LO MARIA. 



411 



a stalk or midrib, the lobes being reduced into simple nodes bearing the 

 spore masses. — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, ii., p. 384. 



L. S. COntracta — con-trac'-ta (contracted), Lowe. 



A distinct and quite constant variety, originally found in the Valley 

 of Conway, North Wales. Its barren fronds, about 5in. long, have the 

 leaflets at their lower half remarkably narrow (Fig. 101), contracted and cleft ; 

 those above are larger, irregular, and somewhat ligulate (strap-shaped). — 

 Lowe, New and Rare Ferns, t, 20c. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 295. 



L. S. C. ramosa— ra-mo'-sa (branching), Lowe. 



A very handsome, crested form of the previous 

 variety, originally found in the Clova Mountains, in 

 Scotland. Its fronds, similar in size and formation 

 to those of the variety contracta, become branched 

 at about 2in. from their summit, where they are also 

 furnished with larger and irregular-shaped leaflets.— 

 Lowe, New and Rare Ferns, t. 20d. 



L. S. crispa — cris'-pa (curled), Lowe. 



In this beautiful variety, found in Broadwater 

 Forest, Tunbridge Wells, the barren fronds, Sin. to 

 lOin. long, have their lateral segments crowded, 

 blunt at the extremity, and curled on the margin. 

 Their summit is crisped and multifid (much-cleft), 

 forming a small tassel. The fertile fronds are similar 

 in size and form, their leaflets being also blunt at 

 the extremity.— Our Native Ferns, ii., p. 382. 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 295. 



3$ 



Fi^. 101. Barren Frond of Lomaria 

 Spicant contracta 



(nat. size). 



L. S. cristata — cris-ta'-ta (crested), Lowe. 



A very pretty variety, found in the neighbourhood of Tunbridge Wells, 

 also on the Clova Mountains, and in a ravine of Saddleback, Keswick. Its 

 barren fronds are 6in. to Sin. long, of normal shape, except at the extremity. 



