THE MALE FERN. 193 
triangular outline of a few of the lower pinne, the lowest pair 
especially, these having more of the outline met with in L. spinulosa 
than that which usually occurs in L. Filix-mas. The pinnules are 
longish, and all but the basal ones are adnate or decurrent ; they 
are inciso-serrate or lobed, and they sometimes show the enlarged 
posterior basal lobe, which occurs in deorso-lobata. It has been 
found in several parts of Kent, from whence we are indebted for 
specimens to Dr. Allchin. The most marked is from Holt Wood, 
near Maidstone, Kent. 
9. paleacea (M.). This variety, which is a widely dispersed, and 
probably not uncommon form, is subbipinnate, the basal pinnules 
only being distinct; the pinnules are oblong, somewhat glaucous 
beneath, truncately-obtuse, and serrated at the apex. The fronds 
are broad-lanceolate, one to five feet high, having the scales of the 
stipes broad-lanceolate, while those of the rachis, and of the pinnules 
are hair-like. The pinne are pinnate. The pinnules oblong, obtuse, 
serrated at the apex, with a broad attachment. One of its most 
obvious characteristics is the subglaucous under surface, the other 
forms of the species being green. It is often of a yellowish green 
colour, but not always, being frequently deep green, but the under 
surface is always paler. When in its most fully developed state it 
differs from the normal form in the abundance of the lustrous golden- 
tinted scales, which clothe its stipites and rachides, so densely that 
_ their rich colouring is conspicuous, especially at the back of the 
frond. The scales are however not always so richly-coloured nor 
always abundant, being sometimes dark-coloured, and scattered, but 
they always differ obviously from the pallid scales of the other com- 
mon forms. Mr. Wollaston points out, that the rachides and midveins 
are more or less tinged with purple, but this also occurs sometimes 
in incisa. The sori are usually, if not constantly, smaller, and the 
indusium before maturity, and even when the spore-cases are ripen- 
ing, has its margins very much inflected beneath them, so that, when 
reversed, it is seen to have the form of a little pouch, as in the leaflets 
of Cheilanthes lendigera. In the common and incised forms of Filiz- 
mas, on the contrary, the margin of the indusium is merely bent 
down a little sloping outwards till it comes in contact with the surface 
of the pmnule. [Plate XXXIII A.—Folio ed. t. XVII A.] 
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