BRITISH FERNS. 25 



early frosts on the approach of winter. The position of the 

 frond is at first nearly horizontal, afterwards pendulous ; its 

 size varies from that of the frond represented in the figure to 

 nine inches in length, exclusive of the naked part of the rachis, 

 which is usually twice as long as that which is clothed. The 

 figure of the frond is triangular, and acute at the apex ; it is 

 pinnate, the pinnas being pinnatifid, linear, and very acute at 

 the apex ; the lower pair of pinnae are turned back from the 

 apex of the frond ; they are united to the rachis by their stalks 

 only: the remaining pinnae point forwards, and are united to 

 the rachis by their entire diameter ; the fronds, including their 

 rachis, are pale green and hirsute : they are fertile only. 



The lateral veins of the pinnulae are few in number, alternate, 

 almost invariably undivided, and extend to the margin, each 

 bearing a circular mass of thecae near its extremity; these 

 masses consequently form a submarginal series ; they are of a 

 brown colour. In one of the detached pinnules in the cut 

 will be seen the position of the veins, and the attachment of 

 the thecae ; in the other, the masses of thecae in their natural 

 situation. 



This is not only a remarkably graceful, but a peculiarly well- 

 marked fern: it is quite impossible to confound it with any 

 other species ; the long naked rachis, triangular form, marginal 

 sori, and the unusual position of the lower pair of pinnae, are 

 quite sufficient to distinguish it. 



The name of Beech Fern applied to this species seems very 

 unmeaning : I am quite at a loss to discover the reason for its 

 ever having been used. Like most of our English synonymes, it 

 conveys an impression at variance with the nature and character 

 of the plant. I only adopt it in order to avoid the responsibility 

 of adding another name. 



