SCOLOPENDRIUM. 159 



fronds a very elegant curled or crisped appearance. This 

 sort is barren, though there is an allied form less curled 

 which produces the usual fructification. 



A curious and distinct variety is called polyschides, or 

 angustifolium by some. The fronds of this are linear, and 

 blunt at the apex, much narrower than in the common 

 sort, and the margin is deeply and irregularly lobed and 

 crenated. This sort is fertile, and its sori are short, and, 

 instead of being ranged in a single series on each side the 

 midrib, as is usual in the common sort, they form two 

 irregular lines on each side. 



Another curious and very beautiful variety, called 

 marginatum, is lobed in the same manner fis pohjscJddes, 

 but has the fronds broader ; it is remarkable in having, 

 behind, a longitudinal excurrent membrane on each side 

 between the midrib and margin, on which membrane, as 

 well as exterior to it, the short interrupted sori are pro- 

 duced. This was found in Somersetshire, by Sir W. C. 

 Trevclyan's gardener, Mr. Elworthy. Another beautiful 

 form — fissum — is lobed like polyschides, but broader, and 

 without the membrane present in marginatum. 



Another striking variety is multifidum. This has the 

 fronds forked cither near the apex or sometimes near the 



