A THYR1UM. 
I23 
are normal, except that the apex of each pinnule is divided into numerous segments, thus 
possessing a tassel-like appearance. A less divided form attracted the attention of British 
botanists long since; it is figured by Plukenet in his “ Phytographia” (1691), and was found by 
Sir Thomas Willoughby on Lichfield Minster. The variety corymbiferum is an exaggerated 
form of the foregoing ; in this the terminal pinna is very much developed and divided 
into a large number of tassels, thus having a corymbose appearance, and resembling some- 
what in outline the well-known garden Cock’s-comb, which is itself a monstrous state of 
Celosia cristata. Among the forms with distinctly branched fronds, two elegant dwarf plants 
may be noticed. The variety crispum is usually about six or eight inches long, having 
fronds which are branched in various ways, the apex of each pinna being tasselled ; in 
appearance it resembles a tuft of fine curled parsley. The variety acrocladon much resembles 
this in habit, but the pinnae, instead of being tasselled, are drawn out into slender points. 
It would be easy to extend our account of these and similar varieties, but enough has 
been said to indicate the direction which they take ; their interest, too^ is rather cultural 
than strictly botanical. 
