CYSTOPTERIS. 179 



upper basal pinnules largest ; the stipes, too, is tough, not 

 brittle. 



Another distinct variety, called dentata, is generally 

 smaller, and almost always blunter in the form of its 

 parts ; this grows from six to eight inches high, and has 

 ovate- lanceolate pinnso, with ovate, obtuse, pointless pin- 

 nules, which are again divided on the margin into a series 

 of short blunt notches or teeth ; the venation is more 

 simple, and the fructification is more marginal, than in 

 any of the preceding forms. It is reproduced from the 

 spores. 



The most distinct of the varieties, however, is one 

 called Dickieana, after Dr. Dickie, who discovered it in 

 a sea-cave near Aberdeen. It is of a more compact habit 

 of growth than any of the preceding, and grows from four 

 to six inches in height ; the outline almost ovate, termi- 

 nating in a point ; the pinnae ovate-lanceolate, deflexed, 

 overlapping each other ; the pinnules decurrent, broad, 

 obtuse, with a few shallow, marginal notches ; the 

 texture very delicate and herbaceous ; and the fructi- 

 fication marginal. It is of a deep green. It is a 

 constant variety under cultivation, and is reproduced by 

 spores. 



N 2 



