70 
V. CYSTOTTERIS. 
The variety dentata is smaller, and grows from six 
to eight inches in height ; the pinnae are of an ovate-lau- 
ceolate form, and in the young 
fronds take a reflexed droop- 
ing convex habit ; the pin- 
nules are distinct, oblong or 
oblong-ovate, obtuse, point- 
less, deeply and bluntly 
toothed, or, in luxuriant speci- 
mens, a few of the lowest 
become pinnatifid. The sori 
also are sub-marginal, and 
often numerous. This form 
would seem to be not un- 
common, if the records con- 
cerning it are trustworthy; 
but it is to be feared that this 
is not the case. It seems to 
be more common in the north 
and in Scotland, and is 
scarcely record ed from Ireland . 
The variety Dickieanrt is 
of the average height of four 
to six inches. The fronds of 
this plant are often scarcely bi- 
pinnate, the pinnte and upper 
pinnules being frequently con- 
fluent. The pinnae are ovate-lanceolate, somewhat twisted 
round, so that one edge points backwards, and the other for- 
wards, as occurs in an equally marked way in Polyttichitm 
Lonchitis; they are also deflexed more or less. The pin- 
nules are mostly somewhat decurrent, and sometimes much 
so, broad, oblong or oblong-ovate, obtuse, having but a few 
shallow blunt notches on the margin, and lying over each 
other in an imbricate manner. The sori are less numerous 
than in dentata, and are ranged close to the margin, often 
just within the sinus of the shallow lobes. It is the most 
[Cystopteris dentata.] 
