44 ASPIDIUM FILIX-MAS. 



species from Aspidium Filix-mas. The dwarf permanent form 

 and peculiar character of the sori renders it very distinct from 

 A. Filix-mas, and I do not doubt that before very long it will 

 be separated from that species by the universal consent of 

 botanists, and at the same time the dwarf so-called form of 

 Asplenium Filix-foemitiay known as the variety Acuminatum, will 

 also be raised to the honourable dignity of a species. Lately I 

 have seen much of this latter Fern in the lake district of West- 

 morland and Cumberland, mostly growing in alpine situations, yet 

 having the normal form of Asplenium Filix-fcemina, growing 

 amongst it. Mostly it is the companion of Aspidium oreopteris. 

 It is a common and widely-spread Fern in hilly districts. 



Turning to the normal form of Aspidium Filix-mas, the fronds 

 are lanceolate, bipinnate, with linear pinnae tapering to the apex; 

 pinnules oblong-obtuse, with the margin serrate, crenate, or in- 

 ciso-lobate. Caudex large, tufted, scaly, erect, or decumbent. 

 Stipes short, stout, covered with scales. Rachis slightly covered 

 with small scales. Pinnse numerous. Veins branched. 



Sori numerous, distinct, roundish reniform, medial. Indusium 

 convex, persistent, reniform, margin entire, destitute of marginal 

 glands. 



Length of frond usually from two to three feet, occasionally 

 as much as six feet; colour deep green, smooth and bright. 



A deciduous hardy indigenous species common throughout 

 the whole of Europe. In Russian Asia, along the Altai and 

 Himalaya from Kumaon through Nepal to Assam, in some 

 parts of India, North Africa, Madeira, Mexico, Guatemala, 

 New Granada, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, and Caraccas. 



For plants of this Fern I am indebted for the variety Paleacea 

 to Mr. Shn, of Foot's Cray; for the variety Cristata to Mr. 

 WoUaston, of Chisselhurst; Messrs. Rollisson, of Tooting; and 

 Mr. Sim, of Foot's Cray; for the variety Erosa to Mr. Clapham, 

 of Scarbro'; for the variety Polydactyla to Mr. Stansfield, of 

 Todmorden; and for fronds of Cristata to Mr. Henderson, of 

 Wentworth, and to Mr. Grey, of St. Thomas', Exeter. 



The variety Paleacea I have found abundant about Stockgill 

 Force, Ambleside, and near Rydal Lake, and near Windermere, 

 about Lowood. 



The variety Deorso-lohata about Ambleside, and at Matlock 

 and WoUaton. 



