52 



A FEBN BOOK FOB EVERYBODY. 



indicating the varialility in the tufts or clusters of spore- 

 cases. 



The fronds are of two kinds, which differ considerably 

 in appearance. In the fertile frond the edges of the 

 leaflets are rolled backwards. In the young state the 

 tufts of spore-cases are decidedly round, but, as they 

 mature, become confused together so as almost to cover 

 the leaflets. Only one species is British. 



PAESLEY PERN.^ 



Making a little poetical allowance, this fern may be 

 said to resemble a tuft of parsley, as its name indicates. 

 It sometimes bears the name of Mountain Parsley, and, 

 with less propriety, " Eock Brakes," for it certainly has 

 not the most remote resemblance to the common Brake, 

 or Bracken, and therefore the latter name is only calcu- 

 lated to mislead. The early fronds of this fern are grown 

 in the spring, about May, and are barren. The fertile 

 fronds are longer, with a very different appearance, and 

 are developed k^^er in the summer. To describe the 

 form of the barren fronds is like attempting to describe 

 a parsley-leaf, not to be done very briefly or very satis- 

 factorily without resorting to technicalities. They are 

 about 6 or 7 inches in length, two-thirds of which is 

 occupied by the stalk ; the rest is of a long triangular 

 outline, branched and divided into a great number of 

 wedge-shaped leaflets, which are notched at the end. The 

 fertile fronds are rather longer, and the leaflets are nar- 

 rowly oblong. The clusters of spore-cases, though when 

 young distinctly circular on the backs of the leaflets, 

 soon spread into each other and cover the entire surface. 

 (Plate III., figs. 2, 8.) 



The Parsley Fern is rather a local species, being found 

 chiefly in mountainous localities in the north of England 

 and Wales. Even there a stranger may wander day after 

 day and not meet with a plant for several days. 



*Allosoru8 erispuSi Bekb:. 



