WILSON’S FERN. 
161 
pair of pinnae being, as in the species just named, nearly opposite, 
and very much larger than any of the others, indeed nearly equal- 
ling in size all the rest : these pinnae are pinnate, the pinnules 
also pinnate; the lobes deeply pinnatifid, and their divisions 
also notched : it is, therefore, one of the most compound of our 
ferns, in this respect equalling even the Common Brakes : the 
second pair of pinnae are nearly opposite, but the remainder 
gradually become alternate. The first inferior pinnule of the 
lower pair is very much larger and more divided than the first 
superior pinnule of the same pair ; this disproportion decreases 
gradually, until, at the apex of the pinna, its opposite pinnules 
nearly correspond in size. 
All the specimens found by Mr. Wilson were without fruit, 
^but this is an evident departure from the usual character of the 
fern, the entire under surface being commonly covered with clus- 
ters of capsules. Mr. E. Forster has very kindly lent me, for 
the present work, a Swiss specimen, which is just in that state 
of incipient fructification which best displays its characters, and 
in every respect the similarity to that of C.fragilis is very close. 
The lateral veins are alternate ; each generally ceases in a sinus 
between two serratures : the involucre is attached at the back 
of each lateral vein, and bends forward over the capsules in the 
manner of a hood ; its free anterior margin is jagged and un- 
even, and opens outwards towards the point of the serrature. 
The masses of capsules are nearly circular, and become very 
prominent when mature ; although crowded, each appears to re- 
tain its individuality, and they never seem to become perfectly 
confluent. 
M 
