671 



From tbis point to the extreme margin, was a foot and a half, and this portion was two 

 feet across. The fructification formed a half-moon shaped patch, under the exterior 

 portion, that extended one foot from the margin, toward the point of the attachment, 

 and was a foot and a half across. A young, white, barren frond, almost circular, was 

 placed in front of the two older ones, to which it was closely pressed. Behind these, 

 there were several dead, spongy, old fronds, that retained much moisture, and were pe- 

 netrated by numerous spongy roots, such as were also spread behind them, on the bark 

 of the tree that supported this remarkable fern, the colour of which was bluish green, 

 covered with a whitish powder.'' — ^p. 410. 



(To be continued). 



Art. CLIX. — Varieties. 



335. Aaplenium viride and Ham Bridge. I had long noted Ham 

 Bridge as a spot worthy of a visit, on account of its producing a fern 

 alien to the whole district in which it is situated, (Phytol. 46) ; so I 

 resolved to make it an object of pilgrimage. 1 was on foot, and 

 wended my way from Sapey Brook (rendered illustrious by the disco- 

 veries of Jabez Allies, Esq.), along the rich valley of the Teme, through 

 meadows clothed with luxuriant herbage, and among cattle fatting for 

 the Smithfield show. As I approached the bridge, the red bricks of 

 which it is built, and the dry and dusty road which passed over it, 

 seemed in no degree to increase the chance of my success : yet on 

 that bridge, facing the road- way and covered with dust, was the iden- 

 tical plant I sought — small indeed, but the species not to be mista- 

 ken. The parapet wall of the bridge is unusually high, but by some 

 exertion I contrived to overcome this difficulty, and succeeded in ob- 

 taining piecemeal a good view over both the sides. The bridge ap- 

 pears to be of some antiquity, and is robed in many places with ample 

 plants of Parietaria ; in a few spots, Asplenium Trichomanes and A. 

 Ruta-muraria have established themselves. I saw two or three small 

 plants of Polypodium vulgare, and about as many of Asplenium vi- 

 ride. Having resolved not to exterminate the latter plant, and yet 

 being desirous of convincing the most sceptical of my success, I took 

 some little specimens which faced the roadway, leaving others to reward 

 the labours of future pilgrims. — Edward Newman ; Hanover St., 

 Peckham, June 4, 1843. 



336. Cystopferis montana a British Fern. This beautiful fern, 

 which seems to occur in nearly all the alpine regions of Europe, was 

 discovered by Mr. Wilson in Scotland in 1836. It has generally been 



