424 BRITISH FERNS 



LXXIX 



Multilobum Gray (IVoll.) 



Mr. Robert Gray. S. Devon. 1865. 



2 ft. 6 in. 



May be taken as a typical specimen of a thoroughly good multi- 

 lobe of the more robust kind, there are not many so thoroughly 

 even in development. 



The multilobes may be said to hold an intermediate place 

 between the forms of decomposition on one side, and the acuti- 

 lobes and divisilobes on the other ; — resembling the former in the 

 more or less rounded shape of the divisions of the pinnules, and 

 partaking to a certain extent of the finer and neater look of the 

 latter; in fact, the)' may be said to have a dash of that "gentle 

 blood " which so distinguishes the latter varieties, and which 

 decomposition has not. 



Multilobes vary much, in some cases they are little more than 

 very neatly cut decompositions, and when varying in the other 

 direction and much developed, they are often only distinguishable 

 from divisilobes by the greater roundness in the divisions of the 

 pinnules and by the more equal development of the upper and 

 lower pinna?, whereas in divisilobes one of the most marked 

 peculiarities is the excessive development of the posterior pinnules. 



