ALLOSORUS CRISPUS. 95 



Fronds annual, appearing in May, and perishing early in 

 the autumn. 



Length of frond from four to twelve inches; colour lively 

 green. Barren and fertile fronds dissimilar. 



Stipes mostly longer than the frond, smooth, slender, and 

 vivid green in colour. Rachis smooth; caudex small, short, 

 tufted, and scaly. Fibres branched, wiry, and dark brown in 

 colour. 



It delights to grow in a shady situation, free from stagnant 

 moisture; the latter in winter, when the fronds have disap- 

 peared, is sure to kill it. 



It does not seem subject to variety like many of our British 

 species. 



For plants of A. crispus I am indebted to Miss Barker, 

 Trent Lock, Beeston; Mr. Wraight, of Newlands; Mr. Joseph 

 Sidebotham, of Manchester; Mr. Booker, of Matlock; to Mr. 

 Robert Clarke, gardener at Flass House, Crosby Ravensworth; 

 and to Captain A. S. H. Lowe, for plants gathered wild in 

 "Westmoreland. For fronds, I am indebted to Mr. Gray, of St. 

 Thomas', Exeter; and to Mr. Norman, of Hull. 



The illustration is from a frond forwarded by Mr. Gray. 



