THE COMMON HARD FERN. 223 
hook-like form ; others of intermediate semi-fertile character are 
produced with the lobes furcate at the tips, but all are more or less 
interrupted, and where an abortion of the lobes occurs, the rachis is 
generally more or less laterally curved. The perfect lobes are 
acute, and not unfrequently enlarged beyond the normal size. It 
was found near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, by Mr. Wollaston, and is 
a permanent form. A somewhat similar form, having fronds of 
interrupted or irregular growth, with acute segments, has been 
found at Castle Howard, Yorkshire, by Mr. C. Monkman, but it 
requires proving. 
14. inequale (M.). This form resembles interruptum (18), in 
being of irregular growth, with acute segments, but so far as is 
known, it is of the normal lanceolate outline, only irregular along 
the edges from the unequal length of the segments; there are a 
few short segments at the base. It was found near Todmorden by 
Messrs. Stansfield. à 
15. erosum (M.). A small form, about three inches high, with 
fronds of irregular lanceolate outline, the margins of the various 
shaped segments erose, as if nibbled. It appears likely to be an 
interesting and permanent form, but requires proving. The plants 
were found in the Vale of Todmorden by Mr. Stansfield. 
16. latipes (M.). The sterile fronds we have seen of this form 
are about six inches long, and an inch and a quarter broad, of 
nearly equal width throughout, the segments not diminishing 
towards the base but rather longer there; this peculiarity is less 
marked in the semi-fertile fronds, but they terminate abruptly 
below. It was found in Ramsden Valley, and in Cat-holes-Clough in 
the neighbourhood of Todmorden, by Mr. Stansfield. It had been 
proposed to call this asplenioides, on account of the short broken up 
sori, but this may prove a mere accidental condition. 
The name sinuatum has been suggested for another form found in 
Staups-Clough, Todmorden, by Mr. Stansfield. In this the margins 
of the lobes are sinuated, but it may prove to be a semi-fertile 
accidental variation of the normal state, as the only sterile fronds 
we have seen bear the longitudinal vein which is characteristic of 
the usual fertile fronds of this species. 
l7. brevifrons (M. A dwarf, but broad-lobed form. The 

