30 
liay-scented, and the spinous shield Ferns, (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, Hew- 
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 allu- 
sion to the turning up of the edges of the leafiets, and 
the other fsBnisecii (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 Verd Islands. As has been already stated, 
there are a variety of names given to this species. Newman 
calls it Lophodium facnisecii. Hooker, Nephrodium spinu- 
losum mr, semulum. Moore, Lastrea semula. 
This is one of our scarcest Ferns. We have found it in 
a boggy wood on the north-western side of Uplyme, and at 
Greenway-head, near Monkton Wylde, on a hedge-bank close 
to the turnpike road between Axminster and Charmouth. 
“ Tky desire, wkick tends to know 
The works of Grod, thereby to glorify 
The great Work-master, leads to no excess 
That reaches blame, but rather merits praise. 
For wonderful indeed are all His works. 
Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all 
Had in remembrance always with delight.” — Milton. 
Plate I, fig. 9. 
5. Spinous Fern. Lastrea spinulosa. This Fern is more 
erect than the two preceding species. Neither do its leaflets 
curl upwards, and if they slope at all, it is very slightly 
downwards. All three are tripinnate, i. e. the pinnules of the 
pinnae are pinnate, or, in other words, the branchlets of the 
branches are branched. Sometimes in this species the frond 
is only bipinnate, and Hooker so describes it. The lower 
