p 



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FILICES. 161 



slum, becoming confluent as they arrive at maturity, and occupy- 

 ing the whole under surface ; spore-cases round, shining brown. 

 This Fern differs much in appearance according to the situation 

 in which it grows, and has accordingly been divided by many 

 botanists into several varieties. Yery abundantly distributed on 

 walls, rocks, and hedge-banks. A very small variety is found on 

 old walls, with the pinnae much crowded together, and their seg- 

 ments very slightly divided. P. v.-vm. 



3. A. marinum (sea Spleenwort.) In crevices of rock and 

 rocky caves near the sea. " Fronds linear, simply pinnate ; pinna? 

 stalked, ovate or oblong, serrate, unequal, and wedge-shaped at 

 the base" (Sab. Man. p. 426). (Sm. E. B. t. 392. Moore, Nat. 

 Print. Ferns, t. 38. Sowerby, Ferns, t. 29. Moore, Handbook, 

 p. 177.) Caudex short, fixed firmly by long and numerous slen- 

 der wiry roots ; stipes shorter than the leafy part of the frond, 



(urplish-brown, smooth ; the rachis is also slightly coloured below, 

 ut green and winged above. Fronds from 2 or 3 to 6 or 12 

 inches long, or even more, broadly linear, but tapering to the 

 summit. Pinna? stalked, oblong or ovate, oblique from the 

 lengthening of basal angle anteriorly, the margins crenated and 

 serrate. Yenation consisting of a strong midvein, which gives off 

 lateral veins which are again forkedly divided. Sori situated on 

 the anterior side of the venules, linear, covered by a permanent 

 undivided indusium, they range on each side of the midvein, and 

 form two rows of oblique lines at the back of each of the pinna?. 

 Spore-cases numerous, brown. Eocks at Hope's Nose (plants 

 very small). Caves in the rocks around Torbay. Formerly 

 plentiful on the rocks at Paignton, but the habitat has been de- 

 stroyed. P. Tl.-ix. 



4. A. Trichomanes (common Maidenhair Spleemuort.) On 

 rocks and old walls, plentifully distributed. "Fronds linear 

 pinnate; pinna? roundish-ovate, crenate; veins forked below the 

 clusters" (Sab. Man. p. 426). (Sm. E. B. t. 576. Moore, Nat. 

 Print. Ferns, t. 39. Sowerby, Ferns, t. 30. Moore, Handbook, 

 p. 181.) Caudex very short ; roots wiry, long, and branching. 

 Stipes exceedingly short, smooth, of a rich chestnut colour, or 

 very dark brown, sometimes nearly black, rounded posteriorly, 

 but flat in front, and having a raised line on each side ; rachis 

 dark coloured like the stipes ; fronds varying from 2 to 14 or 15 

 inches in length, linear and simply pinnate ; pinnae numerous, 

 roundish-ovate or oblong, blunt at the apex, deep full green and 

 glossy, attached to the rachis by a very short stalk formed by the 

 narrowing of the wedge-shaped base, their margins are either 

 crenated or entire. The venation comprises a midvein which 

 gives off forked veins, upon the anterior venules of which the 

 son are borne. Sori numerous, linear, covered by an indusium, 



M 



