232 
THE FERN WORLD 
abundance of fibrous rootlets. The fronds grow up in a 
mass of tufts, and are of two kinds, barren and fertile. The 
former grow to a height of from four to eight inches, and 
the latter to a height of from six or seven to twelve inches. 
In both the stipes is longer than the leafy portion of the 
frond, and of a very pale green, sometimes almost white. 
The barren fronds are bi-pinnate, sometimes in large highly 
developed specimens, nearly tri -pinnate. The general outline 
of the barren frond is triangular, broadest at the base, and 
somewhat bluntly pointed at the apex. Alternately placed 
on each side of the rachis are the pinnae, or primary divisions 
of the frond, and these are of the same general shape as 
the frond, namely, triangular. Alternately placed along the 
pinnae, and on each side of their mid-stems are a series of 
bluntly wedge-shaped pinnules, which, when they become 
again divided, making the frond tri-pinnate, are also bluntly 
wedge-shaped. The lobes — or ultimate divisions of the 
frond — have their outer margins deeply fringed, cleft, or 
serrated. The venation of the lobes consists of a tortuous 
mid-vein, with forked venules running from it to the 
segments of the lobes. In the fertile fronds the general 
outline and arrangement of pinnae, pinnules, and lobes are 
the same as in the barren ones; but the lobes or ultimate 
divisions of the pinnm are much contracted, in order to 
provide a kind of rough cover for the spore cases. The 
latter are borne on the venules of the lobes, and are covered 
by the lobe margins, which on each side are reflexed or bent 
under, to cover them, the edges of the lobes at first almost 
meeting midway ; but afterwards becoming opened or thrust 
back, to admit of the escape of the ripened spores, which, as 
we have seen, have by that time run together, or become 
confluent at the backs of the lobes. 
Distribution. — In Europe the Parsley Fern is found in 
Denmark, France, German v, Hungary, Italy, Lapland, 
