























34 THE BRITISH FERNS. 
21. laum (Schum.). This is a large-growing, broad, much-divided 
form, having some resemblance to incisum, but in well developed states 
it is more lax in habit. Its most obvious distinguishing peculiarity ` 
consists in the very marked elongation of the anterior basal lobe of the 
long narrow pinnules, these lobes forming a line on each side the 
midrib. In other respects, the description of incisum would apply to 
lazum. The pinnules are, however, sometimes distant, in which state 
it approaches rhœticum. This form, which accords with Schumacher’s 
description of his Athyrium lawwm, first attracted our -notice in 
speeimens from the neighbourhood of Shrewsbury, in the collection 
of the Rev. W. A. Leighton, and we have since received it from 
many localities in the three kingdoms, so that it does not appear to 
be an aecidental condition, but a variety of distinct and permanent 
. Character. The prolongation of the anterior lobe into a kind of 
auricle, indicates an approach towards rheticum, in which there is 
the same kind of elongation, but our specimens are much broader 
and more lax than the latter plant. We may add that in all the 
compound forms of Lady Fern the anterior basal lobes are longer 
than the rest; but what occurs in this variety isan exaggerated and 
more manifest elongation. It has been found in—Devonshire : 
Parracombe (pinnules distant), Rev. J. M. Chanter. Somersetshire : 
Nettlecombe, C. Elworthy. Kent: Tunbridge Wells, Mrs. Delves. 
Surrey : Mayford, T. M. Gloucestershire: Avening, Mrs. Campbell. 
Shropshire : Shrewsbury, Rev. W. A. Leighton. Yorkshire, A. 
Clapham. Pembrokeshire: Castle Malgwyn, W. Hutehison. Den- 
bighshire: Ruthin, T. Pritchard. Perthshire: Pass of the Trosachs, 
T. M. ; Callender, T. M. Argyleshire: Ardrishiag, 7. M. Donegal: 
Killybegs, R. Barrington ; Gweedore, R. B. Sligo: Lough Gill, R. B. 
Galway : Kylemore; Glendalough; Connemara, R. B. Mayo: 
Sheve More, island of Achil, R. B. Wicklow: Valley of the Dar- 
gle, R. B. Jersey, J. James. Guernsey (long toothed), C. Jackson. 
[Plate LVII B.] 
22. pyramidale (M.). A form allied to Jazum, having rather broader 
pinnules, fully an inch long, and tapering in a pyramidal manner to 
an aeute point; the lobes are deeply separated, and their teeth have 
an incurving tendency. In the size of the pinnules and their acute 
apices, this form shows a tendency towards plumosum, but the parts 

