POLYSTICHUM ANGULARE. 



167 



Fig 145. 



CoNFLUENS, Moore. (Fig. 145.) — Found in Ireland by Mr. 

 S. Foot, of the Irish Geological Siirvey, and near Nettlecombe, in 

 Somersetshire, by Mr. Charles Elworthy. This is much dwarfer 

 than Lineare. Some authorities consider the two forms alike. 

 Mr. Moore, in his "Nature-Printed Ferns," takes the opposite 

 view; he says that Lineare is more decidedly bipinnate, some- 

 what lax in habit, the pinnules tolerably perfect in the lower 

 half of the frond, linear, and here and there strongly auricled, 

 the apex being confluent, linear, and lobate-serrate. He says 

 justly that the upper third of the frond is a representation of 

 a whole frond of Covjiaens. Cotijluens, on the contrary, is 

 symmetrical in form, but at the same time semi-depauperated. 

 Ovate-lanceolate in form, apex attenuated, the lower anterior 

 pinnules being alone developed and bij)innate (except an occa- 

 sional pinnule;) and this row of pinnules on either side, and 

 close to the rachis, gives the plant a singular appearance. The 

 other pinnules more or less linear, seven or eight pairs with a 

 confluent apex. Near the apex of the frond the pinnules are 

 entirely confluent and linear-falcate, with a bold anterior auricle 

 and a serrated margin. A variety connecting this with Lineare 

 has been found near Exeter, by Mr. J, R. Gray, and another 

 somewhat similar variety, {Lineare proliferum,^ by the Rev. C. 

 Padley, near Linton, in North Devon. Conjluens is twelve 

 inches in length, of which three inches and a half to four inches 

 is the stipes; width two inches and a half. Stipes, rachis, and 

 rachides covered with almost colourless hair-like scales. My 

 thanks are due to Mr. S. Foot, for fronds. 



