rv 



rilK ALl'INK POMTODY. 



affinity willi the ciliated indicia of A tkyrium, but at the base and ajwx of tho frond, the more perfect 

 sori wore without trace of this indusioid growth, ami truly polypodioid. It seems to l>o a difficult 

 plant to cultivate in the climate of the south of England, languishing, probably, for the pure air and 

 cool breezes of its northern home. 



We have seldom seen cultivated plants of this species thriving with the vigour they possess in their 

 native hills, except when grown fully cxj>o&cd to the air in sheltered shady situations. When confined, 

 they often produce but puny and Ilaccid fronds. It roots however, freely in a sandy compost of loam and 

 |>oat, and with a free admission of air may be grown in situations where it is necessary to shelter plants 

 of this nature from atmospheric impurities. In all awes where a pure atmosphere is enjoyed, it will 

 no doubt be found to grow better on the open rockery, than in pote under glass ; and when, from the 

 cause just incutioncd. it is found requisite to adopt frame or house culture, the plants should be 

 provided with as airy and light (though shaded) a situation as can l>e afforded It may be increased 

 by separating the lateral crowns of the caudcx* 



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

 variable plant, but whether the variations aro such as would bo perpetuated under other conditions than 

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

 a great analog}' with those of Athyrinm Filix-f&mma ; and the most striking of them are enumerated 

 as sub-varieties below, with the object of recording, as we have done in the case of other species, 

 the most marked modi lien t ions of development to which this is subject. 



1. flexile (SI,). This has been already noticed. It is u lax narrowed form ; and bears perhaps in 

 its irregular toothing, and singular habits of fructification, some indication of being a monstrous or 

 abnormal variation, though we believe it is perfectly constant to the peculiarities above assigned to it. 

 Only found by Mr. Backhouse, but in some quantity, in Glen Proscn, Clova, Forfarshire. 



2. lanceum (SL). In this the fronds are large, stout, subtripinnate; the pinnules elongate, ovato- 

 lanceolate or sometimes sublincar, subfalcate, deeply pinnntifid, with obtuse serrated segments, the 

 lowest of which is almost separate. We have received it from Sir* G- Lawson, and Sir* Croat I, gathered 

 at the White Waterfalls and elsewhere in the Clova mountains ; Mr. Croall has also communicated the 

 same form from I-ochnagar, Aberdeenshire, 



3. tnpinrtatum (SI.)* The fronds of this form arc large, stout, tripinnato ; tho pinnules, which are 

 from an inch to an inch and a half long, arc oblong-ovate, with separate, oblong, secondary pinnules, 

 the upper of which aro united by the wing of the rachis, but the lower are separate to their base. It 

 is analogous to fine states of Athyriutn Filix-fwmina incinuitK Sir. C. Lawson gathered it at the Wells 

 of Doe, Aberdeenshire. 



The smaller and more usual — at least the mora usually collected — forms of this plant, arc analogous 

 to Athjfrium Filiz-famina rmdtc, and the other less divided states of the Lady Kern ; oven these, how- 

 ever, exhibit dillerenecs in habit, sonic being quite crcct> while others are spreading. We suspcct> also, 

 that a dwarf barren monstrous shy-growing plant found by Dr. Dickie on Ben SInc-d'hui, anil 

 hitherto referred to Alhyrium (var. jmcmormm), belongs rather to this species. 



