144 VIII. ATIIYKH'M. 
unequal that is, the anterior side largest, flat, stalked, 
and so closely placed that they overlap in every part of 
the frond ; they are laciniate at the base, the lobes being 
oblong and irregularly toothed, and towards their apex 
become simply toothed, the teeth usually but unequally 
taper-pointed. The veins (as well as secondary rachis) 
are coloured red ; in the lobed portion of the pinnule they 
branch into as many simple venules as there are teeth to 
the lobe ; the lowest anterior venule which issues at some 
distance from the base of the vein, bearing a sorus, which 
is usually placed very near the point of forking ; the veins 
are nearly or quite simple, in the upper or toothed portion 
of the pinnules. The son are oblong, very frequently curved 
or arcuate, and ranged in a row on each side the midrib, 
at the distance from it of about their own length. This 
form has been found near Keswick by Miss Wright, and, 
according to Mr. Newman it was gathered by Miss 
Beever also ; but I learn from this lady that the habitat 
whence she supposes it must have been obtained is de- 
stroyed. I am indebted to C. C. Babington, Esq., for 
an authentic specimen, to which the preceding description 
applies. 
The variety molle is the smallest and least divided nor- 
mal form of Lady Fern. The fronds are generally from 
foot to a foot and a half in height, evenly lance-shaped, 
bipinnate or sub-bipinnate, flaccid, and of a bright green. 
Sometimes the pinnae are only pinnatifid, and the plant 
is moreover variable in size. In its larger and some- 
what more divided state it is the Athyrium trifidum. The 
pinnae are taper-pointed, broadest at the base, about three 
inches long, approximate above, the lower ones being dis- 
tant, blunter, and the lowest scarcely exceeding an inch 
in length. The pinnules are oblong obtuse, the lowest 
anterior ones being longest, flat, rather closely placed, 
and more or less connected by their decurrent bases. They 
are cut into oblong lobes, toothed principally at the extre- 
mity. The sori are short, subrotund, and placed so near 
