BRITISH FERNS. 



57 



almost be called pinnatifid; the lobes are serrated, the teeth 

 being without spines. This character I consider of importance, 

 as removing all doubt as to this species ever sinking into a variety 

 of Lastrasa dilatata. 



The midvein of the pinnulae is waved; 

 the lateral ones are alternate, and each is 

 forked almost immediately after leaving the 

 midvein : the posterior branch is again 

 divided, and ramifies into each serrature of 

 the lobe : the anterior branch bears a cir- 

 cular mass of thecse, and these masses, ten 

 or twelve in number, are closely packed, 

 becoming completely confluent; each of 

 the masses is covered by a reniform lead- 

 coloured indusium, which is attached to the > 

 vein by a short stalk placed in the lateral 

 notch. The figure in the margin shows the 

 veins, and the points of the attachment of the thecas ; in the 

 figure at page ^^ I have shown the masses of thecae and their 

 indusia in the natural situation. 



The indusium of this fern is furnished with a fringe of 

 stalked glands, as represented at the top of the cut in the 

 preceding page. 



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