69 



ASPIDIUM FILIX-MAS, Var. Abbreviatum-cristatum. 



Lowe, 



PLATE XXVIII. 



Lastrea fiUx-mas abbreviata-cristata, Clowes. 



Aspidium — Shield Fern. 

 Filix-mas — Male Fern. Abhremalam-cnstatttm — Abbreviated-crested. 



In the Section Lastuea of Authors. 



This new multifid variety of the Male Fern, although not so 

 dwarf as the Aspidium pumilum, (figure 15, vol. vi, of ray 

 "Natural History of British and Exotic ferns,") is nevertheless 

 of dwarf compact habit, and an interesting addition to our hardy 

 Ferns. 



It was found in Borrodale, Cumberland, by Mr. R. D. 

 Harrison. 



The pinnae are opposite below and sub-opposite above, dis- 

 tant, and from an inch and a half to two inches in length, 

 their apices being branched and tasseled. The pinnules are 

 opposite. 



The midrib very scaly. 



Sori usually one on each pinnule, and in the larger and 

 broader pinnules two, the whole forming a single line close to 

 the midvein. 



Length of frond from twelve to eighteen inches. 



For a frond of this beautiful and rare Fern I am indebted 

 to Mr. Clowes, of Windermere. 



The illustration is from Mr. Clowes' frond. 



