LASTREA FILIX-MAS. 



237 



in a fernery, with its many broad tosseled fronds. ISIr. Swynfen 

 Jervis (the discoverer) has a beautiful plant in his charming 

 fernery at Darlaston Hall, and to him my thanks are due for 

 plants and fronds. 





^ 







Fig. 18G. 



Abbreviata, Babington and Moore, fLastrea j)^<^^^^o-mas , 

 AVollaston.) (Fig. 186.) — This interesting variety is peculiarly 

 distinct from Lastrea JiUx-mas, and Mr. AYollaston proposes to 

 place it as a distinct species under the name of Lastrea pseudo- 

 mas. The pinnules have a curled character strikingly different 

 to the flat pinnules of Lastrea Jilix-nias, whilst the usual solitary 

 spore-case on each pinnule of Lastrea pseudo-mas is equally a 

 marked contrast to the six or eight spore-cases on each pinnule 

 of Lastrea Jilix-mas. I have always been struck with the 

 distinct character of this Fern, but never more so than when 

 on a botanical tour in the county of Durham last autumn. 

 This Fern is common along the banks of the Tees, above High 

 Force (a stupendous waterfall about four miles above Middleton,) 

 where the whole of the river Tees falls throuerh a crevice in 



O 



the rocks perpendicularly down seventy feet, with a roar that 

 can be heard at a great distance; and occasional plants occur 

 here and there along Widdicomb Moor and Cronkley Fell, 

 becoming more abundant as we approached Cauldron Snout 

 from the Glints, being in great abundance amongst the rocks 

 and heather from the upper portion of this very lengthy and 



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