining this form with Ruta-muraria : in order to exemplify
this, I shall quote an observation by M. Jacquin, which stands
in his ' Miscellanea Austriaca,' appended to Wulfen's paper
already cited, and which is entitled " Plantse Rariores Carin-
thiacffi." Alluding to A. germanicum, there described as A.
alternifolium, he writes thus : — " Plantulam banc jam olim
crescentem inveni in Austria, circa Glocknitz, in rupibus calca-
reis, etiam mixtim cum Acrosticho septentrional!. Cum beatus
Linneus, quocum communicaverim, mordkus sitstlneret meram
esse Butce vmrarm varietatem, non ausus fui pro nova specie
proponere, et omiseram in stirpium agri Viennensis enumera-
tione." — Jacquin, Misc. ii. 61.
Those who are familiar with the plant usually called Asple-
nium Breynii on the continent, must have observed its great
similarity to septentrionale, while still retaining the chief cha-
racteristics of germanicum ; so that a complete chain of forms
appears to exists, commencing with the normal Ruta-muraria
(see page 253), and passing, by means of such plants as are re-
]Dresented in the figures at page 25 G, the true germanicum, at
page 258, and the Breynii just noticed, to the normal state of
A. septentrionale, which seems to produce abnormal fronds, as
if purposely to complete the series. If we form such a series,
where is the pteridologist who shall fix the point at which Ruta-
muraria ends and germanicum begins, or at which Breynii
ends and septentrionale begins
?
I have much pleasure in citing some remarks in opposition
to my view, from the pen of the Rev. T. Bell.
" I am aware some botanists have remarked, that attenuated
forms of Asplenium Ruta-muraria approach indefinitelj^ near
A. alternifolium. I believe the two species have occasionally
been confounded, but I always regarded this as a mistake into
which no one could fall who had perfect specimens before him,
and who was not prepared to substitute the general aspect
and habit of the plants for their specific characters. As Mr.
AJIESIUM GERMANICUM. 261
Newman, in his recent publication on ferns, has fallen into this
mistake, and conjoined the species, I think it not out of place
to communicate to the Botanical Society the following brief
observations.
" The first character is taken from the form of the frond,
which is correctly stated by Sir Wm. Hooker to be bipinnate in
A. Ruta-muraria, and, in alternifolium, pinnate, the lower pinna
ternate ; the pinnae in both being alternate. Now, so far from
its being the tendency of attenuated or contracted forms of A.
Ruta-muraria to approach the pinnate form of alternifolium,
the truth of the matter is, that the more attenuated the former
is, the more distinctly bipinnate does it become ; or, in other
words, the nearer A. Ruta-muraria approaches alternifolium in
its general aspect and habit, the further and more visibly does
it diverge in tliis character.
" The second character is taken from the indusium, with re-
gard to which it is hardly necessary to remark, that while that
of alternifolium has a smooth even edge, the edge in all varie-
ties of Ruta-muraria is invariably jagged or uneven, and this is
quite visible to the naked eye." — -Rev. T. Bell, in Trans. Bot.
Soc. Edinb. ii. 119.
Without at all attemj)ting to undervalue these observations,
I would just observe that the peculiar form of frond had been
previously well described in the Floras of France and Germany,
and the supposed distinctive character of the involucre pointed
out by Sir "W. Hooker, who says, " Involucre entire " (Brit.
Flor. 442), and by Mr. Francis, who still more explicitly ob-
serves, " Indusium entire on the margin," (Analysis, 45).
This fern appears to be nowhere common on the continent,
but it has been found here and there on rocks and walls in
Sweden, Hungary, Germany, France, and Italy. Beyond the
limits of Europe I am unable to trace its range.
It is one of the rarest — perhaps the very rarest — of our Bri-
tish ferns. Although found in Scotland, England, and Wales,
six localities only are recorded — three Scotch, two English, and
one Welch.
262 WEISS' SPLEENWOET.
FiFESHiEE. — Sir W. J. liooker informs us, on the authority of Dr.
