THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



about 2in. broad, of a more slender habit, and with shorter leaflets and leafits 

 much less in number. These fronds, of a very light green colour, are almost 

 stalkless, the midrib extending nearly to the base of the frond. This variety 

 is further distinguished by the peculiarity of its fructification, the sori (spore 

 masses) being situated chiefly at the base of the frond, the extremity of 

 which is invariably barren. — Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, iii., p. 187. 

 Lowe, Our Native Ferns, i., t. 3. 



P. a. interruptum — in-ter-rup'-tum (interrupted), Moore. 



A very curious form, raised from spores in Sim's late establishment at 

 Foot's Cray, Kent. It has the habit and general appearance of P. a. flexile, 

 from which it is issue, but has many of its primary divisions (leaflets) much 

 and in various ways shortened, their divisions (leafits) appearing much toothed 

 or torn. 



P. a. laciniatum — lac-in-i-a'-tum (fringed), Stansfield. 



This very pretty and distinct variety, raised from spores in the Fernery 

 of Messrs. Stansfield, of Todmorden, is distinguished from the variety flexile 

 by its densely-set leaflets, which are fringed and recurved towards the base 

 of the stalk, short, and rounded at the end. The sori (spore masses) are 

 disposed along the midvein. — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, i., t. 3. 



P. a. lanceum — lan'-ce-um (spear-shaped), Moore. 



A variety having large fronds three times divided to the midrib, with 

 leafits lengthened out and deeply cleft ; their segments being bluntly notched. 

 It was found on the Clova Mountains, and also at Lochnagar, Aberdeenshire. 

 — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, i., p. 13. 



P. alternifolium — al-tern-if-ol'-i-um (alternate-leaved). Hooker. 



This very distinct, stove species, native of the Andes of Ecuador, possesses 

 a very pleasing appearance through its flaccid, pendent fronds, 2ft. to 10ft. 

 long and 2in. broad, being borne on very short, tufted, slender stalks clothed 

 with soft, spreading hairs. The leaflets, distinct and alternate (not opposite), 

 are spear-shaped, entire, and about Jin. long at the base ; they are of a very 

 soft, papery texture, with a blackish midrib, close to which the spore masses 

 are disposed in two long rows. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 222, t. 277a. 



