THE HARD PERN. 
97 
B. S. serratum (saw-edged), Airey, Nos. 1 and 2. These 
are two splendid varieties which, in our opinion, are misnamed. 
No. 1 (18) is absolutely tripinnate, i.e., thrice divided, and 
constitutes the nearest approach to the plumose state of the 
species. It is tolerably robust, and forms a large plant, rarely, 
if ever, fertile, though somewhat contracted and longer fronds 
are thrown up. They soon, however, assume a leafier character, 
aud join their barren and pendent fellows. No. 2 (15) is very 
handsome, but is not nearly so much divided; this bears 
really fertile fronds, and when well grown has a striking like- 
ness to the Holly Fern {PolysticJium Lonchitis). 
B. S. sub-plumosum (somewhat feathery), Phillips (16). A 
very fine leafy form, but hardly plumose. 
B. S. trinervium corouans (three-nerved, crowned), Barnes 
(Plate III., 11, and Fig. 23). Syn. multifurcatum (much- 
forked). The latter is the fitter name. Trinervium implies 
that the two lowest pinnse are developed more than the rest, 
which very rarely occurs in this variety, though it does 
occasionally. The crest is peculiar, consisting of numerous 
stiff, radiating points (many-forked) ; hence the latter name 
describes it. Wild find, very distinct and beautiful. 
B. S. trinervium, Phillips. Two basal lobes developed 
into small fronds. An inconstant form, but worthy of mention, 
as it exists in large numbers in the exposed pastures on the 
Mourne Mountains in Ireland. Under culture we find it 
loses its character. Mr. G. B. Wollaston found a similar 
form in Kent. 
B. S. trinervium, Hodgson (5). In this the name is right 
enough, every frond being, as it were, triple, the two bottom 
pinnse being developed into veritable fronds, and sometimes 
duplicated in addition. Yery remarkable wild find. 
H 
