CHAPTER VII 



THE ANNUAL MAIDENHAIR. 

 Gymnogramma leptophylla. 



OOME general resemblance to the Maidenhair 

 K ^ in the arrangement of frond and leaflet, has 

 entitled the Slender Gymnogram to the name of 

 " The Annual Maidenhair." But this very pretty 

 plant is distinguished from all our British ferns by 

 the short period of its existence springing up and 

 dying within the year. A tiny thing it is, only 

 three or four inches in length, its fronds rising from 

 a tufted root-stock, which are of a brownish colour, 

 and smooth. The fronds on the same plant are 

 graduated in length, preserving no regular shape ; 

 those at first starting from the root being shorter 

 and less prolific than those which succeed. 

 They are somewhat irregularly divided into 



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