ATHYHIUM FILIX-FEMINA. 217 



of the plant. " In the ' Appendix to the Phytologist for 1851,' 

 Mr. Newman distinguishes this into four species, — ovatum, 

 molle, incisum, convexum. The three latter are familiar and 

 passably well marked varieties, perhaps even species. The first 

 of the four is the Athyrium Filix-foemina var. latifolium of 

 Babington's Manual. To my eyes it appears more correctly to 

 be designated a casual variation, or even monstrositj^, than a 

 variety. On seeing the fronds of it in the herbarium of Sir W. 

 J. Hooker, I wrote this opinion of them to Mr. Newman, and 

 was not sorry to find shortly afterwards (Bot. Gaz. iv. 155) that 

 Mr. Hort had arrived at a very similar conclusion, indepen- 

 dently, and on an actual inspection of the living plant in its 

 native station ; for it seems there is now only one root left, 

 although it is stated that there were two roots originally. We 

 might soon multiply our botanical species ten-fold, if it were 

 admissible to make species on single plants in an abnormal 

 condition of health or luxuriance." — Cyb. Brit. iii. 273. I 

 accept these observations as perfectly satisfactory, agreeing 

 with them in every particular. 



Found near Keswick by Miss Wright, to whom, as well as to 

 Miss Beever and Mr. Babington, I am indebted for specimens. 



€nlimt. 



No fern is more desirable, as a garden ornament, than the 

 lady fern. The soil should be light and peatj^, and the supply 

 of wet can scarcely be too abundant : the roots will bear con- 

 stant submersion during the summer season, when a succession 

 of fronds is in course of development. In a greenhouse, it 

 should have a large pot, and a deep feeder filled with water. 

 The monstrous forms of the lady fern are great favourites with 

 cultivators. One, of which I have introduced a figure in the 

 following page, is very beautiful : it occurs in several places in 

 Ireland. I am indebted to the late Mr. Ogilby, Dr. Mackay, 

 and Mr. Moore, for specimens. 



2 F 



