146 



PINDEE S PEEN. 



of an intermediate form, produced the lanceolate frond after 

 being some time in cultivation. Notwithstanding the protean 

 character of this fern as regards outline, and notwithstanding 

 the difficulty I feel in giving it anything approaching a satis- 

 factory specific description, stiU, influenced mainly by some 

 peculiarity which arrests the eye, but which I have not yet been 

 able to describe, I incline to regard it as distinct : I do not, 

 however, wish to be understood as contending for the exist- 

 ence of species which cannot be botanically separated. 



CttltttW. 



I have had a plant living several years in a cold greenhouse : 

 potted in sandy peat, and well supplied with water and drain- 

 age, it becomes yearly more lanceolate. 



The figures below represent three scales taken from three 

 species of Lophodium : a, spinosum ; h, multiflorum ; c, foeni- 

 secii. 



