50 
BRITISH FERNS.— SUB-ORDER II. TRIBE 8. 
THE LADY FERN. 
Asplenium Filix-fcemina.— Bernhardt. 
(Sub-section Athyrium.) 
This common and elegant species is found throughout the United 
Kingdom, and is generally distributed through Europe and North 
America. It is the only species in subsection Athyrium in this 
country. A deciduous fern, luxuriating in damp, shady places, 
though found in open situations where there is sufficient moisture. 
The°Lady Fern has a range from the sea-level to 3,000 feet, and at 
the greater heights assumes the form known as rhaticwn or 
irriguum. . , 
Fronds bi-tripinnate, sori oblong-lunate protected by an mdit- 
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 of its 
fronds from 1 to 3 feet. It cannot be confused with any other 
fern. 
Varieties. 
There are many varieties of the Lady Fern, some of which are 
marvellous in structure. It has therefore been considered desirable 
to classify these into Divisions, Groups, and Sections. Not only 
does this seem necessary with Asplenium Filix-fcemina, but also 
with Aspidium angulare and Scolopendrium vulgare, as a means of 
shortening many cumbersome names. 
Division A. 
CHANGES IN SKELETON. 
Group I. Branching. 
Section a. RAMOSUM. (Stipes branching.) 
1. a c rod ado n, Moore (ramo-cristatum, Joties). Found in i860, 
near Castle Howard, by Mr. Monkman. 12x11 inches (across the 
much-branched head). A remarkable form, neaily always sterile. 
I have a batch of promising seedlings. 
*2. apioides, Lowe. Raised by myself. 10 X S inches. Stipes 
branching, very parsley-like. . # ... 
3. brachiatum, Hodgson. Found in i860, in Lancashiie, by Mis. 
Hodgson. 12 X 2| 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 in Antrim, and at Braemar and 
Todmordcn. Length, 6 to 12 inches, A mass of densely tasselled 
branches. . 
7. densum, Lowe (acrocladon-dcnsum, Stansficld). Raised by 
Messrs. F. W. and Id. Stansfield, in 1878 (from acrocladon) dense 
fronded. 