A. Dewar, that it occurs three miles from Dunfermline.
Perthshiee. — I am indebted to Mr. Williamson, of the Royal Botanic
Garden, at Kew, for a specimen found in December, 184o, on Stenton
Rocks, near Dunkeld, in this county. The locality has previously been re-
corded, but the plant was supposed to have been extirpated for many years,
when I published the following note from Mr. G. Smyttau, of 0. C. Col-
lege, Cambridge : — " After reading your remarks on Asplenium germani-
cum, I have thought it might be interesting to you to know that I have a
specimen of this very rare plant, gathered on Stenton Rooks so lately as
last summer. After two hours' ohmbing on the bare rocks, in one of the
most burning days, I at last found the treasm-e in a fissm-e of the barest
part of the rook." — Phytol. ii. 975.
RoxBUEGHSHiRE. — It appears to have been first noticed by Mr. Dick-
son, as recorded in the ' Linnean Transactions ' (ii. 890), on " rocks in
the South of Scotland." Smith adds, " some sunny rocks about two miles
from Kelso, on the Tweed," (Eng. Bot. 3258). I do not observe a British
specimen in the Smithian herbarium, although I quite understand Smith
as saying he received it from Dickson.
NoBTHUMBEELAND. — Mr. G. R. Tate found this fern on Kyloe Crags,
in this county, in 1851 : the discovery is recorded in the ' Phytologist ' for
April, 1853. " These crags are chiefly composed of rudely columnar basalt,
resembling the trap I'ange of Salisbury Crags. Sandstone comes out from
beneath this, and at the western end forms a steep cliff. After botanizing
for a short time, I had the good fortune to find the Asplenium germanicum
growing sparingly upon the basalt. It is not a fern easily passed by : its
pale green fronds at once attracted my attention ; and a closer examination
readily enabled me to determine its species. The few specimens I observed
were remarkably luxuriant, so much so, indeed, that I counted upwards of
thu'ty fronds growing on a single root. There appeared to be no possibility
of the plants having been introduced. This Asplenium is most nearly al-
lied to A. Ruta-muraria, from which, and from other species of the genus,
it is distinguished by its alternately pinnate frond, naiTOw, wedge-shaped
pinnules, and entire involucre. Some regard Asplenium germanicum as
a variety of A. Ruta-muraria ; but, as the latter does not occur at Kyloe
Crags, or in their vicinity, the supposition is by no means probable. A.
septentrionale still exists, in considerable abundance, on the high and ex-
posed portions of the crag, as well as among the debris." — Phytol. iv. 909.
This fern is also mentioned by Dr. Johnstone, in his ' Terra Lindisfarnen-
sis,' (p. 249) ; and a reference is made to Trans. Berw. N. Club, iii. 102.
CuMBEELAND. — The first record of the occurrence of Asplenium germa-
nicum in England, is by Mr. H. E. Smith, in a note addressed to myself,
and printed in the ' Phytologist ' for January, 1848. " Asplenium germa-
AMESIUM GERMANICUJE. 203
nicum has been noticed in this neighbourhood, and, as far as I am aware,
this is the first recorded EngUsh locality. It was found in the summer of
1846 hj William Greaves and Joseph FUntoft, the latter of whom executed
the famous model of the Lake District ; it was growing in the cleft of a
rock ill the wUds of Borrowdale.'' — Phytol. iii. 11. In September, 1853,
Miss Wright rediscovered the fern, I beheve in the same station, and obli-
gingly sent me a specimen, accompanied by the following note : — "I take
the liberty of inclosing a frond of Asplenium germanicum, which I have
found, while looldng for A. septentrionale, on high rocks in Borrowdale."
— Phytol. iv. 723. Miss Wright's specimen was correctly named ; and Mr.
Borrer, writing to me under date of November 33, 1853, says: — " Miss
Wright showed me a living plant of Asplenium germanicum, and Mr. Flin-
toft some dried fronds, which they stated to be brought from different spots
in Borrowdale. Miss Wright conducted me to the rock whence she
' brought ' her plant ; but neither on that occasion, nor on previous visits,
did she find a second root."
