50 PTERIS. 



which become more and more compound 

 downwards, until at last running into ex- 

 tended, stem-like, pinnae, with secondary 

 ones on them, bearing long, narrow, 

 smooth-edged, round-pointed, leathery, pin- 

 nulets, turned over a little on their margins, 

 themselves often with obtuse projections 

 like the rudiments of a yet farther multi- 

 plication of parts. Pinnae more or less 

 opposite, and the under ones somewhat 

 approaching to those of Polypodium Cal- 

 careum, at a slightly bent angle ; quite 

 horizontally turned. The lower end of the 

 stalk, when cut across in any direction, 

 presents the exact figure of an oak. Pin- 

 nulets sometimes more recurved and 

 sharper. Extremities, when young, brown, 

 downy, and curled up. Often destroyed 

 by the spring frosts. Sori along the bor- 

 der of every sinuosity of the pinnulet, 

 but seldom quite to its apex. Indusium 

 fringed with hairs. May. Deciduous. 

 Very common. Difficult to transplant, and 

 afterwards preserve with success. It should 

 be removed in large masses for the sake of 

 the root, and when in a dormant state ; 

 or little independent plants taken from a 

 pasture or sloping bank, where there are 

 no large ones, the smaller and younger the 

 better, with much bole of earth, and reset 



