43 
The old Herbalists and Eay do not seem to have noticed 
the distinctions of the three species, the dark-scaled, the 
hay-scented, and the spinous shield Eerns (Lastrea dilatata, 
fsenisecii, and spinulosa.) We must not be surprised at 
this, when Hooker and Bentham, two eminent Botanists 
of the present day, pronounce these three to be only 
varieties of the same plant. We agree with Moore, New- 
man, and Babington, in thinking that they are distinct. 
In some cases they may approach very near to one another, 
still there are certain definable lines of demarcation between 
them. Mr. Bree in Cornwall, and Mr. Lowe in Madeira, 
were the first to call attention to this plant, if we except 
Dr. Solander. The one called it recurvum, curved back, in 
allusion to the turning up of the edges of the leafiets, and 
the other faenisecii (of cut hay or hay-scented) because 
of the scent of hay which it emits. It is found in various 
parts of England, especially Cornwall and Devonshire. Mr. 
Lowe noticed it in Madeira, and Newman adds the Azores 
and the Cape de Verde Islands. As has been already stated, 
there are a variety of names given to this species. Newmaij. 
calls it Lophodium fsenisecii. Hooker Nephrodium spinu- 
losum mr, semulum. Moore Lastrea semula. 
The localities of this Bern are — 
* Cotleigh ; hedge-bank on the road to Honiton. 
*Monkton Wylde ; near Gamekeeper’s Lodge. 
Southleigh ; Wiscombe Wood. 
Stockland ; Harner Hill. 
Hplyme ; boggy wood on the north-west side, and 
Green way head. 
* Winsham ; Baymoor Copse. 
