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the pinnules which is the most remarkable feature in this variety, 
which is of average size, and fertile towards the apex. It was 
found in Devonshire by Mr. Wollaston. 
26. premorsum (Allch.). This is a curious rather than a handsome 
variety. The fronds are narrow, dwarfish, bipinnate ; the pinnæ 
short, with only a few pinnules distinct, the rest confluent or con- 
gested into a variously lobed or laciniated spiny-toothed, often trun- 
cate premorse or partially depauperated apex. The few pinnules 
are rather large, oblong, and biserrate in a crowded but irregular 
manner. The upper pinne are entirely confluent into misshapen 
pinne, variously pinnatifid or laciniated, the lobes unequally biser- 
rate, the teeth being frequently aristate. The pinnules or lobes 
are very frequently marginate, that is, having a distinct excurrent 
membrane, here and there apparent, as in some forms of the Hart’s 
Tongue Fern. This variety was originally found in Ireland by Dr. 
Allchin, and was very imperfectly described in our folio edition. 
More perfect specimens found also in Ireland, Tyrone: Clogher, by 
the Rev. W. R. Bailey, enable us to notice it more fully. It has 
besides been found at Barnstaple, Devonshire, by Mr. C. Jackson. 
A form of similar character here and there interrupted, but not 
misshapen as tin true premorsum, has been found at Oldstead in 
Yorkshire by Mr. C. Monkman. 
27. gracile, (Woll.). A truly graceful variety, having the general 
characteristics of lineare (28), but distinct. The frond is ovate atten- 
uate at the apex, bipinnate; the pinnules smallish narrow and dis- 
tinct, and the whole habit lax: These pinnules are rather irregular 
in form, but generally narrow oblong acute, scarcely auricled, with 
the margin inciso-serrate rather than lobate ; many of the pinnules 
are linear with a wedge-shaped base. The pinnules on the upper 
pinnæ become very acute, and bear each three or four distinct sori. 
The apices of the lower pinne, as well as the entire upper pinne, 
are confluent, lobate-serrate, and the apex of the frond itself is 
lengthened and slender so as to become caudate. It was found in 
Devonshire by Mr. Wollaston. [Plate XXV B.] 
28. lineare (M.). This may be regarded as a more decidedly 
bipinnate form of confluens (29); it is moreover much larger, and is 
probably distinct. The plants are tolerably constant, producing in 

