AND MOSSES. 97 
tain to the Spear-shaped Spleenwort, and mark them, well ; 
for, otherwise, the differences of the three varieties may 
elude your vigilance. The form of the frond, as noticed by 
an experienced botanist, is various, and owes much of its 
variety to dissimilar situations. "The first is of erect 
growth, nearly linear, and simply pinnate, the pinnoe being 
1st Variety. 
stalked and lobed. In this form it produces seed abun- 
dantly ; the masses, when fully grown, are perfectly cir- 
cular ; and such is their mode of growth, every part of the 
frond being perfectly flat, and the entire part ridged." 
' ' A second variety, of pendent growth and larger size, is 
lanceolate as regards its form ; the pinna) are pinnate ; the 
pinnulae stalked, serrated, and somewhat quadrate ; the 
2nd Variety. 
fronds often, reach to a foot in length ; they usually issue 
from dark holes or shaded spots, and the lower pair of pinnae 
are .often bleached, weak, and of small size the surface 
being generally flat, although occasionally slightly con- 
cave ; when this occurs each pinula partakes more or less 
H 
