40 FERNS OF WHEATHAMSTEAD, [February, 



be classed as a ' tree.' The Khardal grows abundantly in Syria ; 

 it was found in Egypt by Sir Gardiner Wilkinson ; in Arabia by 

 Bove ; on the Indus by Sir Alexander Burns ; and throughout 

 the north-west of India it bears the name of Kharjal. Combi- 

 ning all these facts^ Dr. Eoyle^ in an erudite paper^ has shown 

 demonstrative reasons for believing that the Salvadora Persica, 

 the Kharjal of Hindostan, is the Khurdal of Arabia^ the Chardal 

 of the Talmud^ and the ' Mustard-tree ' of the parable." 



Sir James adds further, that in Ceylon it attains a height of 

 forty feet. 



A LIST OF THE FEENS OF THE NEIGHBOUEHOOD OF 

 WHEATHAMSTEAD, HEETFOEDSHIEE. 



By E. Edwards. 



Blechnum Spicant. Beech Bottom, Sandbridge; rare. 



Pteris aguilina. Generally distributed. 



Polypodium vulgare. Generally distributed. Var. acutmn and 

 serratum very fine near Brockett. 



Polystichum lobatum and aculeatum. Hedge-banks; sparingly. 



Polystichum angulare. Very fine and abundant in many places, 

 but never, or very rarely, growing near or intermixed with 

 the preceding. At the junction of the parishes of Wheat- 

 hamstead and Sandbridge, in the DeviFs Dike (an earthwork 

 probably of the contests before the Norman conquest), it 

 occurs in boundless profusion. — Surely this may always be 

 distinguished from its congeners, although late in the year, 

 and in winter, a few of the most mature fronds may seem 

 to put on some of the appearances of P. aculeatum. 



Lophodium multiflorum. A very scarce Fern hereabouts. The 

 only examples I have met with occurred on hassocks of 

 Carex cc&spitosa, at the margin of the Lea river. 



Lophodium spinulosum. DowdelFs Wood ; rare. 



Lastrea Filix-mas : a, affinis ; and b, Borreri. Plentiful in woods 

 and lanes ; c, abbreviatum ?, more rare. 



Athyrium Filix-fmmina : a, convexum ; b, incisum ; and c, molle. 

 I believe that each of these (species?) may be detected in 

 DowdelFs Wood. 



Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum. In a few places. 



Asplenium Trichomanes. Sandbridge, Little Ayot. 



