LASTREA FILIX-MAS. 



J>53 



wardian case, and now in the possession of the Kev. Charles 

 Padley, of Bulwell Hall. It is evidently a seedling variety 

 from cristata, and therefore a form of Lastrea propinqua; it 

 however differs considerably from that variety. In the form 

 cristata the pinnae and pinnules are more or less normal, except 

 as regards the crested tips, whilst in eulophe the whole character 

 of the frond is changed, the pinnae are closer together, the 

 pinnules irregularly enlarged and deeply laciniated, giving the 

 frond a very leafy character, whilst not only are the apices of 

 the pinnae crested, but many of the pinnae are branched, some 

 near their base and others in the centre. Stipes and rachis 

 covered with rich reddish brown scales. Length of frond about 

 two feet. Pinnae opposite below, the next three pair sub- 

 opposite, the remainder being alternate, about twenty-two pairs; 

 pinnules from five to nine pairs below the forked apices, various 

 in form and size, sometimes laciniated, erose, or depauperated, 

 mostly enlarged at their apices, more or less rounded, and 

 much dentate, often bidentate. For fronds of this extremely 

 beautiful Fern my thanks are due to the Kev. Charles Padley. 

 This variety has been named eulophe from the Greek, on 

 account of the crested character of all the pinnae. 



Fig. 203.— Middle pinna. 



Propinqua, Wollaston. (Fig. J303.) — This variety, noAV 

 considered as a distinct species, is described on page 234. It 

 is not so coarse-growing as the ordinary type of Lastrea jilix- 

 mas, and although grovring to a large size, there is a smoothness 

 in the fronds which renders it distinct and easily recognised. 

 From this fern most of the finest varieties have sprung. Length 

 of frond from three to five feet. Found in the counties of 

 Westmoreland, Cumberland, Durham, Yorkshire, AVorccstershire, 



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