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GROUP III; GENUS I; SPECIES I. 
BOTRYCHIUM LUNARIA. (Moonwort.) 
Plate XX. 
Fronds. Divided into two branches, barren and 
fertile. Barren branch narrow, triangular 
and pinnate, with from three to eight pair of 
crescent-shaped pinnules, which are notched 
on the convex side. Fertile branch bi- 
pinnate, the pinnules consisting of clusters 
of thecae. The two branches uniting in a 
common stipes which is about half the length 
of the entire frond, the pinnules of the barren 
branch commencing immediately above the 
junction. Rachis and stipes succulent and 
fleshy, the latter enclosed near its base by a 
brown sheath. No rhizoma, but a few fibrous 
roots. A peculiarity of this fern is, that within 
the hollow stem may be seen the perfectly- 
formed frond of the ensuing year; and within 
this again, the embryo of that of the second 
following year. 
Growth. Erect. 
Height. Barren branch from three to four inches ; 
fertile branch from four to six inches. 
Colour. Glaucous green. 
Habitats. Exposed, peaty heaths and meadows. 
Generally distributed, but not very common. 
