PKOCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 153 



will, object. If the scientific world in general, or even the majority of them, choose 

 to adopt others, I am content, provided that there be unanimity as to the names 

 chosen, and to the definitions of these names thus chosen. Thus, gen- 

 tlemen, I have ended the task proposed for myself of collecting and 

 grouping these abnormal forms ; how far I have succeeded it is not for me to 

 judge. Doubtless, improvements and alterations can be suggested, but, I doubt, 

 that many of importance, as regards these six groups, will be made. Forms may be 

 removed from groups into which they are, at present, unwillingly placed (as Am. 

 R. M., var. dissectum, which is fruitful, and evidently belongs to some form of 

 Ramosum (Cristatum) ; the forms, with confused venation, at present included under 

 Laciniatum, which, probably, belong to some form of Ramosum), into others to 

 which they should belong, but, as I stated before, I believe the types will remain 

 intact. On physiology I have scarcely touched, my sole object having been the 

 collecting and grouping of those strange and varied forms whose study is of almost 

 equal importance with that of the limitation and definition of species, since by it I 

 am convinced much light can be thrown on the other. Any further information or 

 explanation concerning this subject I have in my power, I will gladly impart to 

 those desiring it, and thankfully receive additional information, either regarding 

 the forms enumerated, or any others unknown to me at present. 



There is another large group of forms on which I have not touched — those 

 to which I gave the name of subforms on a former occasion. These I have 

 not studied sufficiently to say anything either new or practical about. Dr. 

 Kinahan illustrated these remarks by numerous specimens of the forms men- 

 tioned, and by plants of the following unrecorded forms : — Phyl. scolopendrium, 

 var. Laciniatum, apex of frond normal, basal half of frond contracted and 

 serrated unsymmetrically, fruitful, venation in apical portion of frond con- 

 fused — neighbourhood of Drogheda, County Louth, March, 1854 ; Phyl. scolo- 

 pendrium, var. Laciniatum (?), frond irregularly lobed, venation very much con- 

 fused, barren — Donnybrook, County Dublin, December, 1853 ; Am. RutaMuraria, 

 var. Laciniatum Q), fronds symmetrical, contracted, fruitful — King William's Glen, 

 County Louth, April, 1854 ; Am. Ruta Muraria, subvar. Truncatum, fronds irre- 

 gularly contracted, leaflet reduced to a mere midrib — Marlay, County Dublin, 

 1853. 



LIST OF SPECIES OF BRITISH FERNS. 



Varieties, Dissectum and Laciniatum ; and Subvarieties, Sinuatum and Truncatum. 



[Explanation of Marks. — Not recorded as Irish, thus [Woodsia]. " Marginate" 

 the Epidermis on surface of frond raised in a hem and scalloped along edge.] 



Eupteris aquilina (Newm.) ; subvar. sinuatum (Mei). England, Epping Forest 

 (Kin. 1854), in combination with multifidum (Mei). 



Var. laciniatum (Mei). 



England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq. 



Subvar. Truncatum (Mei). England, G. B. Wollaston. 



Syn. depauperata* (Wol.), often combined with multifidum. 

 Lomaria spicant (Des.); var. dissectum (Mei). Barren. 



Ireland— Glenmacnass, Co. Wicklow (Phyt. 1853, pp. 892 and 1,037). 



England — Ambleside (Francis' Synopsis) ; Tunbridge Wells, G. B. Wollaston,Esq. 



Syn. strictum (Francis) heterophyllum. 



Subvar. sinuatum (Mei). Ireland — Clare, Dublin (Phyt. ut supra). 



England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq. ; often combined with multifidum. 



Var. [Laciniatum (Mei)]. England, G. B. Wollaston, Esq. 



Syn. lancifoliumf (Wol.), marginatum J (Wol.). 



Subvar. Truncatum (Mei). Ireland — Clare and Dublin. 



England : G. B. Wollaston, Esq. 



* Depauperata, pinnae reduced to contracted rounded segments. 



t Barren fronds contracted, often lanceolate simply serrate. Fertile fronds, sometimes reduced to 

 linear spike. 

 X Marginatum (Wol.), frond marginate and serrated. 



VOL. I. }| 