Caebnaevonsi-iirb. — The discovery of A. germanicum in Wales was
first recorded by myself in the ' Phytologist ' for October, 1847. " Three
years have elapsed since I received an anonymous letter, beginning thus: —
' A lady who has this season visited North Wales,' &c., and then stating
that she had found Asplenium septentrionale in great abundance, and also
unmistakable specimens of Asplenium germanicum : the locality was care-
fully and obligingly given, with the view of conducting me to the spot. As
far as regards A. septentrionale, I knew the statement to be correct, and
had no reason whatever to doubt the more extraordinary fact of A. germa-
nicum having occurred in Wales, other than the feehng of uncertainty whe-
ther the nameless lady knew the plant which she so called. The matter is
now at rest. I have before me a veritable specimen of Asplenium germa-
nicum, gathered (at the very station pointed out by my anonymous corre-
spondent) by Mr. H. Wilson, and obhgingly transmitted for my inspection
by Mr. W. Wilson, of Warrington." — E. Newman, in Phytol. ii. 974.
Subsequently, Mr. WOhams, the Snowdon guide, found a root of this raiity
on Moel Lechog, a precipitous rock to the right of the Pass of Llanberis,
as you look towards Capel Cerig. This plant was transmitted to the Koyal
Botanic Garden at Kew, where I saw it some time ago, and where perhaps
it is still living.
The radicles are black and wiry : the caudex is tufted : the
stipes dark at the base, but green above : the frond is very
264 WEISS' SPLEENWOET.
narrow, linear and pinnate : the pinnse are alternate, amorphous,
distant, ascending, somewhat curved, the convexity of the cur-
vature being outwards, the concavity towards the rachis, bifid
or trifi-d at the apex, and occasionally toothed or lobed on one
or both sides : the united apical jjortion of the frond is gene-
rally larger and also more pointed than either of the pinnse, and
is also amorphous, being dissimilar in different fronds of the
same plant : the pinnte, as in the last species, are without a
midvein ; they have two, three, or four sub-parallel, longitudi-
nal veins, and on each of these is usually situated a line of cap-
sules, which, as far as I have observed, is covered by a linear,
somewhat inflated and persistent involucre, which is slightly
arched over the capsules, opens towards the median line of the
pinna, and has a sinuous and sometimes entire free margin.
ihmtm.
From the preceding observations it will, I think, be manifest
that this little fern is all variety, and has no normal form : each
plant differs from the rest, and each frond, as developed, is also
found to differ from the preceding one. It would therefore be
useless to attempt any definition of varieties.
CttltttW.
This little fern is common in cultivation, but, generally
speaking, is not long-lived. It is cultivated with more success
on the continent, especially in Germany and the South of
France, where it is sought for with avidity, owing to its high
money-value, and is freely imported by our nurserymen. My
friend, Mr. Birkett, lias a British specimen growing luxuriantly
in a Wardian case at the top of his house in "Wellington Street,
Southwark. It should be planted between fragments of free-
stone, in a soil composed of peat and thoroughly decayed vege-
table mould, the latter in small quantities. Great care should
be taken that water be supplied moderately, and none should
be allowed to stagnate about the roots.
AMESIUM SEPTENTRIONALE.
265
FORKED SPLEENWORT, {natural size).
Genus. — Amesium. (See page 253).
Species. — Septenteionale. Stipes and frond of equal
length, their separation indistinct : frond linear, narrow, gra-
dually diminishing into the stipes, sometimes forked ; apices
of divisions bifid : clusters of capsules in two, three, or four
long Imear series.
Sp0nptts, fyum, fe.
Achrostichum septentrionale, Linn. Sip. PL 1524 ; Light/. Fl.
Scot. 656 ; Huds. Fl. Ang. 450 ; Bolt. Fil. Brit. 12, t. 8;
With. Arr. 764.
