152 BALL THE INDIGENOUS FERNS- 0F NOVA SCOTIA. 



we have at least five varieties, though I would wish to insert a 

 query after this statement as being doubtful of their constancy. 

 But as we find them abroad in their natural habitats there can be no 

 doubt about this. 



Var. intermedium. This is well described in Gray's Manual, 

 and is to be commonly met with about Halifax, and in Guysboro 

 Co., and in fact all over the province. 



Var. dilatatum. Native plants of this variety differ from the 

 British Lastrea dilatata specially, and from the United States variety 

 less so, in that it has scarcely any deeper brown in the centre of the 

 scales than at the margin, for in Nova Scotia plants the variety 

 intermedium has the darkest scales and fronds. Dilatatum is 

 known from intermedium by its broader, more drooping and lighter 

 coloured frond and lighter scales, as well as from its peculiarity in 

 the early autumn of being mottled with spots as though decaying.* 



It is more generally constant than the latter variety in having 

 the pinnae markedly broader near their centres than at their bases, 

 (except in the basal pinnae) whilst too, the rhizome is several times 

 larger than that of the equally aged intermedium (side by side with 

 which it frequently grows) , being creeping also where intermedium 

 is upright, and having the further additional distinction of shooting 

 off young rhizomes from the parent one. 



Var. dilatatum. Habs. Atwater's fall, Boylston ; ravine near 

 mouth of brook that runs under road between residence of S. 

 Hart, Esq., J. P., and Boylston School house, Guysboro County ; 

 along road between Margaret's Bay, and Hubbard's Cove, Lunen- 

 burg County; (Rev. E. H. Ball). It is rather common. 



Var. obliquum. Very nearly approaches Gray's typical aspid- 

 ium spinulosum, but differs in having more plentiful supply of scales 

 which are not deciduous. The oblique setting of pinnae and 

 pinnules, more upright growth and the distinctly elongated trian- 

 gular form of all the pinnoz (not merely the basal ones) are 

 points which distinguish this from the two foregoing varieties. 



* The indusium is smooth and ■without glands, whilst in var. intermedium it is irre- 

 gularly notched and glanduliferoug. 



