306 FLEXILE LADY FERN. 



each side they usually have three strongly developed ascending 

 teeth, and are also tri- or bidentate at the apex; the teeth 

 themselves are also, in some of the most luxuriant and most 

 developed specimens, bifid : the midvein in each pinnule is 

 distinct and sUghtly sinuated ; the lateral veins are alternate, 

 unbranched, and each bears a circular cluster of capsules half- 

 way between its base and apex : scales small, concolorous, pale 

 brown, scattered sparingly over the general and partial rachi- 

 des, but, as usual, larger and more niimerous towards the base 

 of the frond. 



In size this fern is rather diminutive ; its fronds frequently 

 attam a length of twelve inches, but its average length is seven 

 inches : it fruits freely, even when not more than three inches 

 in length. On comparing this description with that originally 

 published in the ' Phytologist,' it will be seen that several dis- 

 crepancies occur : of course, the later purports to be the more 

 correct. 



None observed : great pains have been taken to discover ab- 

 normal forms, or any forms that would indicate an approach to 

 described species, but it is remarkably constant in all its cha- 

 racters. 



CttltttW. 



Both species of Pseudathyrium grow freely in cultivation at 

 York and Worcester ; and I am indebted to my friend, Mr. 

 Westcombe, for plants of each, which I have wedged between 

 pieces of free-stone, filling the interstices with sandy peat : the 

 crowns look healthy, but it is too early at present to presume 

 on success, and far too early for me to give any instructions 

 about culture. 



