CYSTOPTERIS. 
179 
upper basal pinnules largest; the stipes, too, is tough, not 
brittle. 
Another distinct variety, called dentata, is generally 
smaller, and almost always blunter in the form of its 
parts ; this grows from six to eight inches high, and has 
ovate-lanceolate pinnae, with ovate, obtuse, pointless pin¬ 
nules, which are again divided on the margin into a series 
of short blunt notches or teeth; the venation is more 
simple, and the fructification is more marginal, than in 
any of the preceding forms. It is reproduced from the 
spores. 
The most distinct of the varieties, however, is one 
called Dickieana, after Dr. Dickie, who discovered it in 
a sea-cave near Aberdeen. It is of a more compact habit 
of growth than any of the preceding, and grows from four 
to six inches in height; the outline almost ovate, termi¬ 
nating in a point; the pinnae ovate-lanceolate, deflexed, 
overlapping each other; the pinnules decurrent, broad, 
obtuse, with a few shallow, marginal notches; the 
texture very delicate and herbaceous ; and the fructi¬ 
fication marginal. It is of a deep green. It is a 
constant variety under cultivation, and is reproduced by 
spores. 
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