61 



3. lobatum. Fronds strap-shaped below, dilated at the upper 

 part and divided there into two or more acute lobes. Moore, Handb. 

 175, fig. /3, 178. 



When the midrib divides only once, it is the variety furcatum. 

 The lobes are generally flat, and fertile like the lower part of the 

 frond. In some instances the primary division of the rachis occurs 

 in that part which may be regarded as the petiole. This constitutes 

 the variety ramosum, of which however a correspondent form is met 

 with in the next. 



4. multifidum. Fronds strap-shaped below, dilated above, repeat- 

 edly divided toward the extremity ; the lobes more or less obtuse, 

 undulated, crowded. Moore, Handb. 175. Phyllitis multifida, 

 Ray. 



This is a very beautiful variety when grown luxuriantly, but is 

 liable to pass into the preceding form in dry seasons and situations. 

 The lower part of the frond is fertile, the undulated terminal lobes 

 barren. 



5. lacer atum. Fronds broad, the margins deeply and irregularly 

 inciso-lobate, or pinnatifid. Moore, Handb. 175. 



This remarkable variety was found by Mr. Young of Taunton, 

 on a wall in that neighbourhood, and he has kindly favoured me 

 with original specimens of it and of another, which he has named 

 endivaefolium, obtained by sowing its spores ; the latter chiefly dif- 

 fering in having the fronds broader, more deeply divided, and the 

 lateral lobes lacerated and toothed at the extremity, while the broad 

 apex is repeatedly divided like that of multifidum, which it resem- 

 bles in having the terminal divisions barren, while the rest of the 

 frond bears sori abundantly. The leading character in these two 

 varieties seems to consist in the deep incision and lobing of the 

 lateral margins, and in the greater comparative breadth of the 

 frond, which is sometimes almost as broad as it is long. I include 

 them under the same general denomination, because the distin- 

 guishing features of the so-called endivcefolium do not appear to me 

 to be permanent ; such at least was the case this year in the grow- 

 ing specimens at Kew, originally forwarded by Mr. Young, in 

 which the two extreme forms and several intermediate ones were 

 developed from the same root. 



The broad bright-coloured patches formed by this fern and its 

 varieties render it highly ornamental in contrast with our other 

 native species in cultivation, and its evergreen habit is an especial 

 recommendation to abundant plantation out of doors, as well as in 

 pots among the less hardy exotics of the greenhouse. Though 

 not absolutely requiring the same degree of shelter that is neces- 

 sary to the preservation of many ferns, the Hart's-tongue may be 

 regarded as a free-growing plant : it can only be obtained in its 

 more luxuriant and ornamental condition by keeping it shaded 



