THE MOUNTAIN PARSLEY FERN. 



Pinna* alternate or sub-opposite, triangular-ovate, spreading, the lower ones largest Pinnules 

 alternate, ovate, largest on the lower side of the pimue, pinnate or pinnatifid, the pinnulcts or lobes 

 ovate or obovnto-cuueate ; the latter, or smaller ones, cut into linear acute teeth, anil the former into 

 cuncato-linear bifid lobules, having acute incurved teeth- The ultimate divisions arc, however, variable 

 in form, being sometimes oblong-oval, with sinuously shallow-toothed margins this form of develop- 

 ment apparently representing fertile fronds, whose fructiferous growth has become arrested and 

 abortive- Fertile frond* contracted, usually about one half as long as their stipes, usually tripiimnto 

 or even quadripinnate in the basal portions of the lower pitiu&\ Pinnte alternate or sub-opposite, 

 ovate, spreading, the lower ones largest. Pinnules alternate, ovate in outline, bipinnate or piuuato- 

 pinnatifid in the lower piuwe, pinnate only above. All the ultimate divisions are stalked, obtuse, 

 and linear-oblong from the involution of the margins, which arc pale-coloured, crenated, aud iiulusioul. 



Venation of the barren fronds consisting of a slender vein extending along each pinnule, and 

 casting olf a venule into each of its lobes or pinnulots, this again becoming alternately branched, so 

 that a vcinlet runs along tho centre nearly to the point of each segment ; simple where the segment 

 is undivided, and forked where it is bifid, a branch of the vein being directed towards every marginal 

 tooth. In the fertile fronds a vein enters each ultimate division, and passes in a sinuous course to its 

 apex ; this throws off alternate venules, which extend nearly to the margin, and are usually simple, 

 but sometimes forked, and bear a sorus near to their extremity. 



Fructification on the back of the frond, and usually occupying tho whole under surface. Sari small, 

 roundish, situated near the extremity of tho venules ; at first distinct though contiguous, ultimately 

 becoming laterally confluent aud forming a continuous line. No indtmum is present, but the margins 

 of the pinnulcts, somewhat pallid but not altered in texture, are incurved over the sori. Sjwre-cases 

 small, elliptie-obovate, stalked. Sjwres smooth, roundish, oblong, or bluntly triangular. 



Duration. The camlex is perennial ; the frauds arc annual, springing up in May and June, and 

 perishing in the course of the autumn. 



The Parsley Fern is readily known by its dwarf tufted parsley-like appearance, coupled with the 

 dissimilarity between its much-divided sterile ami fertile fronds, of which the former have the segments 

 broad, fiat, and leaf-like, and the latter have them involute at the margin, so that they become contracted 

 aud somewhat pod-like or siliquifomi. These features distinguish it from all other of our native Ferns. 



Few, if any, of the few species which are indigenous to Britain have given rise to such absolutely 

 conflicting opinions as to the genus to which it belongs, Linnanis, and the older botanists, referred it 

 to Osmunda and Onoclca. Of the other names which have been applied to it — all apparently under 

 the impression of its being a pteroid Fern — that of Iternhnrdi claims priority, and we adopt it with some 

 limitations, Prcsl, and subsequently Kunze, adopting Bernhardi's name, associate with this species 

 various true Pteridew with which it has no affinity, and which must consequently bo again dissociated. 

 The affinities of our plant have been well p ■ tinted out by Mr. John Smith, who considers that it is not 

 pteroid, but po1y]>odioid. It is, in fact polypodio-graininitoid. Tho sori are round or elongated, and 

 distinct, and the involution of the margin represents not an itidusium but a contraction of the frond, the 

 incurved parts being unaltered in texture, and not membranous, which they would be, if true indusia* 



This Fern is not difficult of culture under conditions which protect its fronds from tho sun, and its 

 roots and caudex from stagnant or accumulated moisture. In free well-drained soil and in a cold shady 

 frame it grows remarkably well, but should Ikj guarded against damp whilst dormant in winter* It 

 may be increased by division, but it is safer not too often to disturb a thriving plant for this purpose. 

 Recourse being consequently often had to its native haunts for a supply of plants, it may be hinted 

 thutv in tho case of this, and other Ferns which naturally occur among rocks, and are consequently 

 somewhat dillicull to remove and establish, it is far better to select the younger and smaller plants for 

 the purjK>so of removal, than the larger and older masses which tempt the collector's hand. 



