48 



LOMARIA SPICANT, Var. Contractum. 

 Lowe. 



PLATE XX. C. 



Lomaria — From loma, an edge, in reference to the position of the 

 spore-cases. Spicant — Spiked. Contractum — Shortened. 



Discovered in July, 1859, iu Conway Valley, North Wales, 

 by Mr. J. Holmes. 



This variety is quite constant. In beauty it is a gem. 



Pinnules remarkably narrow for the lower half of the frond, 

 above larger, irregular, and somewhat triangular in form; the 

 apex attenuated; the basal contracted pinnules incised. 



Length of sterile frond five inches. 



For a description of Lomaria spicant see page 131, vol. iv, 

 of a "Natural History of British and Exotic Ferns," by E. J. 

 Lowe. 



The frond for illustration was forwarded by Mr. Stansfield, 

 of Todmorden. 



LOMARIA SPICANT, Var. Contractum-ramosum. 



Lowe. 



PLATE XX. — D. 



Lomaria — From loma, an edge, in reference to the position of the 



spore-oases. Spicant — Spiked. Contractum — Shortened. 



Iiam,osum — Branching. 



Discovered in the Clova Mountains, Scotland, in September, 

 1859, by Mr. J. Horsfall. 



Another very handsome Fern. 



The lower portion of the frond much contracted, but scarcely 

 incised; the pinnules in the middle of the frond somewhat 

 larger, irregular in form, but more or less triangular; at two 

 inches from the apex branched, the pinnules larger, irregular, 

 and the apex of the frond narrow and elongated. 



For a frond my thanks are due to Mr. Stansfield, of Tod- 

 morden. 



