AMESIUM SEPTENTRIONAIE. 269 



page 265, are in their natural position : the form of the frond 

 is elongate, lanceolate, and furnished laterally with one or two 

 short bifid teeth or serratures, and the apex also terminates in 

 a bifid point ; it diminishes imperceptibly towards the base, 

 and there terminates in a smooth stipes, which is black at the 

 extreme base. The veins are nearly simple, and few in num- 

 ber, one running into each serrature : the capsules are attached 

 to each vein in a continuous line, 

 covered at first by an involucre 

 of similar shape, which opens to- 

 wards the middle of the frond, 

 and, as the capsules swell, is 

 thrown back, and finally lost, and the lower surface of the frond 

 then presents a continuous mass of capsules. Roth describes 

 the involucre as double (Flor. Germ. iii. 50) ; but this, although 

 certainly the case as regards the apical portion of the frond, is 

 not so with the basal portion. The free margin of the involu- 

 cre is sinuous, but not jagged. 



This fern in its normal state is so very different from every 

 other British species, that there is not the slightest danger of 

 any confusion occurring in this way. On the other hand, its 

 similarity to the buck's-horn plantain (Plantago Coronopus) is 

 so great, that a superficial observer might well be excused for 

 mistaldng it for that plant. Although occasionally established 

 in lofty and exposed situations, it can scarcely be considered a 

 hardy species, since it is very susceptible of cold, its young 

 fronds being injured by a very slight frost, as noticed by Mr. 

 Watson. 



The observations on Asplenium Breynii at page 260, apply 

 with equal force here. When Amesium septentrionale in 

 cultivation happens to be neglected, and deprived of moisture, 

 especially towards the end of autumn, new fronds are developed, 

 in which the rachis becomes more distinct, the divisions of the 

 frond assume the character and appearance of pinnje, and their 

 apices become blunter, without losing in any degree their bifid 

 or trifid character : the free margin of the involucre always 



