THE MALK FERN. 



La*tr<a rn*ht(u r being remarkable for its narrow stiff erectish fronds, ami especially for tlic unequally 

 triangular outline of a few of the lower pinnic, the lowest pair especially ; these having — as indeed the 

 whole front! has — much more the outline met with in L. spimUttQ than that which usually occurs in 

 If. Filix-intt*. The pinnules arc longish and all hut the basal ones adnate or Recurrent ; they are 

 1 nemo-serrate or lobed, ami they sometimes show the enlarged |>ostcrior basal lobe, which occurs* in 

 deottoJobato* It has been found in several jwirts of Kent, from whence we are indebted for specimens 

 to Dr. Allchin. 



11. polydactgla (M.). Tliis is a tasscllcd form of Filix-mas, rcfcrriblc to tho tnemt group. The pimue 

 are not shortened as in the variety crisUUa, nor do they narrow much until quite close to the tassel 

 which terminates each of them- Tho pinnules are incised, and the Iwvsal ones have a tendency to 

 dilatation. The apex of tho frond is more or less tufted. Hero and there a frond has its apex more 

 decidedly tasscllcd, and the pinna* themselves more normal, merely indicating a tendency to division ; 

 while occasionally a frond is produced in which the tendency to laceration both in the piuum and 

 pinnules is carried to excess, Incoming grotesque. It was found at Broinsgrove, in Worcestershire, ami 

 was communicated by B. Maund, Esq. 



12. af/fjitriaia (Bab.). This is a dwarf-growing form, seldom exceeding a foot in height^ and its young 

 fronds are glandular and fragrant. It is pinnate; the piiiusc scarcely again pinnate, the lowest 

 pinnules only being sometimes separated, the remainder always decurrcut ; the points of the pinnules 

 are turned upwards so that the upjier surface of the pinnrc is concave* The pinnules are large for the 

 size of the plant, broad, rounded at the apex, the margin unequally crcnato, or crcnatodobate, the lobes 

 having blunt obscure teeth. It is allied to the variety pumila, but differs in the larger size of its 

 pinnules, which gives it a coarser aspect, and it is not so much recurved. Tho sori are for the most part 

 uniserial on each side the midrib of the pinure; and have indusia which at least while fresh, arc 

 marginal with glands, as in jmmila. It is rare, having been found in tho Snowdon and Lake districts, 

 and at lnglel>orough and Tccsdalc, ami Wyck in Gloucestershire. 



13. pumila (M.>. This is a permanently small dwarf plant, remarkable among other characteristics, 

 for the recurving of the points of its pinna*, ami of its pinnules, which give to its upper surface a 

 concave appearance. The pinna; are Mum. rather detlexcd, and scarcely ever more than deeply 

 pinnatifid, the basal pinnules only being sometimes, but rarely, semi-detached. The pinnules or 

 segments ate small, oblong, obtuse, convex, and bear a single sorus near their base on the anterior 

 side ; the son, therefore, forming a simple scries along the pinna* on each side their rnchis or midrib. 

 It is only when the plant is very luxuriant that two or three sori arc l>orne on each of the basal 

 pinnules, but oven then not so as to disturb the general uniserial arrangement The fronds arc 

 glandular, at least when young, and fragrant. Mr. Wollnston finds it sometimes dichotomously 

 divided at the apex. It seems confined to North Wales, ami to alpine localities* 



14. subinUgra (XI.). This variety, which occurs in the late Mr. Winch's herbarium, belonging to 

 the Linuean Society, is doubtless a form closely allied to pumila aud abbreviate. As in them 

 the fronds are glandular, dwarf, and merely pinnate ; the pinme are short and very obtuse, pinnatifid 

 half way down into blunt oblong lobes (not merely sinuatcd, as Mr. Newman's figure indicates). 

 The sori are large, and form a single line on each side the midvein, about equidistant from it and 

 the margin. The frond has a very narrow lance-shaped outline. It is stated by Dr. Johnstone 

 to have been gathered, long since, in abundance hy the Rev. J. Baird, at Enuis, in the county of 

 Clare. Ireland. 



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