
































184 É THE BRITISH FERNS. 
108. variabile cristatum (M.). This isa very handsome form of 
variabile (107), in which the fronds are about six inches long, 
dividing in the lower part of the costa, and spreading out by 
repeated contiguous forkings into a bunch six inches across, the tips 
of the ultimate lobes being curly or cristate. The fronds are fertile 
in the upper part. It was found near Darnstaple, Devonshire, by 
Mr. C. Jackson. 
109. subpinnatum (M.). A curious dwarf form, six inches high, 
and nearly two broad, the fronds of which are split down to the 
costa into several irregular roundish or bluntly wedge-shaped lobes, 
which are frequently distant with an open sinus, but sometimes 
contiguous and overlapping; the base in one frond before us is 
unequal, but one lobe being produced, and this separated as in . 
variabile (107) ; and the costa higher up is bared for an interval 
of nearly an inch, so that the lamina is quite separated. The fronds 
appear to be sometimes attenuate sometimes abrupt at the apex. It 
was found at Ilfracombe, Devonshire, by Mr. J. Dodds. 
110. dissimile (Woll) This is a vigorous growing form, having 
fronds exceedingly varied: indeed so unlike each other, that they 
seem to belong to different plants. They vary in the lamina from 
two to eight inches in length and are mostly broadish, cordate at 
the base, simple or lobate at the apex, attenuate or obtuse, some- 
times cleft; the margin is here and there irregularly and deeply 
lobed, indicating an approach to the structure of variabile (107), 
and sometimes there is a distinct reniform lobe atthe base. Some 
fronds are irregularly or interruptedly contracted, and when con- 
tracted laciniately-toothed; some are dwarf and truncate, fan- 
shaped; others bireniform with narrow incised lobes. It was 
found by Mr. A. Clapham, at Grassington, Wharfedale, Yorkshire ; 
and with him 1s very prohferous. 
111. abruptum (M.). The peculiarity of this variety consists in 
the midvein or rachis rarely reaching to the apex of the frond, 
which is broad and bluntly rounded. The fronds are variable in size, 
from two to ten or twelve inches long exclusive of the stipites, cordate 
or sometimes unequal at the base, usually somewhat undulated ; 
the apex is usually entire, plane or undulated, but it is sometimes 
divided; and the plants occasionally produce dwarf bireniform 

