128 



ATHYRIUM FILIX-FCEMINA. 



sub-branching in an extraordinary degree, their apices termi- 

 nating in a number of linear segments, giving a delicate 

 appearance to this conspicuous tassel. My thanks are due to 

 Mr. Elworthy, of Nettlecombe, for fronds. 



Fig. 466.— Middle pinna. 



Rh^ticum, LinncBUS. (Fig. 466.) — A narrow, erect, rigid, 

 lanceolate-fronded form, eighteen inches to four feet in length, 

 and five inches wide, with ascending, approximate, acuminate 

 pinnae; petiolate, with coarsely dentate, somewhat linear pinnules. 

 Copiously soriferous. A not uncommon form throughout Great 

 Britain and Ireland. The pinnules are narrow, owing to the 

 points of the lobes being inflected over the sori. The anterior 

 basal pinnules and anterior basal lobes are all considerably 

 longer than the rest. Pinnae distant. 





s?^ 



Fig. 467. — Middle portion. 



Apiculatum, Lijall. (Fig. 467.) — Introduced into general 

 notice by Dr. Lyall, Nevv^burgh, Fifeshire. A lovely, small, 

 fragile, bended-fronded Fern. Length of frond nine inches, 

 width three inches. Pinnae narrow and caudate. Pinnules 

 small and ovate oblong. The apex of the frond very slender, 

 and two or three times finely forked. The illustration is from 

 Messrs. Stansfield. 



