138 
BEAKE. Tteris Aguilina. 
See fage 73 , 
1. Much-divided Brake. Multijida. W. Here we have 
the tips of some of the branches or leaflets forked or divided 
into three or four segments. Simple as this difierence may 
be, it strikes the eye of the beholder and the Bracken 
appears an altered plant. Charmouth. at Greenway Head. 
2. Curled Brake. Crispa. W. Tms is so densely and 
peculiarly curled that to an unobservant eye it would 
appear to be blighted. Axminster, at Secktor. 
3. Variegated Brake. Variegata. Of this two forms 
have been found : one at Charmouth peppered all over with 
white dots, another at Hawkchurch having a light streak 
in the leafy portion of the frond. M. 
An account has been given of very many varieties 
or abnormal forms of various species of our Eerns. In some 
of these the difference is very slight ; in others so great 
that a person uninformed would think it impossible that they 
constitute the same species. It may be very properly 
asserted, that many are monstrosities, not varieties, and 
therefore not to be noticed. If, however, we cast away all 
monstrosities and deem them not worthy our consideration, 
our gardens and our shrubberies would lose much of their 
beauty and elegance. What is it that makes the borders 
and parterres of our nobility and gentry appear so lovely ? 
Eor what are handsome prizes offered at our Eloricultural 
and Horticultural Meetings ? What is it that the nursery- 
man and gardener strive to produce by dint of the most 
skilful cultivation ? Monstrosities. The single rose and 
stock is nature’s production ; the double rose and double 
stock are monstrosities, deviations from nature’s ordinary 
course. If the matter be considered in a scientific point of 
view, very few that have been mentioned are varieties. If 
we meet with one man in England, and another in India, 
seven feet and a half high, and with a dwarf, in like manner, 
