THE COMMON HART’S-TONGUE FERN. 159 
- 89. irregulare (M.). This is a sub-permanent form—one of those 
unaccountable freaks of nature which is seen at one time in its 
natural or normal growth, and at another assuming a most 
fantastic character ; or the two conditions may be combined at one 
time in the same plant. The abnormal fronds which are eight 
or ten inches long, are divided nearly to the costa into a series 
of irregular lobes, which are again unequally incised or lobate, 
with variously shaped ultimate segments; the less deeply cut por- 
tions are crenately toothed; the margin is somewhat undulate, the 
eosta is often branched or forked, and the whole development is 
altogether irregular. The veins are disarranged and reticulated. 
The abnormal fronds are sparingly fertile, the sori being very 
irregularly placed. This curious and elegant monstrosity was found 
in Guernsey by Mr. C. Jackson, who has also met with a similar 
form in Devonshire. Our figure represents but a small specimen, 
much less affected than others we have since received. [Plate 
LXXXIII C.] 
. 88. mutatum (M.). An interesting form about a foot high, with 
narrow fronds, less than an inch wide, incised about half way to 
the costa, at nearly regular distances about half an inch apart, 
forming truncate square-tipped lobes. The sori are extended down- 
wards from the base of the two sides of these divisions. A small 
portion near the apex on one side of the frond sent to us is 
normal. It was found near Nettlecombe, by Mr. Elworthy, who 
states that the plants bear some fronds which are normal in cha- 
racter, but narrow. 
34. prominens (M.). A narrow fronded form, about a foot high, 
including the stipites. The fronds are truncate below, attenuate 
upwards to a narrowish blunt point, irregularly erenate and sub- 
lobate along the margins, but produeing in the upper half a few 
irregularly disposed rounded narrowish lobes projecting about half 
an inch beyond the general line of the margin. It appears to 
bear a few long distant sori. It has been received from Mr. T. 
Pritchard, by whom it was found near Ruthin, in Denbighshire. 
35. inequale (Allchin). This handsome variety, which proves to be 
a constant and rare plant, has the fronds about six inches in length, 
exclusive of the stipites, and rather over an inch in width. The 

