
THE LADY FERN. i 47 
rachides, and has small blunt oblong pinnules, which are pinnatifid 
and toothed in the normal manner. 
— polyclados dissectum (M.). This has the fronds generally ramose ; 
the stipites and rachides red; the pinn® sometimes forked at the 
tips; the pinnules sessile or decurrent, pinnatifid ; and the lobes fur- 
nished with deep irregular linear acute teeth. It has been found in 
Trentham Park, Staffordshire, by Mr. S. Jervis. 
— polyclados irregulare (M.). This has the fronds frequently 
branched, and also more or less multifid at the apex; the apices of 
the irregular confused-looking pinnz are also often forked. The 
pinnules are irregular in size and form, sometimes ovate and deeply 
pinnatifid, sometimes linear with shallow lobes, and sometimes dis- 
torted or abbreviated ; the teeth are short, acute, and not prominent. 
This form has been found by Mr. Wollaston, in Pett's Wood, near 
Chislehurst, Kent, and at Hulm, near Windermere, Westmoreland. 
48. ramosum (Woll.). This like the variety pruinosum, is densely 
covered with glands, so that the stipites carry a bloom like that of 
the plum—a peculiarity which is unusual in this species. The fronds 
are frequently branched, the ramifications being very unequal. The 
pinne are extremely variable in form and length, so that while those 
on one division or branch of the frond may be normal, those on 
another may be altogether abnormal, some being long, some short, 
and some wanting altogether. Those which are present, are variously 
interrupted or depauperated, so as to be very irregular in form, a 
portion of the pinnules being normal and full-sized, others variously 
abbreviated and inciso-laciniate, and others again shapeless or 
abortive, or often altogether wanting. The pinnules have the same 
kind of unsymmetrical development, the lobes being either one, two, 
or three-cleft on the same pinnule. The normal pinnules are oblong 
acute, and slightly faleate. "The plant is sparingly fertile, and per- 
manent under cultivation. It was found by Mr. W. W. Reeves, 
near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and we are indebted to Mr. Wollaston 
for specimens. 
49. ramulosum (M.). There are many forms to be referred to 
this variety, which is analogous to that called multifidum under some 
of our British species. Its characteristic is the production of a tuft 
of short branches at the apex of the fronds, the rachis merely dividing 

