126 HISTORY OF BRITISH FERXS, 



seldom exceed two or three feet in height ; they are erect, 

 and their form is narrow-lanceolate ; the pinna? are taper- 

 pointed ; the pinnules set quite clear of each other, very 

 narrow, that is, linear, with sharp points, the margins 

 bluntly toothed, but rolled under so that very little of the 

 toothing is seen ; the sori are very often confluent. It 

 occurs in boggy places. 



The variety latifolium, found a few years since in "West- 

 moreland, is another very distinct and a strono'-QTowing 

 form. It differs from the common sort, in the elongate 

 or oblong-lanceolate outline of its fronds, and in the broad, 

 leafy, crowded development of its ovate irregularly-lobed 

 pinnules, which are deeply toothed at the margin, with the 

 curved sori lying near the sinus of the lobes. 



The form called molle, which is perhaps only one of the 

 smaller states of the common plant, has ovate-lanceolate 

 fronds growing nearly erect, the lower pair of pinnas being 

 short and dcflexed ; it has flat toothed pinnules, connected 

 at their base by a slender wing to the midrib, and produces 

 its sori distinct. This is a small form, often not more 

 than about a foot in height. 



The variety marinnm, a very curious and distinct-look- 

 ing plant, found by Dr. Dickie in a sea-cave at Aberdeen, 



