518 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



The pinnules (leafits), divided almost to the midrib, are more or less pointed 

 and have their edges toothed. — Lowe^ Our Native Ferns^ i., fig. 207. 

 Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 441. Moore, Nature -printed 

 British Ferns, t. 37. 



N. F.-m. propinquum — prop'-in-qu-um (approaching), Wollaston. 



This variety, which Wollaston ranks as a distinct species, is not so 

 coarse-growing as the typical FiUx-m,as ; and although it attains a large size, 

 there is a smoothness in the fronds which renders it distinct at first sight. 

 These fronds, oft. to 5ft. long, are of a more compact habit, and their leaflets 

 are also shorter and broader for their length, than in the type. The plant 

 is found in various counties in England, in Scotland, and also in Ireland, 

 and is reported from the Channel Islands. Lowe states that where found 

 it is frequently very abundant. — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, i., fig. 203. 



N. F.-m. pumilum— pu'-mil-um (dwarf), Moore. 



A very rare and pretty little Fern, of erect habit, originally found on 

 Snowdon, and subsequently near Llyn Ogwen, and one which, on account 

 of its very distinct tufted habit and general appearance, Mr. Wollaston 

 considers as a doubtful species, and Lowe figures as such (" Ferns British 

 and Exotic," vi., t. 15). Its elegant little fronds, 9in. to 12in. long, are 

 borne on stalks that are 2in. to 3in. long and clothed with fringed scales ; 

 they are furnished with short, blunt, and somewhat deflexed leaflets, deeply 

 cleft, and recurved at their extremity. The form of the fronds and of their 

 leaflets is decidedly concave ; and the sori (spore masses) are disposed in 

 a single line on each side the midrib of the leaflets. — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, 

 i., fig. 218. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, ii,, p. 441. 



N. F.-m. ramo-cristatum — ra'-mo-cris-ta'-tum (branched and crested), 

 Moore. 



A very distinct but somewhat irregular or inconstant form, of dwarf 

 habit, with fronds seldom more than lOin. long, usually three times branched, 

 and crested at their extremities (Fig. 126). C. T. Druery, in his excellent 

 work, "Choice British Ferns," states (p. 109) that the branching of the 

 fronds begins at the base, and that the plant forms a compact and very 

 ornamental bush. 



