O'^S EQUiSETACE^. — POLYPODiACE^. [Ceterach. 



conical, obtuse or pointed, dark green from the included spores, which are partly 

 colourless. Barren stems appearing simultaneously with the fertile and very simi- 

 lar to them in general appearance, hut more slender, with smaller, shorter and 

 closet shf-at/is, more numerous whorls of branches (10 — 20, Newm.), that are greatly 

 more elongated and very slender, drooping in an arching manner as in the fertile 

 plant, the branches composing each whorl gradually diminishing from the lower- 

 most whorl upwards, so as to give a conical or pyramidal outline, the apex termi- 

 nating in a simple branch and nodding. 



A most elegant and graceful species, far more common in mountainous districts 

 than with us. 



4. 'E.limosum, L. Smooth Horse-tail. " Stems smooth stri- 

 ated, striae about 16—18, teeth of the sheath short rigid distinct, 

 branches nearlj^ erect simple whorled often abortive, catkin termi- 

 nal upon the stem."— .Br. Fl. p. 582. E, B. t. 929. E. fluviatile, 

 L. (in part). 



13. Branches abortive or wanting. 



In shallow slow or stagnant water with a muddy bottom ; frequent. Fr. June, 

 July. 



-^- Med. — In marsh-ditches on Sandown level, abundant. In a small pool on 

 the S. side of Cothey-boitom copse, betwixt Westridge house and Barnsley farm, 



W. Med. — Abundant in the moors at Moor Town, Brixton, with E. palus- 

 tre, 1846. 



(3. Steephill, Albert Hamhrough, Esq., 1839! 



5. 'E.pahistre, L. ISIarsh Horse-tail. " Stems deeply furrowed 

 roundish with 4 — 8 angles, teeth of the sheaths wedge-shaped 

 acute brown at the point and membranaceous at the margin, 

 branches simple whorled gradually shorter upwards (sometimes 

 abortive), catkin terminal obtuse." — Br. Fl. p. 582. E.B.i. 

 2021. 



j3. Proliferous. 



In marshy or boggy places, on wet gravelly or sandy banks, turf-moors, &c.; 

 less frequent than the last. Fr. June, July. 



E. il/i?(?.— Shauklin chine. 



W. Med.- — Plentiful with E. limosum in wet meadows about Brixton, at Moor 

 Town, &c., 1846. Abundant in the moist meadows at Easton, Freshwater gate, 

 where the proliferous \ar. also grows, 1844. 



/3. In the old gravel-pit just beyond the bog at Cotkleton, 1845. Between 

 Debbourue turnpike and Gurnet farm, by the side of the road. Miss G. Kilderbee ! 



Order LXXXIX. POLYPODIACE^, R. Br. 



" Capsules dorsal or marginal, surrounded by a ring, reticulated 

 and pellucid, opening transversely and irregularly. Fronds cir- 

 cinate in aestivation." — Br. Fl. 



I. Ceteeach, Willd. Ceterach. 



" Sori oblong or linear, straight, scattered, arising from reticu- 

 lated veins, covered (as is the whole back of the frond) with chaffy 

 scales. Invohicrc none (or obsolete)."— i?r. Fl. 



