98 ON THE CLASSIFICATION OF FERNS. 



have again three other forms of fructification ; and we 

 find the fern in our hands belongs to the division in 

 which the sori are linear, oblong, or circular on the 

 under surface, without chaffy scales ; and against this 

 character we have the number 11. We now turn to 

 paragraph 11, and here the sori are again distinguished 

 into two groups, those which are oblong or linear, 

 and those which are circular. The Scolopendrium has 

 oblong or linear sori, and against this is the num- 

 ber 12. Now paragraph. 12 has two distinctions, one 

 of which is " fronds pinnate," the other " fronds entire ;" 

 and opposite this is the name Scolopendrium. The 

 plant, then, we have in our hand is the Common 

 Hart's-tongue. In the same way we may find out 

 any other genus or species in the index. 



As the genus Asplenium contains so many species, 

 Mr. Bentham gives a separate analysis of them, which 

 we also subjoin here. 



Fronds twice or thrice pinnate, with numerous 

 primary pinnas, the lowest or several lower 

 pairs decreasing in size. 



Frond 2 or 3 feet high, the longer pinnas ) ASPLENIUM 

 3 to 6 inches or more \ FILIX FCEMINA. 



Frond not a foot high, the longer pinnas 

 seldom 1^ inches. 



Broadest part of the frond above the 



L to li 



Broadest part below the middle. Ultimate ) ASPLENIUM 

 segments broad, 2 to 3 lines long . . . . \ LANCEOLATUM. 



Fronds once-pinnate, with numerous segments, 

 the lower pairs decreasing in size. 



Segments thick, ovate or lanceolate, % to ) ASPLENIUM 

 1 inch long or more J MARINUM. 



Segments thin, ovate or orbicular, under i ASPLENIUM 

 5 lines long } TBICHOMANES, 



