ASPLENIUM. 



489 



pinnate (four times divided to the midrib). The absence of the linear 

 (very narrow) segments and the blunt character of the teeth cause the form 

 to be distinct. — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, ii., p. 183. 



A. A.-n. grandiceps— gran'-dic-eps (large-crested), Lowe. 



A most remarkable form, originally found growing wild in an old wall 

 at Tramore, County of Waterford, Ireland, and one which seldom, if ever, 

 attains the dimensions of the typical species. Its fronds, Sin. to 12in. long, 

 including the stipes (stalks), have a depauperated (impoverished) appearance ; 

 they are only lin. to Ifin. broad, on account of the pinna? (leaflets) being 

 short and slightly crested ; even 

 these leaflets — which are variously 

 cut, ditfer much from each other 

 in form, and are much serrated on 

 the margirs — are produced sparingly 

 (Fig. 77), only three or four of 

 them being found on a stalk, the 

 greater portion of which is naked. 

 The most distinguishing character 

 of this variety, however, resides in 

 the apex (terminal portion) of the 

 frond, the stalk of which dilates 

 and becomes flat, then branching 

 and dividing many times expands 

 into a broad crest, wedge-shaped 



at the base, and which gives the frond a very graceful outline ; whereas 

 the smaller tassels at the ends of the pinnas render it very effective. This 

 singular form has not been known to reproduce itself true from spores, and 

 it is propagated exclusively by the division of the crowns. — Lowe, Our Native 

 Ferns, ii., p. 177, fig. 520. Nicholson, Dictionary of Gardening, L, p. 128. 



A. A.-n. incisum — in-ci'-sum (cut), Clapham. 



This very singular variety was originally found growing wild between 

 Whitby and Scarborough. It is of smaller dimensions than most other forms, 

 for its dwarf, ovate (egg-shaped) or ovate-triangular fronds, three times 



3 & 



Fig. 77. Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum grandiceps 

 (J nat. size). 



