50 
BRITISH FERNS.— SUB-ORDER II. TRIBE 8. 
THE LADY FERN. 
ASPLEN1UM FiLIX-FCEMINA. — BemflUt dl. 
(Sub-section Athyrium.) 
This common and elegant species is found throughout the United 
Kmedom and is gene?ally distributed through Europe and North 
America. It is the only species in subsection Athyrium m tins 
country A deciduous fern, luxuriating in damp, shady places, 
Sough found In open situations where there is sufficient moisture 
The Ladv Fern has a range from the sea-level to 3,000 feet, and at 
the greater heights assumes the form known as rhaticum or 
bonds' bi-tripinnate, sori oblong-lunate protected by an indu- 
sium. It is most nearly allied to the dwarf Asplenium fontanum. 
The curved sori seems to be the main distinction between Athyrium 
and Asplenium. Asplenium Filix-foemina varies in the length 
fronds from i to 3 feet. It cannot be confused with any other 
fcrn ' Varieties. 
There are many varieties of the Lady Fern, some of which are 
marvellous in structure. It has therefore been consideied desirable 
"o classify these into Divisions, Groups, and Sections. Not only 
does this^seem necessary with Asplenium Filix-foemina, but also 
with Aspidium angulare and Scolopendnum vulgare, as a means of 
shortening many cumbersome names. 
Division A. 
CHANGES IN SKELETON. 
Group I. Branching. 
Section a. RAMOSUM. (Stipes branching.) 
1. acrocladon, Moore (ramo-cristatum, Jones). Found in i860 
near Castle Howard, by Mr. Monkman. 12X11 inches (across the 
much-branched head). A remarkable form, nearly always stenle. 
.0 X 8 inches. Stipes 
bSiSr^^'' found in .866, in Lancashire, byMjh 
Hodgson. 12 X inches. Stem branching into 3 or 4 frond like 
divisions. 
*4 caudiculatum, Mapplebeck. . 
*5. cladodesteron, Lowe. Raised by myself. Length, 12 inches. 
Branched, crested, and heavy-headed. , 
■ 6. crispum, Moore. Found 111 Antrim, and at Braemar and 
Todmordcn. Length, 6 to 12 inches. A mass of densely tasselled 
br ' y^densum, Lowe (acrocladon-densum, Stansjicld). Raised by 
Messrs. F. W. and H. Stansfield, in 1878 (from acrocladon) dense 
Bonded. 
