BLECHNUM. 95 



when its fronds are in a fresh state. Both kinds of fronds 

 are of a narrow lanceolate form ; the barren ones being only 

 deeply pinnatifid, while the fertile ones are pinnate ; but the 

 segments in both are long and narrow, like the teeth of a 

 comb. The barren fronds, which are from one-half to two- 

 thirds the height of the fertile ones, assume a spreading or 

 horizontal position, and are attached to the caudex by a 

 very short scaly stipes. The fertile ones, which are situated 

 in the centre of the tufts, are erect, from one to two feet 

 high, the stipes, which is sparingly furnished with long 

 pointed scales, being nearly half the length, and of a dark 

 brown colour. 



The veins are not very evident in the fertile fronds, on 

 account of the contraction of the parts, but they resemble 

 those of the barren ones, except in having a longitudinal 

 venule on each side the midvein, forming the recep- 

 tacle to which the spore-cases are attached. The midvein is 

 prominent, and produces a series of venules on each side, 

 these becoming forked, and extending almost to the 

 margin, terminating in a club-shaped head. In the fertile 

 fronds the veinlets are necessarily shorter, and connected, as 

 already mentioned, by the longitudinal venules which bear 

 the fructification. The spore-cases are thus arranged in 



