CYSTOPTERIS I'llAGILIS. 421 



confined to the west and north-west. Extending to the north 

 of ScotLand, as tar as Orkney. Abroad it occurs throughout 

 Europe; also along the Ural and Altai ranges, Siberia, 

 Kamtschatka, Asia Minor, Affghanistan, Kashmir, Simla, 

 Nepal, Thibet, the Himalaya range; Abyssinia, Cape of Ciood 

 Hope, Madeira, TcnerifFe, Canaries, Azores, Greenland, Lab- 

 rador, Canada, United States, California, Mexico, Guatemala, 

 Columbia, Xalapa, Quito, Peru, Jamaica, Cuba, Bahamas, 

 New Grenada, Chili, and Tasmania. 



Cystopteris fragilis delights to occupy crevices in limestone 

 rocks that are somewhat moist, and its pretty small fragile 

 fronds are a pleasing feature in those districts in which it is 

 sufficiently abundant. In a situation that is suitable to this 

 species its spores germinate in great abundance. 



In 18G0 I found it remarkably abundant in Spain along 

 the damp rocks on the Vilia Escusa, between Reinosa and 

 Allar, whilst in the more exposed situations it was not to be 

 found; it was also abundant near Santander and Las Caldas. 

 In various parts of England it is not uncommonly so abundant 

 as to give a character to the place; thus at Matlock, in 

 Derbyshire, near Chaigeley, in Lancashire, about Bath, in tlie 

 lake district, and in numerous parts of North and South AVales 

 it lives in lovely luxuriance. 



When grown as a pot j^lant this Fern should have ample 

 drainage, and the usual proportions of turfy peat and loam, 

 with a liberal supply of sand and small lumps of limestoiie. 

 It succeeds well as a cultivated plant. 



The fronds are frequently attacked by Urcdo filicum, a yellow 

 fungus, which seriously disfigures those plants that are attacked 

 by it. 



There are some interesting varieties, namely: — 



Dentata, Hooker. (Plate LXIV. — A.) — A common widely- 

 spread form. Length six to eight inches; bipinnate or 

 sub-bijjinnate; pinnules oblong, bluntly dentate. Sori nearly 

 marginal. Fronds narrow. 



Sempervirens, Moore. — Said to have been found at Tunbridge 

 Wells, and in Devonshire. A native of Madeii-a, and perhaps 



