CHAPTER VII. 
THE ANNUAL MAIDENHAIR. 
Gymnogramma leptophylla. 
^OME general resemblance to the Maidenhair 
in the arrangement of frond and leaflet, has 
entitled the Slender Gymnogram to the name of 
“ The Annual Maidenhair.” But this very pretty 
plant is distinguished from all our British ferns by 
the short period of its existence — springing up and 
dying within the year. A tiny thing it is, only 
three or four inches in length, its fronds rising from 
a tufted root-stock, their leafy parts being longer 
than their stems, which are of a brownish colour, 
and smooth. The fronds on the same plant 
are graduated in length, preserving no regular 
shape ; those at first starting from the root being 
shorter and less prolific than those which suc- 
ceed. They are somewhat irregularly divided into 
