44 THE BRITISH FERNS. 
near the summit, becoming bi- or tri-furcate. The pinns vary very 
much in form, and they are also remarkably variable in length and 
in the mode of division; their apices are almost always divided, 
sometimes simply, or sometimes in a multifid manner, so that they 
may be said to be ramose. The pinnules are very unequal in size, 
and in the number and form of their lobes, which are again variously 
toothed, the serratures being often deep and acute. There are 
two slight modifications of this variety; one raised from seed by 
Mr. J. Young, of Taunton, Somerset, and the other found in a batch 
of seedling plants at Ambleside, Westmoreland, by Mr. Wollaston. 
Both are rare and curious. [Plate LX A.] 
41. nudatum (M.). A dwarf red-stiped variety, of very curious 
growth. The pinn® are of variable length, the upper ones bemg 
longest, so that the apex of the frond is abrupt. The frond is also 
narrow from the abrupt shortening of most of the pinne; but the 
most remarkable peculiarity is that along the centre of the pinnee 
there is a bare space of about half an inch on the rachis devoid of 
pinnules, so that the upper ends of the pinne appear stipitate, or as 
if they were the result of a second growth. The lower pinnules are 
erowded, broad or ovate, obtuse, rather irregular, deeply pinnatifid, 
the lobes with unequal longish teeth. The apical series of pinnules 
are narrower and of a more regular normal character ; these apical 
portions are, however, occasionally branched or forked. It has been 
sent from Devonshire, by Mr. C. Jackson, and requires proving. 
42. capitatum (M.). A medium-sized form, about a foot and a 
half high, and six inches broad, the pinne rather distant, broadest 
at the base, tapering though a little irregular towards the apex, just 
below which they are much narrowed. At the apex of the pinnee 
three or four full-sized pinnules are produced, forming a terminal 
head or tuft. The pinnules are oblong, blunt or almost squared, 
deeply pinnatifid with divergent-toothed lobes along the sides, and 
laciniate-toothed at the apex. The upper part of the frond is more 
irregular and very much laciniated. The stipites and rachides are 
red. It was found at Ilfracombe by Mr. C. Jackson. 
43. laceratum (M.). A narrow and very much lacerated variety, 
growing about a foot and a half high. The pinnz are short, very 
irregular, and generally abrupt, with a tendency to become branched 

