224 
ASPIDIACE^. 
quoted, I fear tliat I shall be able to add scarcely anything more 
satisfactory. With regard to the outline of the frond, my spe- 
cimens are so various as to offer among themselves as great a 
contrast as we find between any two species of the genus : the 
extremes of form appear to be the regular deltoid and the narrow 
elongate-lanceolate, more gradually attenuated towards either 
end than the normal form of L. multijiora, I take the deltoid 
for the younger, and the lanceolate for the older plant : a root 
found by Mr. Finder near Chapel Styles in Westmoreland, bear- 
ing fronds of an intermediate form, produced in cultivation com- 
pletely lanceolate fronds. I therefore introduce a short descrip- 
tion of the lanceolate, supposing it the mature form. Stem half 
as long as the frond, which is elongate-lanceolate and pinnate, 
the pinnae are very distinct, and set on at nearly right angles 
with the main stem ; the first pair are obtusely deltoid, the se- 
cond elongate-deltoid, and the remainder nearly linear with acu- 
minate apices ; all are pinnate, the pinnae ovate obtuse, slightly 
auricled and regularly toothed ; their attachment to the mid- 
stem of the pinnae resembles that inZ. spinosa; there is less ap- 
pearance of a stalk than in L. multijlora, and the spines of the 
serratures are far less distinct than in either of these species. All 
the pinnae bear seed, but the lower pair less abundantly ; the 
clusters are proportionately larger than in L. multijlora : they 
are crowded and become confluent, completely hiding the mid- 
rib of the pinnules. The stem is pale green, with dark brown 
scales, much resembling in form and colour those of L. vriulti- 
Jlora, the involucre also, as far as I can learn from my specimens, 
exhibits no discrepancies. Should this fern prove distinct as a 
species, which I anticipate will be the case when we have more 
copious materials for forming an opinion, I beg to propose that 
it be called Lastrma collina^ and that it bear the English name 
of ‘‘ Finder’s Fern,” in compliment to the gentleman who first 
called my attention to its remarkable difference from the usual 
form of L. multijlora ; provided always that it proves to be 
undescribed. 
I am indebted to Mr. Finder for a fourth very beautiful variety, 
which occurs at Madeley, Staffordshire ; but as this seems con- 
fined to a few examples, 1 forbear further notice of it. 
