330 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



a curious shape, being halbert- shaped at the base and very variable at the 

 summit, where they are usually much divided after the manner of stag's 

 horns. The spore masses, which are formed within the narrow margins of 

 the fronds, appear on their upper surface like a row of beads. — Lowe, Our 

 Native Ferns, ii., fig. 680. 



S. Y. jugosum — jug-o'-sum (full of ridges), Moore. 



Originally found in Guernsey, and subsequently at Barnstaple and at 

 Ottery St. Mary, this variety is easily distinguished through the thickening 



of the veins which bear the spore masses. 

 The fronds also show a series of her- 

 baceous ridges or sorus-like excrescences 

 on their upper surface, on the opposite 

 side to the spore masses proper. Their 

 length varies from 1ft. to ljft. — Lowe, 

 Our Native Ferns, ii., t. 52b ; New 

 and Rare Ferns, t. 24b. 



S. y. Kelwayii — Kel-way'-I-i (Kel- 

 way's), Moore. 

 Undoubtedly this is one of the 

 prettiest forms in cultivation ; its good 

 habit (Fig. 93) and its medium dimensions render it a very useful and desirable 

 plant for decoration. The fronds, which seldom exceed lOin. in total height, 

 are borne on slender yet stiff stalks branching near the base, and branching 

 again Sin, to 4in. higher up. The whole of the leafy portion is repeatedly 

 forked, being formed of densely- overlapping lobes and of a most pleasing 

 green colour. — Druery, Choice British Ferns, p. 137, fig. 28. 



Fig. 93. Scolopendrium vulgaro Kelwayii 

 (I nat. size). 



S. Y. keratoides — ker-at-o-i'-des (horn-like), Lowe. 



This variety, one of the most interesting in cultivation, was raised from 

 spores by Mr. A. Clapham. The total length of the fronds is about 9in., and 

 their leafy portion is very narrow at the base. Their stalks branch about 3in. 

 above the base, and branch again two or three times, all the parts of the 

 fronds being narrow and jagged ; they terminate in a crest made up of 



