THE BROAD PRICKLY-TOOTIIED BUCKLER FERN'. 



having but slight inequality in the size of the pinnules; these latter are narrowly decurront on the 

 rachis, oblong obtuse, with acuminately aristate teeth. Tlic scales are dark, two-coloured, lanceolate, 

 narrower and more elongated about tho base of tho stipe*. The plant is related to coUina, and is, 

 perhaps, only a modification of it The Irish forms of this affinity are little known, and require a 

 more complete investigation than has hitherto been given to them ; and the same remark applies to the 

 Irish forms related to dumetorum. 



11. Chantcritc (M.). This elegant variety grows about two feet high, aud is of erect habit, with tho 

 pinnas twisted, so that the upper surface is directed towards the zenith. The fronds are glandular, 

 lanceolate, narrowing yet terminating abruptly at the lyase, attenuated and caudate at tho apex. The 

 lower pinna! arc very unequal-sided j tho next pair or two much less so, and those above nearly or 

 quite equal. The fronds are glandular ; the stipes abundantly scaly, with lanceolate scales, having a 

 dark-brown centre, and terminating in a long weak point Tho son are small, numerous, forming two 

 hues near the midrib, and covered by gland-fringed indusia. The largest fronds arc two feet high, 

 including a stipes of nine inches ; the lowest pinna) three and a half inches long, and an inch and a 

 half broad ; the longest, about the centre of the frond, five inches long, and an inch and a quarter 

 broad. The pinnules are separated by a space often nearly equal to their own width. 



12. dislan* <M.). This is something like the last, hut smooth, more lax in habit and tho fronds also 

 appear to attain a larger size. The outline is ovate ; tho phimc distant, and the inequality of their sides 

 not very apparent except in the lowest pair ; the pinnules wide apart, ovate oblong obtuse, tho nan-owed 

 stalk-like base somewhat decurrent the teeth acuminately-aristatc. The son arc numerous, forming 

 two lines near the midrib, the indusiuui slightly glandular. It was found at Coonibu Wood, Surrey, by 

 Mr. S. F. Gray. 



13. obtum (M.>. This fonn does not associate with any of the others we have seen. The fronds arc in 

 outline narrow ovate, with oblong obtuse shallow-lobed pinnules ; otherwise normal. We have found 

 it at Hampstead, Middlesex ; Hastings, Sussex ; Ardrishiag. Argylcsliirc ; and tho Rev. J. M. Chanter 

 has found a similar form near Ilfracombe, Devonshire. 



14. auffmta (M.). This has linear fronds about two feet high, with a long stipes, equalling the leafy 

 part in length. The pinna? are ascending, the three or four lowest pairs very unequal-sided. Tho 

 scales are lanceolate and two-coloured, otherwise tho fronds have quite the asjwct of those of 

 L. vpinulosa, iu its extreme typical state. The variety was established {Handbook of Britieh Ferns, 12J) 

 on two fronds gathered by the late Miss Bower, near Tunbridge Wells. We have subsequently seen 

 somewhat similar forms from Glen Croc, Argyllshire, and from Ilartlaiid, Devon ; at the latter place, 

 Mrs. Chanter found it in company with CfianUHa. 



15. rdjriiui (M.). In this fonn the fronds havo ascending pinme, of which tho lowest arc but little 

 shorter than several of the succeeding pairs, so that the outline is narrow, scarcely lancc-shaped ; the 

 lowest pinna: are very unequal- shied, the rest becoming gradually less so. Tho fronds arc often almost 

 tripinnate at the base, ami of a much more delicate texture than any other fonn we have scon. The 

 sori arc large and numerous, with small very evanescent indusia, having a nigged glandular margin. 

 The scales arc broad-lanceolate, pale-brown, with a dark central mark varying in intensity. This 

 variety we gathered on Ben Lawcrs, Perthshire, and we have seen no other form. correspondent with it. 

 unless a small plant with ovate fronds, found by Dr. Balfour on Ben Voirlich, and which docs not 

 well associate with any other form, is a small state of the same plant. 



lfi. gbmdidosa (Ncwm.>. A large growing erect variety, with fronds of an oblong-lanceolate outline, 

 tripinnate below, the lower pinna! broad and unequally deltoid, the upper lanceolate-ovate ; the 

 pinnules are pyrainidately-ovate acute The sori, which are copious over the whole frond, arc covered 

 by gland-fringed indusia. The scales of the stipes are ovate -lanceolate acute, pale-brown, unequally 

 marked with a darker central blotch, less spreading than in other varieties. There- are two or three 

 other large-growing glandular forms, which serve to unite this with h. dituinbi, in its ordinary state. 



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