88 ASPLENIUM FILIX-FCEMINA. 



allow more than the enumeration of varieties; for a full des- 

 cription the reader is referred to the "Nature-printed Ferns." 



Several of the varieties are so distinct in appearance as to 

 make it very desirable that they should be cultivated; indeed the 

 branched variety multifidum gives place to none in its delicacy 

 and beauty; the singular distorted and naked appearance of 

 the variety depauperatum, and the parsley-look of the variety 

 crispurrif make these three desirable additions to our Fernery ; 

 whilst the feathery character of ovatum renders it an object to 

 be greatly admired; indeed no less interesting are the varieties 

 marinum^ latifoliuni, rhmticum, incisiim, and several others. 



The variety multifidum is as large and graceful as the typical 

 form of Asplenium fiUx-foeinina, and having all the points of 

 the division of the fronds multifid with tassel-like ends. 



The variety depauperatum is very succulent, and is curious 

 from the circumstance that the narrow widely-spreading fronds, 

 which are usually about twelve inches in length, terminate 

 in fan-shaped, branched, tassel-like ends. It is known on the 

 continent as Asplenium Filix-foemina monstrosum. 



The variety semi- depauperatum is similar on the one side of 

 the frond to midtifidum, whilst on the other the divisions arc 

 small, and often absent altogether. 



The variety crispum is densely tasselated, and closely resem- 

 bles parsley. 



A. Filix-fcemina may be procured from any Nurseryman. 

 The variety crispum from Veitch, of Chelsea; Rollisson, of 

 Tooting; Sim, of Foot's Cray; Masters, of Canterbury; Osborn, 

 of Fulham; Parker, of Holloway; A. Henderson, of Pine- 

 apple Place; Kennedy, of Covent Garden; and Pearson, of 

 Chilwell. The variety midtifiduyn from Rollisson, Sim, Parker, 

 and Kennedy; and the variety depauperatum from Sim and 

 Parker. Mr. Sim also possesses the v sli ietics pt/rpurceum, crosum, 

 mariniim, prcemorsum^ and semi-dvpa^ipcratum ; Mr. Parker, 

 marinum and piapurceum; Mr. Kennedy, incisumy trifidum, 

 and mollc ; and A. Henderson, molle. 



My thanks are due to Dr. Mackay for plants of the variety 

 marinum; to INlr. Sim and Mr. Pearson for others of the 

 variety crispum; to Mr. Clapham, of Scarborough, for depau- 

 j)cratum and incisum; to Mr. Sim, and to Mr. Stratton, of the 

 Cambridge Botanic Gardens, for latifolium ; to Mr. Sim for 



