104 ’ 
HISTORY OF BRITISH FERNS. 
of the pinnnule, so as, in fact, usually almost to reach to 
its apex. 
The variety paleacea, the L. Borreri of Newman, is 
chiefly remarkable for the abundant and usually golden- 
tinted scales which clothe its stipes and rachis. It is 
normal in form, variable in size, deep green above, and of 
a pale glaucous green beneath ; the pinnules are remark¬ 
ably blunt at the apex, and the margin of the indusium 
is strongly inflected, so that the sori are not liable to spread 
out as they do in the other forms. It is a not uncommon 
variety. 
The variety pumila has the pinnules changed into small • 
rounded lobes, and the fructification reduced to a single 
row of spore-cases on each side the rib of the pinnae. This 
has also been called Lastrea Filix-mas abbreviata, and is 
very distinct and permanent. 
One of the most remarkable variations occurs in the 
variety cristata, which is one of the most beautiful of 
British Ferns. In this, the points of the frond and of the 
pinnae are dilated into a fringe or tassel, a very curious 
kind of transformation of the parts, and quite constant. 
There are two or three modifications of this mode of varia¬ 
tion. Several other varieties are known. 
