200 



rows from end to end of the frond form a delicate lattice 

 work bearing two rows of charming tassels. Where, we 

 ask, in all vegetative nature can be found a parallel to such 

 a "sport " ? Finally, on close examination, it is seen that 

 even the smaller sub-divisions are set on in pairs in like 

 fashion, so that the pinnae are formed of tiny crosses too. 

 The spores of this variety always yield typical plants, but 

 we have never yet seen a seedling attain the full size of the 

 parent, nearly four feet. 



Other peculiar types are the Frizelliae section, crested 

 and uncrested, in which the side divisions are bunched up 

 into round knobs, giving the fronds a resemblance to a 

 string of beads. VevnonicB and conioides are examples of 

 curious makes of the pinnae, which cannot be described but 

 have no parallels. The crested or tasselled forms are 

 many, varying considerably in make and habit and rang- 

 ing from pretty little flat tassels up to ball-like dense ones, 

 where the flat frond is maintained, or running into single 

 balls of fine mossy looking growth, where the fronds 

 branch over and over again to form that effect {A. jj. 

 acvocladon and uncoglomevatum). The varieties, indeed, which 

 are good are so numerous, that space precludes description, 

 and we must refer to published catalogues. 



The plumose varieties are by many considered the finest, 

 and in these the cutting is carried even to the fifth degree 

 (quinquepinnate), imparting an extremely feathery appear- 

 ance. The wild finds are Axminstevense, Hovsfall, Wills, 

 Hodgsonae, Pounden and others, all quite distinct from each 

 other. The Axminster, however, has proved the greatest 

 prize, as a wild find, by yielding first plumosum elegans, 

 a still finer cut form, and through this the really marvellous 

 section of superbums, crested and uncrested, among which 

 are the two absolutely finest Lady Ferns extant. A. ff. 

 plumosum Dvuevy (uncrested) and A. ff. sup. pevcristatum 

 (crested to the fourth degree), while at least a dozen other 

 distinct crested and uncrested plumose forms are in the 

 same section. These varieties by themselves would suffice 



