466 



" y. linearis ; barren fronds — ultimate divisions narrow-linear 

 cleft at the apex ; fertile fronds — ultimate divisions oblong." 

 Our objection to this may be stated in very few words : such forms 

 of frond as those now for the first time named commonly grow on the 

 same plant with fronds of the normal form : on this principle of 

 naming forms of leaves, how many named varieties might we not 

 make of a mulberry tree ! 



Last/tea Filix-mas. The curious form of this species figured in 

 Newman's ' British Ferns,' 197, b, is named B. incisa. 



Lastreea spinulosa. The synonyms, as well as the involucre and 

 scale (copied from Newman), are .those of one species, while the 

 frond with the densely chaffy stipes is that of another. 



Lastreea dilatata. In this species the stipes is represented as spa- 

 ringly clothed with minute scales, yet the involucre and scale (again 

 copied from Newman) are those of the densely chaffy species, which 

 Roth has called multiflora, and the description favours the idea that 

 Roth's plant is intended. In the synonymy this species is given 

 without doubt as the Aspidium dumetorum of Smith, 'English Flora,' 

 iv. 281. But although thus restricted, it is made to contain four 

 named varieties, as under : — 



" a. multijlora ; fronds ovate-lanceolate, semi-erect ; scales of 



the stem with a dark centre and diaphanous margin. 

 " B. dilatata ; fronds almost triangular, drooping, dark green ; 



scales of the stem as in «. 

 " 7. maculata ; fronds oblong-ovate ; scales of the stem of an 



uniform reddish brown colour. 

 " £ collina ; fronds narrow elongate-lanceolate ; pinnae very dis- 

 tinct ; scales of the stem as in «." 

 We must leave this " dilatata question " in the hands of our 

 readers : it appears to us rendered more obscure than ever. Can 

 Smith's dumetorum be so comprehensive ? 



Polystichum angulare has two named varieties. 

 " B. subtripinnatum ; lower pinnules deeply pinnatifid the basal 



lobe almost stalked. 

 " y. angustatum ; pinnules small, narrow, acute." 

 Cystopteris fragilis has three named varieties, of which the first 

 and last only are new. 



" a. Dickieana ; fronds ovate-lanceolate ; pinnae crowded, over- 

 lapping ; pinnules crowded, broad obtuse, very slightly 

 toothed ; sori marginal distinct. 



