114 HISTORY OF BRITISH FERNS. 



position of the pinnules, and in all sucli cases it is usual 

 to describe only those which are the most complete, namely, 

 such as are situated at the base of a few of the lowermost 

 pinna?. The venation in the less divided pinnules con- 

 sists of a midrib, less tortuous than in cristata, which 

 gives off branched veins ; the lower anterior venules 

 proceeding from these bear the sori, about midway between 

 the rib and the mai-gin ; the clusters of spore-cases thus 

 formino" an even double row on each pinnule. When the 

 pinnule is more divided, tlie same arrangement of the sori 

 occurs on the lobes, the branches of the lateral veins or 

 venules beinfr then more numerous. The sori are covered 

 by kidney-shaped indusia, having the margin entire. 

 This Fern is met with in marshy places and damp woods ; 

 and in such places it does not appear to be uncommon. It 

 is very easily cultivated on damp banks or rockwork, and, 

 Avhen grown in pots, requires to be plentifully supplied 

 with water. 



Lastrea crlstata has received the additional names of 

 Pohipodium, Aspidium tm.d Pob/stichtim cristatiun, Dryo- 

 pteris cristata and Lophodium Callipteris. A similar series 

 of synonymcs belong to the variety spimdom. 



