106 WHERE TO FIND FERNS. 



rachides, and more or less deeply divided into sharply- 

 indented lobes, the pinnules on the under sides of the 

 midstems of the lowest pair of pinnae being considerably 

 longer and more divided than those on the upper sides 

 of the same midstems ; the same kind of difference, 

 though in a less degree, being observable in the pinnules 

 of the pinnae above the difference gradually disap- 

 pearing towards the apex of the frond. Characters 

 which, besides its smaller size, distinguish this species 

 from Lastrea dilatata are the strong hay scent which is 

 diffused by the fronds, especially when in a dry or drying 

 state, the bluish-green hue of its fronds, and the recurving 

 of the lobes of the pinnules. It has been seen that in 

 Lastrea dilatata the under sides of the lobes are concave, 

 a feature which gives a drooping aspect to the entire 

 frond. In Lastrea recurva, on the other hand, the lobes 

 are recurved, so that they are slightly concave on their 

 upper sides. Fructification distributed over the entire 

 under surface of the frond, and consisting of rows one 

 on each side of the midvein of each lobe in the lower 

 part of the frond and of each pinnule on the upper part 

 of kidney-shaped indusia, green at first, and subse- 

 quently becoming brown and falling off as the spores are 

 ripened. 



HABITATS. Moist and sheltered rocky and other 

 banks and hollows of woods ; loose stones upon hillsides 

 or embankments ; the tops and sides of hedgebanks 

 where the luxuriance of shrubs and trees makes shady 

 places. The positions this fern prefers are those where 

 rich leaf-soil is found in conjunction with shade and 

 moisture. 



WHERE FOUND. In England, in the counties of 

 Cornwall, Cumberland, Devon, Dorset, Hereford, Kent, 

 Lancaster, Northumberland, Salop, Somerset, Sussex, 

 Westmoreland, and York. In Wales, in the counties of 

 Anglesea, Caernarvon, Glamorgan, Merioneth and Pem- 

 broke. In the Isle of Man. In Scotland, in the counties 



