THE COSnfOS HARTS-TONGUE FEUX. 



soriferous. The fronds have therefore, as it were, a double margin. In the less perfectly developed 

 condition the membrane is reduced to a longitudinal vein-like ridgo." This variety was found near 

 Ncttlecombo, in Somersetshire, by Mr. Elworthy, gardener to Sir W. C. Trcvelyan, and subsequently 

 near Sclworlhy, in the same county, by Mm Archer Thompson. It has since been gathered in Sussex, 

 by Mr. Gray and Mr. Wollaston; and still more recently in the Isle of Wight, by Mr. R, Bloxain ■ 

 in Devonshire, by the Rov. J. VL Chanter (several forms) ; and at Enya Penryn, in Cornwall, by Mr. G. 

 Dawson. A narrow form has been found near Brecon, by Mr. J. R. Cobb- There is also a plant of this 

 character, with multilid apices, in the possession of Mr. Wbllaston, which was sold to him in 1849 by 

 Totter, a well-known dealer (now dead), the history of which cannot be traced ; from this the variety 

 proh/irmn (25) has been raised, as well as plants exactly resembling the original. 



25. prolifcram <W.). This curious little monstrosity, as before stated, was raised from the spores of 

 the multilid marginatum (2J) in 1851, and the plants now in 1850 (with the exception of those that have 

 been grown iu heat), are of the most pigmy dimensions, the largest not having attained three inches in 

 length. The fronds in general outline are either small strap-shaped, truncate, calyciform, comute, or 

 subulate but all, with the exception of the last, are deeply and irregularly marginatc, almost to the 

 dividing of the frond in two. The excurreut membrane is the same as in the last described, but more 

 developed in proportion, and the upper surface of the frond is irregularly verrucosa Hitherto there 

 has never been any appearance of fructification, but in lieu thereof curious little bulbil-bearing cysts 

 have appeared on the surface of the frond, proceeding generally from those |Ktrts where the spiracles or 

 breathing tubes terminate. These form minute plants exactly the counterpart of the parents. This 

 bulbil-making process Mr. Wollastou thinks is more or less common to all, when from some unknown 

 cause the normal mode of propagation fails. This variety is becoming not uncommon. 



26.Jttnbriat#m (Allchiii). This unique variety is connected by easy stops with bimarginntum (27). It 

 bears two sorts of fronds besides the usual hooks and points peculiar to this group. The lirst are about 

 three-quarters of an inch in breadth, and from six to nine inches in length ; the margins irregularly frilled 

 twice crcnato-lobate, undulate ; the son rarely pass the excurrent membrano, which is the same as in other 

 marginatc forms. The second sort of frond is very narrow, about a quarter of an inch wide, ami from 

 nine inches to upwards of a foot in length, and more nearly resemble a winged raehis than a frond, the 

 leafy part on cither side being about the same width as the raehis itself ; the margins arc the same as 

 the others, but more minutely divided, ami the disrupted membrano recedes even to the raehis itself. 

 It is a very neat and curious variety, and was found by Di\ Allchin in Guernsey in 1849. 



27. himargimUum <W.). One of the most curious and rare varieties known. The fronds are linear 

 strap-shaped, sometimes multitid, about a quarter of an inch wide, and nearly a foot long; some also 

 are three quarters of nn inch wide, and from six to nine inches long. On the under side the excurrent 

 membrane appears as in other inarginnte foiius ; but besides this, on the upper surface of the frond, the 

 cuticle is gathered and puckered up into cavities and nodules; and some of the lower venilcto form 

 most remarkable calyciform stipitate expansions with trumpet-shaped mouths. The stipes and part of the 

 raehis arc covered with hair-like scales. It seems a very tender variety, affected by the least frost, and 

 very rarely perfects its spores. It was found near Rothorham, in Yorkshire, about five years ago, by 

 Mr. H. Hayling, under gardener to the Rev. W. Hudson, of St. Catherine's, RegentVpnrk, and was 

 exhibited at the Horticultural Society's Rooms, in Regent-street, by Mr. R. Kennedy of Covent Garden. 



28. satbrnm <W.). The fronds of this variety resemble the wider fronds of bmarginatum (27), but are 

 even much wider and longer, and the whole plant is of more vigorous growth. The face of the frond is 

 more rugose and not quite so much drawn into cavities. The margins are irregularly jagged, 

 particularly towards the apex of the fronds. Unlike the other it is abundantly fertile. It was found 

 in Ireland, in l&RI, by Dr. Allchin. and is a singular and rare variety. 



29. eonstrirtum (It). This curious form, has not been proved, hut is so remarkable as to deserve 

 recording. The fronds arc medium-sized the upper hulf broad, and scarcely differing from the normal 



