
56 BRITISH FERNS 
under surface instead of the upper, and there is no doubt but that 
the tortuous twisting of the fexuosum and the spiral convolutions 
of the vevolvens forms are largely due to endeavours to counter- 
act this, the varietal tendency and the normal being in constant 
opposition, 
Shortened side divisions constitute another section; in the Lady 
Fern A. f. f. Frizellie (see Appendix No. VI) the pinne are merely 
round ball-like masses, the frond resembling a string of beads; in 
A. f. f. Pritchardii we have a sort of intermediate between this and 
cruciate forms. In the Hard Fern, we have Blechnum spicant con- 
cinnum Drueryii, with fronds like strings of scallop shells, and in 
B. s. lineare the fronds are almost, and sometimes quite strap- 
shaped, Ше рапа being short and rounded, or even quite con- 
fluent. Conjoined with most of the above types are additional 
peculiarities of many kinds, and it is this fact which renders it so 
extremely difficult, if not impossible, to simplify the often long 
names given to the plants concerned. To those who take the 
trouble to learn what may be termed the Fern language, no such 
great task as it appears, these names are invaluable when the 
christening has been judicious, to which, unhappily, there are many 
exceptions, and no true Fern-lover would care to see new finds or 
raisings named without any indication of their character, as is 
perforce done in the floral world. In a choice of evils it is good 
policy to choose the less. 

