i 5 8 



BRITISH FERNS 



the lemon-like odour produced if these be handled, it will be found 

 on closer examination that the side divisions commence close to the 

 ground as round lobes which lengthen slowly at first, and then 

 more rapidly, forming a lance-shaped outline with a gradual 



Fig. 174. L. -Montana (pinna). 



tapering off below, while in the Male Fern they start abruptly of 

 some length a third of the way up the frond, the stalk below being 

 bare. The spore heaps are small and numerous. It resents lime 

 in soil or water, and grows best in moist, friable loam, in well- 

 drained pots, or on the northern sides of rockeries. Curiously 

 enough this species for a very long period had the reputation of 

 being a very constant and " non-sporting " one, since, despite its 

 abundance, no varieties turned up to reward the hunter's per- 

 severance. Then, however, two or three varieties were discovered, 

 and Mr. J. M. Barnes, of Milnthorpe, in the Lake District, devoted 

 particular attention to the species, and found some very fine ones. 

 Others followed, and at present L. muntana figures as by far the 

 most versatile species of the genus, over seventy varieties being 

 catalogued as found in the Lake District alone, clearly due mainly 

 to the residence there of a number of experienced hunters, since 

 we have ourselves found several very choice and distinct forms 

 in Devonshire and Scotland, and Dr. Stansfield recently found 

 a magnificent plumose form in Wales. The following are the best. 



Apileformis. — Found at Swindale by Mr. Barnes ; a multifid, 

 branched terminal crest. 



ATTEN U ATO-CRISTATA.- 



narrow, crested form. 



Barnesii. — Found by Mr. Barnes ; a remarkable variety, with 

 short, oval side divisions set on to the midrib at right angles, like 

 the steps of a ladder. Unique when found, and still distinct ; but 

 a number of very similar, narrow varieties have since been dis- 

 covered by Mr. Whitwell and others. 



Concinnata. — Found Loughrigg by Mr. Crouch ; a narrow 



revolvcus. 



Congesta. — A number of very good congested forms have been 

 found ; the best we have seen is crispaiissima, found by Mr. Gott 

 near Troutbeck. 



Crispatissima. — See note to cow'csla. 



-Found in Mardale by Mr. Barnes ; a 



