Cistopt eris Fragilis, Bernhardt. 
BRITTLE BLADDER FERN. 
Root — Black and wiry, caudex small and somewhat 
flat. 
Frond — Lanceolate, bipinnate, from four to sixteen inches 
long. 
Stipes — One-third the length of the frond, varying, in 
that respect, with the situation of the plant. 
Pinnae — Lanceolate, alternate, pinnate ; the lower pair 
often deflexed, and shorter than the second pair. 
Pinnules — Oblong-ovate, linear, or lanceolate, deeply 
pinnatifid, serrated. 
V enation — Costa sinuous, lateral veins branched. 
Fructification — Clusters of capsules near the extremity 
of each vein, upon a membranous envelope. 
Habitat — Clefts of stone, in walls and mines ; on high 
and exposed situations, dwarf in all respects. A variable 
species, attaining the greatest perfection in wide. fissures of 
rocks. When dwarf, compact, and with simple pinnse, re- 
sembling but distinguishable from Woodsia by the fruit. 
Locality — Plentiful about Matlock, Buxton, and in all 
the limestone districts ; occasionally on sandstone. 
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