38 
TEE MOUNTAIN PARSLEY FERN. 
The segments or leaflets into which they are cnt are 
more or less wedge-shaped and notched or cleft at 
their ends. The fertile fronds have the leaflets of an 
oval or oblong or linear form. The venation of the 
barren fronds consists of a slender vein extending 
along each pinnule, casting off another into each of 
its lobes, this again alternately branching, one branch 
being directed towards every marginal point. In the 
fertile fronds a midvein enters each ultimate division 
and passes sinuously to its point, throwing out nearly 
to the margin alternate veins, usually simple but 
sometimes forked, bearing a sorus near their ends. 
The fructification usually occupies the whole system. 
The sori small, roundish, at first distinct though con¬ 
tiguous, ultimately becoming laterally confluent and 
forming a continuous line. Spore-cases small, elliptic 
obovate, stalked. Spores smooth, roundish, oblong 
or bluntly triangular. 
The Mountain Parsley Fern is peculiarly a mountain 
plant, delighting in the shades and corners of boulders, 
and to be among loose slate stones, and at the feet of 
the unmortared walls that wind about the fells and 
mountains. It is well-fitted therefore for garden 
rockeries ; but it is apt to die off in winter if allowed 
to be too damp. 
HABITATS. 
Skiddaw, Keswick, Whinlatter, (W. Christy ), 
Borrowdale, Ennerdale, Scafell, Helvellyn, Blen- 
cathra, Kirkstone Pass, Ambleside, Coniston, Gras- 
