Bolton’s woodsia. 
147 
particular vein appears to possess a very decided superiority over 
the others ; they are occasionally simple, but generally divided 
into two or three branches ; they do not 
quite reach the margin of the pinna ; 
and the clusters of capsules, when pre- 
sent, are placed at their extremity : fig. a 
represents a pinna of the present species 
with the capsules in situ ; fig. h shows 
the venation, and the points of attachment 
of the capsules after their removal. It 
may also here be observed that fig. c 
represents a somewhat intermediate form 
from Scotland ; fig. d another from Llyn- 
y-cwn ; and fig. e a plant of the present 
species from Ben Lawers : the block was 
cut for the first edition, but represents the 
plant so accurately that I did not like to 
cancel it, although both species have been 
re-engraved from other specimens. 
Concerning the distinctness of species 
so similar as this and the preceding, much 
difference of opinion must always prevail. 
It will be seen, by my quotation from 
Bolton, that that author strongly insists 
on maintaining them as species. Sir J. 
E. Smith also considers them distinct ; he 
contrasts their characters in these words : 
Rather smaller than the foregoing, and 
less upright, with a more rusty aspect. 
Stalk less elastic. Leaflets shorter, round- 
er, with more rounded lobes, and broader 
at the base, not quite so deeply pinnatifid 
The 
two species 
appear to me to be very distinct, though similar.”^- Sadler gives 
them as distinct without a comment, but does not appear to me 
to distinguish them very cleverly by his descriptions.f Wahlen- 
berg insists on their distinctness, drawing an elaborate contrast 
^ Eng. Flor. iv. 31 1 . 
t De Filicibus Vevis, &c. — p. 45. 
