76 HISTORY OF BRITISH PERNS. 



teristic is very obvious, for the three branches appear 

 rolled up separately at the tips of three little wire-like 

 stalks, supported by one which is longer and stouter. It 

 is a slender and delicate plant, its height being commonly 

 not more than six inches, often less, though sometimes 

 more ; and its texture is fragile. Hence, it is at once 

 destroyed by frost, and soon becomes rusty and withered 

 by exposure to heat and drought. When growing in a 

 cool, shady situation, however, it continues fresh and 

 cheerful -looking from April, when it usually starts into 

 growth, onwards until it is affected by autumnal cold. In 

 pots, in Wardian cases, or on sheltered shady rockwork, it 

 is alike desirable for cultivation. 



The fronds of this delicate little Fern grow from a 

 slender creeping stem, which often forms densely matted 

 tufts. They are quite smooth, and of a bright light green 

 colour, supported by stipes which are usually about twice 

 as long as the leafy part, and are slender, brittle, and dark- 

 coloured. The outline is almost pentagonal, the frond 

 beino; divided into three branches, each of which is of a 

 triangular form. One peculiarity about this species, which 

 is in a slight degree shared by its near ally P. Rohertia- 

 num, is the deflection of the rachis at the point where the 



