THE LADY FERN. f 25 
stipites are of a very dark brown, almost black. The fronds are from 
a foot to a foot and a half long, spreading or sub-decumbent, rigid, 
scarcely bipinnate; they are exactly lanceolate, the shortening of 
the pinnæ from the centre of the frond being equal towards both 
the base and apex. The pinnæ narrow but little for about two- 
thirds of their length, but beyond this they contract into a somewhat 
acuminate point; the upper pinnæ are spreading, the lower ones 
deflexed. The pinnules, often largest next the main rachis, are 
oblong, blunt and rounded at the ends, crowded or slightly over- 
lapping, connected by a narrow wing, set on at a right angle, or 
sometimes a little reflexed ; the margin is rather toothed than lobed, 
the indentations being shallow, and the projections in the upper 
half being seldom more than blunt simple or somewhat retuse 
notches, though below they are generally two or three-toothed ; 
sometimes the lobes become rather more developed. The sori are 
lunate, or with a strong tendency to assume the arcuate or horse- 
shoe-shaped form, and are ranged near the costa in a double line 
along the pinnules, sometimes distinct, but often becoming confluent. 
This variety is a very neat-growing plant, constant to the above- 
mentioned peculiarities. It was originally found by Dr. Dickie in 
a cave by the sea, in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen; and a plant 
almost exactly resembling it, has since been gathered by Dr. Allchin, 
in the Isle of Man. [Plate LIII A.—Folio ed. t. XXXI C.] 
4. minimum (M.). A remarkably dwarf form, the fronds being 
not more than six inches long and less than an inch and a half 
broad. They are bipinnate, the lower pinnules being tolerably 
distinct, the upper ones more or less decurrent and confluent at the 
base; the pinnæ are rather irregular, and taper-pointed ; the 
pinnules are oblong, narrowed and acutish upwards, deeply pinnatifid 
with toothed lobes below, and inciso-dentate above, the teeth narrow 
and acute. The narrow prominent teeth produce a fringed appear- 
ance. The anterior basal lobe is sometimes larger, and the pinnules 
are altogether irregular in size and development, but not sufficiently 
so to produce a depauperated aspect. The sori are short and irregular, 
produced chiefly at the base of the pinnules. It was found at 
Ilfracombe, and has been cultivated for several years by Mr. Young 
of Taunton. ; 

