28 ATHYRIUM FILIX-rCEMINA. 



inch. Five inches from the apex the frond becomes branched, 

 and again branched, and many of the pinnae bi- or trifurcate. 

 Pinnae on basal half of frond distant, and for the first nine 

 inches resemble those of Frizelliw, then they more nearly 

 resemble Fieldice, being abruptly branched and lying along 

 the rachis wrapping over each other and hiding the rachis as 

 if tiled over, except at the base of the branching apex of 

 the frond ascend instead of descend, the pinnse being very 

 irregular in size and form. Pinnules much cut and divided 

 to the costa. I am indebted to Messrs. Ivery for the illustration. 



Fig. 309. 



Arranense, Lowe. (Fig- 309.) — A distinct broad-fronded 

 variety. Fronds two feet long, and nine to ten inches broad. 

 Pimife opposite below, and alternate above, gracefully curving, 

 approximate, equal in width, except the acuminate apex. 

 Pinnules large and blunt f)ointed, briefly stalked, and deeply 

 cut and auriculate. Sori abundant. Fronds yellowish green in 

 colour. Found in the Isle of Arran, in September, 1863, by 

 Mr, P. Neill Fraser, of Edinburgh, from whom I have received 

 fronds. 



Abruptum, 3Ioore. — Found at Port Erin, in the Isle of Man. 

 A singidar monstrosity with variable fronds. Pinnse crowded, 

 partially depauperated, pinnules oblong, unequally cut; at the 

 apices of many of the pinnae there are one or two large 

 pinnules, but the normal gradually tapering apex is wanting 

 as the apex is dilated and abrupt. Sometimes a normal frond 

 occurs. An illustration is unnecessary. 



