Synopsis of Canadian Ferns and Filicoid Plants. 115 



/3. serratum. — Lobes of the pinnae ovate-oblong, approximate, strongly 

 and incisely serrate. This may be regarded as a sub- variety. — Belle- 

 ville, J. Macoim. 



[A. montanum, Willd ., which extends along the Alleghanies, has not 

 yet been found in Canada, but may possibly occur. It grows on cliffs.] 



[A. Buta-murarla, Linn. — The wall-rue, a small species, which grows 

 in the crevices of limestone cliffs in the Northern States, and is common 

 on stone walls and old buildings in Britain, is to be looked for in 

 Canada.] 



Athyrium. 



A. Filix-fceinina, R. Br.— Frond ample (1-3 feet long), broadly 

 oblong-lanceolate, bipinnate ; pinnoe also lanceolate ; pinnules ovate- 

 lanceolate or oblong, incisely toothed. Grows in large tufts, the fronds 

 delicate, of a bright green hue. Lady Fern of the poets. Athyrium 

 Filix-fcemina, R. Br., Spreng., Roth., Hook., Moore, &c. Aspidium 

 FUix-foemma, Swartz, Pursh, Beck. Aspidium asplenioides, Swartz, 

 Willd., Pursh. Asplen'mm Athyrium, Schkr. Asplenium Michauxii, 

 Spreng. Asplenium Filix-foemina, A. Gray Man., p. 595- Nephro- 

 dium asplenioides and Filix-foemina, Michx. Asplenium angustum, 

 AVilld., Pursh. — Common in the woods, as near Kingston, Toronto, 

 Trenton, &c. ; Peche River, Ottawa, Dr M'Gillivray ; Temiscouata, Chip- 

 pawa and Maiden, P. W. Maclagan, M.D. ; Belleville, moist woods, very 

 common, several varieties, J. Macoun ; Ramsay, Rev. J. K. M'Morine, 

 M.A. ; mouth of the Awaganissis Brook, Gulf of St Lawrence, C.E., 

 and Schibwah River, Lake Superior, R. Bell, jr. ; Cemetery grounds, 

 Hamilton, and on Princes Island, Judge Logie ; Hamilton's Farm and 

 base of Silver Mt , W. S. M. D TIrbati; Mountain Fall, H. B. T., 

 Governor M'Tavish ; Snake Hill River, John C. Schultz, M.D. ; L'Anse 

 a la Barbe, Gaspe and L'Orignal, John Bell, B.A. ; St Tite, M. L'Abbe 

 Provancher ; London, W. Saunders. 



j3. angustum. — Frond narrow, linear-lanceolate ; pinnae rather 

 crowded ; pinnules not pinnatifid, but incisely toothed, with recurved 

 margins ; sori short, curved (Aspidiujn angustum, Willd, ?) — Farmers- 

 ville ; Delta ; Belleville, J. Macoun. 



y. rhcEticum. — -Frond rather small, firm, narrowly lanceolate in out- 

 line ; pinnae more or less distant, and narrowly lanceolate ; pinnules 

 incisely toothed or deepl}^ pinnatifid, linear, or more frequently lanceolate- 

 acute, and acquiring a linear aspect from the reflection of the lobes, 

 often crowded with confluent sori. — Dr Yates's farm, on the banks of 

 the St Lawrence, near Kingston ; near Montreal, Rev. E. M. Epstein, 

 M.D. ; near Lakefield, North Douro, Mrs Traill. 



3. rigidum. — Frond small, rigid ; pinnules approximate, connected 

 at the base by a broad decurrent membrane, sori confined to the lower 

 part of each pinnule. — Lakefield, North Douro, Mrs Traill. 



There are other forms of this species, dependent in many cases, no 

 doubt, upon situation ; some with thin veiny fronds of great size, bearing 

 few scattered sori. One form, very like the British var. molle, was 

 gathered at Belleville by Mr Macoun. I know no fern more variable 

 than this. Our Canadian forms require careful examination. 