Asplenium septentrionale, Sm. E. F. iv. 308, E. B. 1017 ;
Franc, ii; Newm. N. A. 27, F. 2()i) ; Hook, and Am.
572; Bab. 41; Moore, 170.
Amesium septentrionale, Neivm. F. 10 ; Phytol. App. vii.
The figures of a fern so very marked are of necessity charac-
teristic : I scarcely know one by which the species may not
instantly be known.
The specific name of septentrionale appears to have obtained
the concurrence of all botanists, but the genus has been a
2 M
266 FORKED SPLEENWORT.
matter of difficulty and doubt. We find our earliest authors
properly referring this plant to the ferns. Eay calls it " Filix
saxatilis Tragi" (Syn. 120), and Linneus (Sp. Plant. 1524), fol-
lowed by Hudson, Bolton, Berkenhout, Withering, and several
others, denominates it Acrostichum septentrionale, but Wither-
ing observes, that when young it is an Asplenium. Roth re-
moves this species, together with Amesium germanicum and A.
Euta-muraria, to the genus Scolopendrium, which also includes
Phyllitis Scolopendrium and Notolepeum Ceterach of the pre-
sent work. Euta-mtu-aria, germanicum and septentrionale form
a group very distinct from the other British species of Asple-
nium, inasmuch as their pinnules want the midvein, which is
always present in the rest.
L
Amesium septentrionale occurs most abundantly in Hungary,
some parts of Germany, and the South of France : it is also
recorded as an inhabitant of Lapland, Sweden, Denmark, Eus-
sia (both Asiatic and European), Spain, and Italy. In the
North, it seems very rare ; in the South, much more common.
I believe it has not yet been observed in America.
This is one of the rarest of our British ferns : it occurs only
in the fissures of rocks, and the interstices of stone walls ; in
the latter situation it appears to thrive more luxuriantly, pro-
bably from the frequently exposed jjosition and elevation of the
former. I think I have seen specimens from nearly all the
recorded stations, and none of them are equal in luxuriance to
those which I found by the farm-yard at Llanrwst, which, being
on the Conway, and not far from its mouth, is but slightly ele-
vated above the level of the sea. At Llanrwst, the tufts of this
fern were very large ; one of them was so heavy, that after
shaking out all the loose earth, I found it a very inconvenient
load to carry for even the single mile I had to convey it : this
tuft, consisting I suppose of a single caudex, had upwards of
three hundred perfectly vigorous fronds, besides at least an
equal number of decaying ones, the relics of previous years.
In occurs in twelve counties, — four Scotch, six English, and
two Welch. I have no record of its occurrence in Ireland.
AMESIUM SEPTENTBIONALE. 267
FoEFARSHiEE.— Mr. G. Don, (Oyb. Brit. iii. 283).
Edinbueghshiee. — Eay (Syn. 120) records that it was observed by
Thomas Willisell on the rooks in Edinburgh Park. This is certainly
identical with Arthur's Seat, a locality often recorded, and one in which the
plant stiU exists. Smith says it was also abundant at the Hermitage, by
Blackford Bum, near Edinburgh, in 1783. I am indebted to Dr. GrevUle,
Dr. Balfour, and Mr. Eay of Epping, for specimens from the vicinity of
Edinburgh.
RoxBDEGHSHiEE. — Rev. James Duncan, (Cyb. Brit. in. 283).
Peethshibe. — I am indebted to Mr. Williamson, of the Eoyal Botanic
Garden, Kew, for specimens gathered by Mr. Henderson at Stenton Rock,
near Dunkeld, in this county.
NoETHUMBBELAND. — Dr. Johnstouo says it occurs in the fissures of the
columnar cliffs of Kyloe Crags, where it was first noticed by the Rev. J.
