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streamlet running along it, which in that country are distinguished by 

 the peculiar name of " bottoms." Again, in the North of Devon T met 

 with L. recurva but in three spots, though I kept a sharp look-out for 

 it. In one station near Ilfracorabe, and a second near Barnstaple, it 

 occupied a considerable space, forming quite a bed, upon the sloping 

 bank of a wood immediately overhanging running water, and almost 

 dipping its fronds in the stream. The third station (near Tlfracombe) 

 was in a drier and more elevated situation among rocks ; but here it 

 grew very sparingly, not more than two or three plants. Then as to 

 size, I can assure Mr. White that I have gathered specimens of L. 

 recurva in a Cornish " bottom," the fronds of which might almost vie 

 with those of multiflora. But these, I admit, are exceptions to the 

 rule — Cornish giants perhaps we might call them. 1 have now before 

 me specimens collected near Penzance, which measure rather more 

 than twenty-four inches from the crown to the apex; and I have fre- 

 quently met with fronds of still larger dimensions. 1 have alluded to 

 the peculiar crisped appearance of the fronds as a striking character 

 of this fern; one might fancy it had just come fi-om under the hands 

 of the barber; nevertheless I have occasionally met with specimens, 

 influenced perhaps by diflference of soil, or by degree of shade or 

 moisture, or what not, in which this peculiar character was entirely 

 absent ; and yet, as Mr. Hore says, " a single glance would reveal 

 the truth," for there was a something about the plant which, to t?ii/ 

 eye, proclaimed it to be recurva still, and nothing else. The habit of 

 L. recurva is not erect like that of spinosa, the fronds being disposed 

 to trail or arch. The lower pair of pinnae are much larger in propor- 

 tion to the others, than are the corresponding pair in multiflora or spi- 

 nosa ; and the fronds are more persistent even than those of either of 

 the two, retaining their verdure throughout the year. T have two large 

 pots of L. recurva in the greenhouse, and several plants in the open 

 ground, the fronds of which are now (April 11) as fresh and green as 

 they were last summer; and they usually remain so, till I cut them 

 off" to make room for their successors. 



In conclusion I would observe, that I have no object whatever in 

 making these remarks, beyond that of stating what I believe to be the 

 truth. Having been acquainted (and, I may say, kept up an inti- 

 macy) with L. recurva now for just thirty-six years and a half, and 

 having paid much attention to it in its native localities, both in Ire- 

 land, Cornwall, and North Devon, cultivating it all the while (for it 

 has ever been a favourite with me), I find that throughout that period 

 it has preserved its characters to a nicety. And I cannot help feeling 



