24 



ATHYRIUM FILIX-FCEMTNA. 



base and apex. Pinna? almost equal in width for two thirds of 

 their length, eventually contracting into an acuminate point. 

 Pinnules crowded, even overlapping, mostly largest next the 

 main rachis, oblong and blunt in form with rounded apices, 

 connected by a narrow wing set on at right angles, the margin 

 toothed with narrow indentations, the lobes being scarcely 

 developed. The scales at the base of the stipetes are almost 

 black. Sori lunate; they are situated as a double line near the 

 costa of the pinnules. An interesting plant, which I received 

 some years ago from Dr. Dickie, through Mr. Mackay. 



Fig. 303.— Pinna. 



CouRTAULDi^, Lowe. (Fig. 303.) — A graceful, multifid 

 variety, raised in the Fernery at Highfield House. The chief 

 peculiarities of this form are the curving downwards of all the 

 pinnae, and the exceedingly vivid green colour of the pinnules. 

 Length of frond fifteen inches, width four inches in the centre 

 of the frond, becoming narrower towards the base and apex. 

 Pinnse nearly equal in width, except a slight contraction near 

 the branching apices, distant below, crowded and overlapping 

 near the apex of the frond. Pinnules crowded, broad, blunt 

 ended, and minutely bidentate. The pinnse curve gracefully 

 downwards, and the pinnules curve upwards, making the upper 

 side of the pinnse concave. The rachis red, dilated at the 

 apex, where it becomes multifid, the crown being narrow, 

 compact, and much laciniated. 



