
158 BRITISH ЕЕКМ5 
the lemon-like odour produced if these be handled, it will be found 
on closer examination that the side divisions commence close to the 
ground as round lobes which lengthen slowly at first, and then 
more rapidly, forming .a lance-shaped outline with a gradual 



Fig. 174. Z. montana (pinna). 
tapering off below, while in the Male Fern they start abruptly of 
some length a third of the way up the frond, the stalk below being 
bare. The spore heaps are small and numerous. It resents lime 
in soil or water, and grows best in moist, friable loam, in well- 
drained pots, or on the northern sides of rockeries. Curiously 
enough this species for a very long period had the reputation of 
being a very constant and “ non-sporting " one, since, despite its 
abundance, no varieties turned up to reward the hunter’s per- 
severance. Then, however, two or three varieties were discovered, 
and Mr. J. M. Barnes, of Milnthorpe, in the Lake District, devoted 
particular attention to the species, and found some very fine ones. 
Others followed, and at present L. montana figures as by far the 
most versatile species of the genus, over seventy varieties being 
catalogued as found in the Lake District alone, clearly due mainly 
to the residence there of a number of experienced hunters, since 
we havé ourselves found several very choice and distinct forms 
in Devonshire and Scotland, and Dr. Stansfield recently found 
a magnificent plumose form in Wales. The following are the best. 
APU#FORMIS.—Found at Swindale by Mr. Barnes; a multifid, 
branched terminal crest. 
,ATTENUATO-CRISTATA.—Found in Mardale by Mr. Barnes; a 
narrow,-crested form. 
BARNESII.—Found by Mr. Barnes; a remarkable variety, with 
short, oval side divisions set on to the midrib at right angles, like 
the steps of a ladder. Unique when found, and still distinct ; but 
a number of very similar, narrow varieties have since been dis- 
covered by Mr. Whitwell and others. 
CoNcINNATA.—Found Loughrigg by Mr. Crouch; a narrow 
revolvens. 
CONGESTA.—A number of very good congested forms have been 
found ; the best we have seen is crispatissima, found by Mr. Gott 
near Troutbeck. 
CRISPATISSIMA.—See note to congesta. 




