26 BRITISH FERNS. — SUB-ORDER II. TRIBE 6. 
The fronds are bipinnate, and in some varieties tripinnate, 
varying in length from a few inches to 2 feet, according to locality. 
In some parts of the Burren, 
in County Clare, it assumes its 
maximum size. The sori are 
situated on the apex of the 
lobes, in marginal lines, the 
indusium being the reflexed 
portion of the apex of the lobe. 
The stipes and rachis are slen- 
der, eboneous, and shining. 
The fronds are thin, membra- 
nous, and a vivid green. 
It is a beautiful and graceful 
fern. 
Found in Cornwall, Devonshire, Somersetshire (Clevedon, by 
Air. L. H. Grindon ; Cheddar, by the Rev. W. H. Hawker; and 
Combe Down, near Bath, a single plant, E. J. L.)t ; Clea Hill 
Shropshire, by Mr. Westcott ; Glamorgan and Barry Island 
(E. J. L.) ; Galway, Kerry, Clare, Kincardineshire, Jersey, Guernsey , 
Isle of Man, and Arran Isles. 
It is a native of very many temperate and hot countries, occur- 
ring in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, 
Greece, Turkey, Persia, Java, China, Dalmatia, India, Syria, 
Siberia, Caucasus, Egypt, Abyssinia, Algiers, Madeira, Canary, 
Azores, Aladagascar, Natal, Alabama, California, Texas, Mexico, 
Guatemala, Caraccas, Chili, Trinidad, St. Vincent, Jamaica, 
Sandwich Islands, etc. 
Varieties. 
*1. admirabile, Lowe. Raised by myself. Length, 2 feet. Stout 
and distinct ; and no Adiantum makes a better specimen. Basal 
pinnae descending. 
*2. angustatum, Lowe (bulbiferum, C/apham). Dwarf, and when 
sent to me by the late Mr. Clapham, the fronds literally covered 
with young plants. There were no perfect spores ; and had it come 
under the keen eye of Mr. Druery, he would have seen another 
case of apospory ? 
*3. autumnale, Lowe. Raised by myself. Slender fronds, golden 
in colour. Length, 18 inches. 
4. Clorinda, Lowe. Raised by myself. Length, 20 inches. 
Robust, with upright habit. Stipes long, stout, and eboneous. 
Pinnules cuneate, the ultimate one not larger. Indusium dark and 
conspicuous. 
5. Cornubiense, Moore. Found in 1868, near Hayle (Cornwall), 
by Mr. PI. H. Trevethick. A large plumose variety. Pinnules 
deeply divided into ten or twelve narrow fringed divisions. 
*6. Daphnites, Lowe. A remarkable form, raised from spores 
from a frond given to me by Sir Joseph Hooker, about twenty- 
Fig. 7.— Portion of frond, under side of 
Adiantum Capillus-Veneris (showing 
fructification). 
+ Recently another plant has been found. 
