THE LADY FERN. ; 45 
at their apex. The pinnules, in some parts wanting, and here and 
there unusually enlarged, are mostly irregularly oblong or ovate, 
deeply pinnatifid or ramose, the alternate teeth being narrow and 
spreading, and producing a fimbriate appearance. It is of the same 
general character as laciniatum, but yet different from the forms of 
that variety, and apparently an abnormal variation of the red-stiped 
rheticum group. It was found in Devonshire by Mr. C. Jackson. 
44. diversifrons (M.). This plant produces fronds of two forms. 
A portion of them are much like those of inciswm, from which 
doubtless the variety has originated; while others are singularly 
depauperately laciniated. The fronds are broad. The pinne are 
various in length and outline; some linear tapering to a point; some 
abbreviated and forked or hooked at the extremity, the whole rachis 
occupied by the pinnules, or considerable spaces on one or both sides 
quite bare. The pinnules are everywhere irregularly pinnatifid, and 
laciniated, sometimes depauperated either in length or breadth. It 
was raised from spores some years since by Mr. Young of Taunton. 
45. colpodes (M.). An interesting form, growing about a foot and 
a half high and five inches broad. The fronds are lanceolate, and 
tolerably symmetrical. The pinne are broad, i.e., ovate-lanceolate 
acute or sometimes acuminate, and here and there branched towards 
the end, rather distantly placed on the rachis. The pinnules are 
distinct ovate-oblong, deeply pinnatifid, the lobes curving towards 
the apex of the pinnule, and forming a rounded or very open sinus, 
which is the conspicuous feature of this variety ; the lobes are acutely 
toothed. It has been found by Mr. Wollaston. 
46. caudiculatum (M.). A very odd-looking and remarkable form, 
growing from a foot to a foot and a half in height, with narrow 
erect fronds rather bare of pinne below, and having a generally 
interrupted character. The pinne are usually distant below, and 
sometimes opposite, sometimes alternate, while above they are often 
crowded ; they are sometimes wanting, sometimes short, aninch or so 
in length, while the adjoining one may be two inches long; they are 
rarely simple, usually branched near the base, or multifidly branched 
and dilated at the apex, spreading ascending or incurved; they 
are, however, all or nearly all caudate at the points, and the multi- 
plieity of tail-like projecting segments resulting from the frequent 

