48 THE BRITISH FERNS. 
near the upper end, and producing little flat branchlets. The fronds 
of some of the best forms of this variety are from two to three feet 
high, and nine inches or more in breadth, the pinne long and taper- 
ing, the pinnules oblong acutish and more or less distinct, and the 
apex of the frond dividing into five or six pointed divisions. A plant 
of this character, quite constant, has been found at Windermere, by 
Mr. F. Clowes; and this we take as the type of the group. In some 
instances varieties having the ramose apex have not proved constant. 
We have other specimens agreeing with the above description from 
Hovingham, Yorkshire, found by Mr. C. Monkman. 
50. furcatum (M.). This is a monstrous form of the molle type. 
The ends of its pinn® are forked, usually once, sometimes twice or 
more, with a tendency to dilatation in the tips; and the apex of the 
frond is divided into a small short tassel. It was found near Ilfra- 
combe, by the Rev. J. M. Chanter ; and is, we learn, constant. 
51. furcans (M.). This variety grows upwards of a foot and a 
half in height, and is lanceolate, with the pinns distant below, and 
approximate above. When in a characteristic state, the ends of 
the pinne are divided into two or three flat tapering diverging 
points, which are rarely again divided. "The pinnules when perfect 
are pyramidal, and deeply pinnatifid with oblong blunt toothed lobes, 
but they are frequently more or less abbreviated and preemorse at the 
tips, and not uncommonly shortly bifid or dilated there. The fronds 
seem to have a tendency to become irregular and depauperate in: 
development. ` This variety was found near Harrogate, Yorkshire, 
by Mr. A. Clapham, and has hardly been as yet sufficiently tested. 
52. furcillatum (M.). A lax and elegant multifid form, the fronds 
of which are about a foot long exclusive of the stipites, and nearly 
six inches broad, with slender rachides. The pinne are rather 
distant, narrowish, and tapering to a long slender caudate point, the 
end of which is split into a somewhat spreading fork of two slender 
branches, which are flat and either toothed or again forked, and 
sometimes divided into a tuft of short segments. The apex of the 
frond is also slender, and divided twice or thrice into narrow forking 
segments. The pinnules are distant, sessile and decurrent, oblong 
acutish, and pinnatifid or inciso-dentate above, narrowing below into 
the decurrent portion which is entire. The lax habit, and slender 

