GYMNOCARPIUM DEYOPTERIS, 59 



ecUy includes the three supposed species. It occurs in North- 

 ern Asia, and Africa : it is also found throughout the United 

 States of North America, ascending to the exposed summits of 

 mountains, and almost reaching the extreme limits of vegeta- 

 tion, yet occasionally luxuriating in woods, if amply provided 

 with moisture for its wandering rhizome. 



In Great Britain, its range appears to be more restricted 

 than that of the beech fern. If the island were divided by an 

 oblique but irregular line, composed of the rivers Trent and 

 Severn, and the Bristol Channel, we shall iind G. Dryopteris 

 present in most of the counties to the north-west of this line, 

 and nearly absent from those to the south-east : this is the more 

 remarkable, since many situations, especially in Cornwall, De- 

 von, Dorset, Wilts, and Sussex, seem peculiarly adapted for the 

 growth of such a fern ; indeed, it has been recorded as grow- 

 ing in Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Sussex, Essex, Middlesex and 

 Lincolnshire ; but in each instance I have had reason to sus- 

 pect the intentional introduction of the species, or an error in 

 the name, since it certainly requires some proficiency in botany 

 to distinguish between this and the following species. It is 

 one of our most elegant and delicate ferns : like the last, it is 

 almost entirely confined to wild and mountainous districts, wet 

 woods, and the vicinity of waterfalls. On the most bleak and 

 exposed mountains it ascends to a considerable height, shel- 

 tering beneath ledges of rock, and under masses of stone. 



In Scotland, the localities are extremely numerous, and include nearly 

 all the counties. 



England. — Dr. Johnston records half-a-score stations in Berwickshire ; 

 in Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Diurham, Yorkshire and 

 Lancashire, the looaUties are far too numerous to mention. In Cheshire 

 it is comparatively rare : Mr. Wilson found it of very large size two miles 

 south of Warrington. In Derbyshire the rooks about Pleasley Forges, and 

 Cbinley Hill, near Chapel-le- Frith, are recorded in the ' Botanist's Guide ' 

 as localities. In Staffordshire, it has been found by the Ecv. Mr. Pindei- 

 in Trentham Park ; by Mr. Beynon in the grounds of the Rev. Thomas 

 Gisborne, of Yoxall Lodge ; by Mr. Carter, in a lane leading from Oaka- 

 moore to Colton Hall, and also on a stone wall near Colton Hall. In 

 Shropshire, treading in the footsteps of abler men, I observed it abundantly, 

 in company with G. Phegopteris and Allosorus crispus, about the basaltic 

 blocks on the ascent of the Titterstone Clee : it has also been found on the 



