ASP I D III M. 



439 



are also distinctly tripinnate (three times divided to the midrib) ; they are 

 very broad when compared with their length, which seldom exceeds ljft., 

 and are of a dart green colour ; the rachis (stalk of the leafy portion) 

 is thickly covered with brown scales, and abundantly proliferous on nearly 

 its whole length. The habit of this handsome variety is also peculiar, as, 

 instead of growing upright, its plumose fronds spread out horizontally, or, at 

 the most, only slant upwards. — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, i., p. 104, fig. 75. 



A. a. p. Padleyanum— Pad-ley- 

 a'-nura (Padley's), Lowe. 

 A very handsome form, normal in 

 outline, originally found at Monkleigh, 

 North Devon. Its fronds, Mffc. long-, 

 are twice divided to the midrib ; their 

 pinnae (leaflets) are opposite on the 

 lower half of the frond and alternate 

 above ; they are narrow-lance-shaped, 

 crowded, and strongly auriculate 

 (having a distinctly-marked ear) at 

 the base. This is further distinct from 

 most known varieties by the abundance 

 of long spines noticeable along the 

 margins and at the extremity of each 

 pinnule (leant). — Lowe, Our Native 

 Ferns, i., p. 156, fig. 133. 



A. a. p. Wollastoni— Wol'-las-ton-i 

 (Wollaston's), Moore. 

 This is undoubtedly one of the most 

 beautiful British kinds of Asjjidium. 

 It was originally found near Ottery 

 St. Mary, in Devonshire, also at Barnstaple and in some parts of North 

 Devon. Though a strong grower, it is very elegant, for its beautiful fronds, 

 2ift. to 3£ft. long and Gin. to 9in. broad, are of a somewhat loose habit, 

 very spreading, almost pendent, and of a tapering lance-shaped outline ; they 



Fig, 65. Portion of Frond of Aspidium annulare 

 proliferum Wollastoni 

 (4 nat. size). 



