56 BRITISH FERNS 



under surface instead of the upper, and there is no doubt but that 

 the tortuous twisting of the ftexuosum and the spiral convolutions 

 of the revolvens forms are largely due to endeavours to counter- 

 act this, the varietal tendency and the normal being in constant 

 opposition. 



Shortened side divisions constitute another section ; in the Lady 

 Fern A. f. f. Frizellice (see Appendix No. VI) the pinnae are merely 

 round ball-like masses, the frond resembling a string of beads ; in 



A. f. f. Pritchardii we have a sort of intermediate between this and 

 cruciate forms. In the Hard Fern, we have Blechnum spicant con- 

 tinuum, Drueryii, with fronds like strings of scallop shells, and in 



B. s. lineare the fronds are almost, and sometimes quite strap- 

 shaped, the pinnae being short and rounded, or even quite con- 

 fluent. Conjoined with most of the above types are additional 

 peculiarities of many kinds, and it is this fact which renders it so 

 extremely difficult, if not impossible, to simplify the often long 

 names given to the plants concerned. To those who take the 

 trouble to learn what may be termed the Fern language, no such 

 great task as it appears, these names are invaluable when the 

 christening has been judicious, to which, unhappily, there are many 

 exceptions, and no true Fern-lover would care to see new finds or 

 raisings named without any indication of their character, as is 

 perforce done in the floral world. In a choice of evils it is good 

 policy to choose the less. 



