1859.] LASTREA SPINOSA AND L. MULTIFLORA. 267 



before, and which on examination proved to be the Lastrea spi- 

 nas a of Newman. I have since observed it sparingly on a shel- 

 tered bank in a moor, and I suspect that it is not uncommon in 

 similar localities, and that I have hitherto overlooked it, sup- 

 posing it to be a form of L. multiflora, Newm,, which is very com- 

 mon in this vicinity. 



The marks of distinction between the two species, as stated by 

 Newman and Babington, appear to be tolerably constant and cer- 

 tain, but I observed the involucres of L. spinosa to be slightly 

 fringed with glands in one or two instances. I also observed the 

 scales on the stem to be generally distinctly acuminate, or rather, 

 mucronato-acuminate ? which is not mentioned by Newman, 

 though well given in his figure. 



Besides the distinctive characters above referred to, the habit 

 of the two Ferns is very different. The fronds of Lastrea spinosa 

 grow nearly upright and are crowded together (a manner of 

 growth better expressed by the Latin word st rictus than by any 

 other epithet), while those of L. multiflora droop gracefully out- 

 wards in a radiate form. The two species also differ in colour, 

 L. spinosa being of a paler and yellower green than L. multiflora , 

 which is generally of a dark bluish or even blackish green, though 

 it sometimes occurs paler, especially in open ground. 



In his first edition of ' British Ferns,' Mr. Newman states that 

 "■ he has not seen L. spinosa in Scotland or Ireland,^' and that 

 '' it is seldom recognized as distinct from L. multiflora." Not 

 having seen his second or third editions, I do not know whether 

 any alteration in these statements has been made, but I quite 

 agree with him as to its being confounded with L. multiflora, 

 and probably overlooked thereby. 



Hooker and Arnott do not appear to recognize L. spinosa as a 

 distinct species at all, including it under their ' Aspidium spinu- 

 losum,' of which they make no less than four varieties. Though 

 generally agreeing with these authors in their restriction of spe- 

 cies, it seems to me that they have here erred on the side of too 

 great exclusiveness, and that there are good grounds for making 

 L. spinosa a distinct species. 



Mosshurnford, Roxlurghahire, ISth July, 1859. 