Baird ; it is also given by the same author as from Minto Crags, in the
same county. Both these localities were previously recorded ; and I could
have wished that the learned author had verified them. It will, however,
be seen by a reference to the ' Phytologist,' that Mr. Tate saw the plant at
Kyloe in 1851 ; he says : — "A. septentrionale still exists on the high
and exposed portions of the crag, as well as among the debris.'' — Phytol.
iv. 909. Mr. Watson also gives Northumberland or North Durham, on the
authority of Mr. E. C. Atkinson and Mr. John Storey, (Cyb. Brit. iii. 283).
CuMBEBLAND. — Mr. Hoysham informs me that in 1837 and 1838 he
found this fern on Honister Crags, and on crags in the vicinity of Scaw
Fell. Hutchinson gives Patterdale and Keswick as localities. Turner
and DOlwyn, on the authority of Mr. Wood, say it has been found in a ra-
vine of the Screes, near Wastwater, about 600 feet in perpendicular height ;
and Miss Wright informs me that it occurs on rocks in Borrowdale.
Westmoeeland. — Hudson records that it has been found on moun-
tains above Ambleside, in this county.
YoEKSHiEE. — Hudson records that it has been found by Mr. Tofield on
Ingleborough ; but those able and most industrious botanists, Mr. Back-
house and Mr. Tatham, both inform me they have sought Ingleborough in
vain for this fern : they have particularly examined the grauwaoke and por-
phyritic rocks at the foot of the hill, and also the mUlstone grit at the
summit.
Someesetshiee and Devonshiee. — Mr. N. Ward found it plentifully
on loose stone walls in the parish of Culhone, about six mUes from the
boundary of the county, and at an elevation of about 1000 feet above the
sea : he has kindly contributed a hberal supply of specimens from this lo-
cality to my collection. It has also been fomid in profusion by the Rev.
W. S. Hore, on a loose stone wall, two miles north of the parish church of
Oare : perhaps this is identical_jwith the locality discovered by Mr. Ward ;
368 FOEKED SPLEENWOET.
and since the publication of these localities, Potter, a \Yell-known collector of
-British ferns, visited the district, and brought home hundreds, or perhaps
thousands of roots for sale : I saw more than a bushel of them in his pos-
session. From his description, I am led to believe the fei-n common on
the stone walls of the neighbourhood, and not confined to either county.
Caebnabvonshieb. • — Eay records that this fern was fmmd by Mr.
Llwyd on the summit of Oamedd Llewelyn, (Spi. 120). Mr. Wilson has
found it near Llyn-y-own ; and Mr. Babington on rocks near the Pass of
Llanberis. Mr. Wm. Wilhams (the Snowdon guide), and many others,
have found it in the Snowdon district, particularly on Moel Lechog, also
on rocks about Bettwys-y-Coed, on the Caernarvonshire side of the river,
and in several spots near Pont-y-Pair. I had the good fortune to discover
it in profusion on a loose stone wall, about a mile from Llanrwst, on the
Conway road ; the locality is on the left hand, looking towards Conway,
and exactly opposite a small farm-yard, certainly on the Caernarvonshire
side of the river. Several botanists have visited the place subsequently,
and taken it away in such quantities as nearly to destroy the habitat, so
nearly, indeed, that others have been unable to discover a trace of its for-
mer existence. I deeply regret the prevalence of this exterminating spirit,
for it tends to deprive the true botanist of one of his greatest pleasures, —
that of visiting rare plants in their native looahties. It however affords me
some satisfaction to know that the plant has since been observed by Mr.
Wilson on the same wall, two hundred yards nearer Conway ; and that it
grows in many other spots in the neighbourhood, especially on rocks above
this station, and extending towards Capel Cerig.
Denbighshire. — It is recorded by Kay that Dr. Richardson found it
on old walls at Llan Dethyla, about a mile from Llanrwst, towards the
North, (Syn. 130). Turner and Dillwyu place this habitat in Denbigh-
shii'e : the possibihty of its being in Caernarvonshire, and identical with the
one I have recorded as discovered by myself, has often occurred to me ; but
when in the neighbourhood I failed to find Llan Dethyla, probably tlu-ough
my inabihty to pronounce the name intelligibly.
