PTEEIS. 167 



bleached, membranous, fringed expansion of the upper skin 

 or epidermis of the fronds, which reflexes so as to cover the 

 spore-cases, but there is here another membrane which lies 

 beneath the spore-cases, and is no doubt a similar expansion 

 of the skin of the under surface. 



It has been already remarked that there are two forms of 

 this plant commonly met with. These are so very dissimilar 

 that we have elsewhere* proposed to distinguish them as 

 varieties, applying to the pinnatifid form the name ver a, and 

 to the more entire form that of integerrima. 



This, which is the most abundant of our indigenous 

 species, is also widely distributed in other parts of the world, 

 and bears a variety of names, from having been supposed to 

 be distinct by those who have met with it from such widely 

 separated localities. 



Being so common, and in an ordinary state uncouth- 

 looking, it is not a plant for cultivation to any extent. In 

 warm, damp wilderness- scenery, however, where it would 

 attain great luxuriance, and the situation is such as would 

 enable it to develope the arching character already men- 

 tioned, it might very properly be introduced. 



* Handbook of British Ferns : p. 134. 



