FERNY COMBES. 
73 
tained about a dozen plants in the neighbourhood, 
and are inclined to think it not uncommon. 
S. jpolyschides . — “ Fronds linear, deeply and ir- 
regularly crenato-lohate on the margin.” We have 
found a form almost identical with this : it is never 
marginate. 
S. laeiniatvm. — “ A handsome variety, in which 
irregular portions of the frond are contracted ; these 
portions having the short distinct teeth or the 
shallow lobes of the jpolyschides type, while here 
and there other portions grow out to the normal 
width, and form blunt, rounded, or oblong project- 
ing lobes, or entire normal spaces of greater length. 
Sometimes the apex, or the base, or one side only 
of the frond, is affected.” “ Scarcely two fronds 
are alike, but the fronds are nearly always affected.” 
— Moore. 
These are the principal varieties that we have 
found in North Devon; there are several minor 
ones, but too obscure and untried to be men- 
tioned. 
It is exceedingly interesting to search out the 
diverse forms which this most uncertain species as- 
sumes, taking care always to see that all or most 
of the fronds on a plant are alike. All the varieties 
are peculiarly handsome under cultivation, and re- 
quire much less care than many of other ferns. 
