74 
means symmetrical. When the pinnules have no stalk, 
they have a rather broad attachment. The preceding vari- 
eties have each pinna distant from the next, and in dried 
specimens appear quite distinct. In this variety, the vege- 
tation is so luxuriant that one crowds upon and laps over 
its neighbour, so that it cannot by any contrivance be sepa- 
rated, In the variety (No. I.) the lobes of the leaflets are 
toothed at their edges, but the teeth are not very long or 
very conspicuous. In this, the much longer teeth and jagged 
edges of the lobes have a most pleasing and delightful efiect 
on the eye. The leaves are flat, not bent down as they are 
in the convex or erect Lady Fern. No bristle points are 
visible as in the Prickly Fern. This beautiful, charming, 
and lovely variety is another of those interesting plants 
with which our neighbourhood is so richly supplied, and it 
seems that a journey must be taken to Yorkshire ere we 
can find it growing in its natural haunt again. It grows in 
a meadow in the southern division of Stockland parish. 
In this instance we see a striking difierence between a 
species and a variety. To an ordinary eye, or to a young 
botanist, it would appear that the Plumous Lady Fern was 
most certainly a distinct species. The plant appears so 
much superior, the vegetation so remarkably more luxuriant, 
the various lobes and leaflets so deeply and elegantly cut, 
that it could never be imagined to be identical with the 
usual form of this Pern. When, however, any one sits 
down and attempts to point out any unvarying distinction, 
he perceives that the difierence only consists in the fuller 
development of the plant and the magnified representation 
of every feature. 
Maidenhair Spleenwort. Asplenimi tricJiomanes. 
See 'page 41. 
Forked Maidenhair Spleenwort. 'Furcatum. This differs 
from the usual character of the Maidenhair Spleenwort in 
having its head divided into two or three branches. Plants 
have been found in the hedge-bank of a lane between Alston 
and Churchill, in the Parish of Chardstock. Many fronds, 
but not all on the same root-stock are forked. 
