96 
TEENY COMBES. 
have found it in !N’orth Devon, it is certainly not 
common. , 
Lasteea dilatata. Broad B richly -toothed Shield 
Fern. 
Fronds growing in a circle round the crovTi, 
and drooping outwards. Fronds sub-triangular or 
broad egg-shaped, attaining a great size ; twice or 
thrice divided according to its development. The 
pinnules of the two lower pinnae are very much 
larger on the lower than on the upper side of the 
midrib, almost twice as long. The pinnules divided 
to their midrib, serrated, each serrature terminat- 
ing in a short spine ; scales, in the most common 
form, dark brown with a black centre. There is a 
triangular form ansvrering the above description in 
all points excepting the shape of the frond; this 
likewise attains a great size. 
Var. valida . — This plant grows stiff and upright, 
and is of a leafy fleshy character. In some in- 
stances the pinnules and pinnse overlap one another 
in a remarkable manner ; the fronds in this case 
are usually barren. It has red-brown scales, and 
the serratures are not so deep, nor the spines so 
numerous, as in the normal form of dilatata. This 
fern was only recorded or known in Jersey till 
found by us at Westdown about two years ago ; 
