




218 THE BRITISH FERNS. 
an eighth of an inch in length, while the upper spicate portion is at 
the widest not more than one-eighth of an inch in width, but is 
often less than this, the sori being here borne in a continuous longi- 
tudinal line close to the rachis. The fructiferous fronds, however, 
sometimes acquire a fuller development of about eleven inches in 
length, and rather more than half an inch in width, with more 
numerous lobes below, but still terminating in an entire spicate apex. 
This variety was found near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, in 1853 by Mr. 
Wollaston ; and the same form has since been found in the valley of 
the Conway near Llanrwst, and in Staups-Clough near Todmorden, 
by Mr. Stansfield and Mr. Holmes; who have also sent us the 
same form from the Clova Mountains in Forfarshire. It proves to 
be a permanent, and fairly constant form. 
2. caudatum (M.). This form somewhat approaches Jancifolium, 
but is larger and less decidedly spicate at the apex of the frond. 
The sterile fronds which only are known, are from six to eight inches 
long, and from three-quarters of an inch to an inch in width, thick 
and leathery in texture; the apex is confluent or caudate, variable 
in length, entire or obscurely lobed, the remaining upper portion 
pinnatifid with unequal linear obtuse segments, about half an inch 
long, and the basal part one-third or more of the length of the 
frond, rather suddenly contracted into short rounded lobes. Tt was 
found in an old lane at Eastwood, by Mr. Stansfield, of Todmorden, 
and proves to be quite constant. 
3. brevilobum (M.). A dwarf form, the fronds three or four 
inches long, narrow, with short lobes, not much exceeding an 
eighth of an inch in length, scarcely narrowed below, the upper 
ones confluent into a broad terminal obtuse lobe; it is only known 
in the sterile form, and requires proving. It was found by Mr. 
Stansfield, in a ravine above Acre Mill, Rosendale. 
Mr. Stansfield mentions a var. gracilis, as being smaller than the 
normal plant, less common, very slender, the lobes distant and slightly 
contracted. It was found among millstone-grit rocks in the upper 
part of Harleywood-Slack, and appears likely to be permanent. 
4. anomalum (M.). This form is remarkable for its thin and her- 
baceous texture, and its lax habit. 'The fronds are of nearly uniform 
character, and indifferently fructiferous, from six to ten or twelve 