The radicles are very long, fibrous, crooked, and intertwined,
and, together with the caudex, which is very large and tufted,
form an amazing bulk. The fronds make their appearance in
March and April, ai-rive at maturity in August, and remain
green throughout the winter : they grow in a horizontal posi-
tion, from a perpendicular surface ; the fronds represented at
AMESIUM SEPTENTRIONAIE. 269
page 265, are in their natural position : the form of the frond
is elongate, lanceolate, and furnished laterally with one or two
short bifid teeth or serratures, and the apex also terminates in
a bifid point ; it diminishes imperceptibly towards the base,
and there terminates in a smooth stipes, which is black at the
extreme base. The veins are nearly simple, and few in num-
ber, one running into each serrature : the capsules are attached
to each vein in a continuous line,
covered at first by an involucre
of similar shape, which opens to-
wards the middle of the frond,
and, as the capsules swell, is
thrown back, and finally lost, and the lower surface of the frond
then presents a continuous mass of capsules. Roth describes
the involucre as double (Flor. Germ. iii. 50) ; but this, although
certainly the case as regards the apical portion of the frond, is
not so with the basal portion. The free margin of the involu-
cre is sinuous, but not jagged.
This fern in its normal state is so very different from every
other British species, that there is not the slightest danger of
any confusion occurring in this way. On the other hand, its
similarity to the buck's-horn plantain (Plantago Coronopus) is
so great, that a superficial observer might well be excused for
mistaldng it for that plant. Although occasionally established
in lofty and exposed situations, it can scarcely be considered a
hardy species, since it is very susceptible of cold, its young
fronds being injured by a very slight frost, as noticed by Mr.
Watson.
The observations on Asplenium Breynii at page 260, apply
with equal force here. When Amesium septentrionale in
cultivation happens to be neglected, and deprived of moisture,
especially towards the end of autumn, new fronds are developed,
in which the rachis becomes more distinct, the divisions of the
frond assume the character and appearance of pinnje, and their
apices become blunter, without losing in any degree their bifid
or trifid character : the free margin of the involucre always
270
FOEKED SPLEENWORT.
remains entire, and it is therefore probable that a frond of this
kind was before the Rev. Mr. Bell, when he penned his inte-
resting paper for the ' Transactions of the Botanical Society of
Edinburgh' (ii. 119), reprinted at page 361 of this work. It
will be observed that Mr. Bell's avowed object is to establish
his fern as a species distinct from A. Euta-muraria.
fylkxt
Strictly evergreen, and very singular in appearance, this fern
is well worth the trouble of cultivation. Mr. WoUaston says
that it " not only requires very careful potting,, but extreme
care and attention afterwards ; " a remark which I find very
true. The plan recommended for Euta-muraria may be fol-
lowed also with this species, always however bearing in mind
that the loss of plants is much more difficult to repair. I pre-
pare a number of thin pieces of freestone, and having placed
them in an ordinary flower-pot in an erect position, introduce the
radicles of the fern between two of them, allowing the crown of
the caudex to stand clear above them: the pieces of stone should
then be wedged up firmly by introducing others at their sides,
and a little sifted peat earth and old mortar should be shaken
into the crevices. Water must be used very sparingly.
PHYLLITIS SCOLOPENDEIUM,
271
HART'S-TONGUE SPLEENWORT, {one-eighth the
natural size).
€\wndm.
Genus. — Phyllitis. Lateral veins twice or thrice bifurcate,
free at the extremity : capsules in linear series upon the ante-
rior and posterior branches ; on the anterior directed towards
the apex of the frond, on the posterior towards its base, always
in pairs, that is, when the anterior branch of a lateral vein bears
a line of capsules, the posterior branch of the lateral vein next
372 haet's-tongue spleexwort.
before it also bears a line of capsules corresponding in length,
and the two lines or series form a confluent mass of capsules,
covered by two involucres, which face each other, and, in an
early stage o 
