THE LASTREAS 



149 



mention in this connection that in the early days of Fern-hunting, 

 varieties presenting very trifling differences, such as we now ignore, 

 were considered worthy of note and of a name, but as the catalogue 

 of thoroughbred and distinct forms increased they became con- 

 sidered as mere sub-varieties, and ceased to attract attention. 

 The Male Fern is peculiarly liable to " sport " into what are termed 

 " rogue " forms, in which some of the fronds are irregularly foliose, 

 forked, or depauperated, sometimes assuming, temporarily, so 

 marked a character as to deceive even the expert, since when 

 removed they always revert more or less to the normal. We are 

 strongly of opinion that some of these figure in the old records of 

 varieties proper. 



Lastrea Filix-mas 



Acrocladon (Plate XVIII). — A beautifully crested form, but un- 

 fortunately named, as ' ' acrocladon ' ' is applied in other cases to much- 

 branched, heavy-crested forms to which this does not approach. 



Fig- I59. L. f. m. Bartiesii (pinnse). 



Barnesii (Fig. 159). — Found in Lancashire by Mr. Barnes ; a 

 very distinct narrow-fronded form with short, wide pinnse, some- 

 what on the lines of Pinderii. 



L. f. m. Beeveria. 



Beeverle (Fig. 160). — Found near Coniston by Miss Beever ; 

 somewhat resembles Pinderii, but more foliose and denser. 



