342 BRITISH FERNS 



XL 



SEM1LACERUM GRANDE (Jones) 



(Unknown.) Wicklow. 1862. 

 1 ft. 2 in. 



By Mr. Barnard Hankey. The details of the discovery of this 

 magnificent variety are unknown. All that can be traced of its 

 history is as follows: "Years ago one of the Beresford family, 

 a friend of ours, went to Ireland and was presented when in 

 Wicklow with a fine clump of semikwerum ; this was divided, and 

 a portion came to me, — in due course I divided my portion, and 

 observed at the time there was some difference in growth, — I there- 

 fore kept what was inclined to sport, quite distinct from the 

 original bit, and whenever a normal frond appeared I stopped it — 

 this bit never gives me more than a few fronds per annum. I must 

 have had it more than fifteen years at least." — Note by Mr. Barnard 

 Hankey. 



