72 
6. Variegated Angular Prickly Fern. Variegatim, A plant 
has been found in the neighbourhood of Hawkchurch, which 
is decidedly variegated with yellowish white. This has been 
tested for three years. As the black stemmed Spleenwort 
has been discovered, and foreign Ferns likewise, dappled 
with green and white, it is not surprising that ' this locality 
should have a Prickly Fern of this character likewise. Mr. 
Moly, of Hawkchurch, the discoverer of the plant, has 
transplanted it into his garden. 
Lady Feen. Aihyrium filioc femina. 
See 'page 38 . 
1. Deep-cut or incised Lady Fern. Incisum, This is a 
very fine and luxuriant form of the Lady Ferns, attaining 
the height of three or four feet. The root-stock is stout 
and firmly rooted. The fronds are large, broadly lance- 
shaped, and though not quite erect, may be described as 
slanting or gracefully drooping. The foliage is soft, the stalk 
and rachis are quite stiff and rigid. The stalk is about a 
fourth the length of the frond, black, and thickened at the 
lowest part. The mid-stem is by no means transparent. 
The pinnae have distinct leaves, and would be linear if they 
did not taper towards the summit. The leaflets are large, 
long, gradually tapering, and deeply divided. Where they 
divide, the slit reaches almost to the mid-rib. These are 
also flat and have at the ends of their lobes two or three teeth. 
These lobes or segments are oblong, and have sometimes also 
at the sides a few sharp teeth. The clusters of fruit are 
generally curved, and when the covers disappear, are often 
crescent-formed rather than circular. This variety is com- 
mon, and grows abundantly under hedge-banks where there 
are little purling streams. Magnificent specimens of this 
variety grow on the hedge-bank of a lane between Broad- 
winsor and Stoke. 
2. Erect Lady Fern. Convexum, Newman. JRJioeticum, 
Moore. This is more delicate and frail, of a pale green 
colour, and a softer texture. The root-stock is very stout, 
firmly fixed in the soil, and diflS.cult to be eradicated. The 
