THE FERNY MOORLANDS. 75 



being arranged in lines at the back of the fronds. 

 The fronds of lanceolatum taper at both ends 

 towards the apex and towards the stipes, and its 

 spores, when ripe, are gathered in little round 

 clusters on the back of its fronds. The dis- 

 tinguishing characteristics of this species were 

 present in our "find." We had hunted in num- 

 berless places in South Devon for Asplenium 

 lanceolatum, and had carefully explored several 

 of its known habitats, but without ever being able 

 to find a single plant. Those who have experi- 

 enced it, know the pleasure derived by the fern- 

 hunter when, after a long search, he at length 

 lights on the rare variety for which he has been 

 seeking. 



Down the side of the Cleave towards Lustleigh ; 

 through a boulder lane huge masses of granite 

 piled up on each side, and almost hidden by ferns 

 and moss and away by hill-side meadow and 

 stream towards Totnes ! So ended our delightful 

 ramble for that day across the ferny moorlands. 



