THE SCALE PERN. 



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closely-imbricated scales ; linear-lanceolate, deeply pinuatifid, often pinnate IhjIow, Lobes oblong, obtuse, 

 sessile and adnate by their whole base when distinct, more usually dilated on both sides and connected 

 at the base, margined with projecting scales of the under surface. 



Venation indistinct from the thick texture of the frond, consisting of a sinuous midvein, entering the 

 lobe from near the lower angle, and giving off, close to the base on it** anterior side, a vein which is several 

 times forked ; the rest of the veins ore alternate and two or three times forked, Ifeyond the second 

 fork the branches or venules anastomose and form two or three series of small areolcs near the margin, 

 the ultimate marginal veinlets being sometimes free, sometimes united. 



Fructification produced over the whole under surface Sort linear oblong, borne on the anterior side 

 of the anterior venules, above the first fork, except in the case of the lowest anterior vein, which is 

 frequently bisoriferous, one sorus being as usual on the anterior side of its anterior venule, the other on 

 the posterior side of ibt posterior venule ; they arc at first hidden by the dense covering of scales, 

 which eventually they burst through, fjtdttsium obsolete ; described as an erect white membranous 

 ridge. Spwfrcam roundish obovatc Spores roundish or somewhat oblong, muricatc. 



Duration. The caudcx is perennial The fronds are persistent, now ones appearing about May, 



Among British Ferns this plant is at once recognised by its tufted sinuato-pinnatifid fronds, invested 

 with a close covering of tawny scales beneath. The correct generic position of the plant is not so 

 satisfactorily or readily settled, neither the degree of relationship it bears to a larger though closely 

 analogous plant found in TcnorilVe and the Canaries. Its son are mid to have a narrow iudusium 

 behind them, and the spore-cases grow from the anterior side of the vein, and hence it has been, and 

 probably correctly, considered to belong to the Aspkni&c, with which the reticulation of ite scales is in 

 accordance. We have never found in the JSritish plant, though we believe we have in that of the 

 Canary Isles, an undoubted iudusium, but the dense clothing of scales seems a sufficient explanation of 

 the obsolete condition of this orgau ; which is probably represented by a raised line or ridge which 

 occurs l>chind the line of spore-eases. As to the distinctness of the Canary Island plant it must bo 

 admitted that it presents only differences of degree, but it is not unfrequcntly twice the length and 

 three times the breadth of the largest specimen of true C\ ojfieinarun, and even its smaller examples of 

 the same length as large English fronds are twice their breadth, and consequently of a different outline. 



If a variety only, it is a gigantic one. 



It grows with tolerable freedom in rough porous soil, which should consist of sandy loam, and 

 Should contain a considerable amount of fragments of limestone or old mortar ; and it must Iks kept 

 rather dry than otherwise, and in a well-aired place. Some of our correspondents recommend the use 

 of old cow-mnuurc, and altogether more liberal treatment, but in that case more than ordinary caution 



is necessary not to overwater it. 



This species docs not vary much except in size. There are, however, one or two forms found in 

 some situations, which may be considered as slight varieties, namely : — 



1, crentUum (M.)- This has the margins of the lobes distinctly crcnato-sinuato, and is usually larger 

 than the common form. It is met with occasionally in various localities, occurring probably under 

 certain conditions which favour luxuriant growth, and hence not constant when indifferently cultivated, 



% tnuUijidum (W.) is a non-permanent (infrequent form, differing from the normal only iu the 



divided apex of the frond. 



:i. dtpaupmUum (\\\). Of this several variations have been met with, chiefly in Ireland, where it was 



found by Dr. Allchin. The most remarkable of the forms WW found by Licut-CoL Buchanan at 



Kilkenny. The fronds are irregularly sinuato-pinnatifid, some bifurcate at the apex, some tapering to 



an acuminate point, and others cormite; the segments very much depauperated, occasionally almost 



wanting, in which case the fronds present the appearance of a sinuately winged mollis* It is probably 



constant; and is now cultivated by Mr- Wollaston. 



