


242 THE BRITISH FERNS. 
successfully—an impression which may probably be traced to a 
statement made by Sir J. E. Smith, to this effect. If, however, the 
subterraneous horizontal caudex is dug up in winter, without injury, 
and planted with ordinary care, there is little risk of failure. The 
plant is not particular as to soil, though no doubt a deep sandy loam 
is most congenial to it. "When a plantation 1s required, the ground 
should be trenched, and the stems carefully dug out in spring, and 
planted in drills two or three inches deep. A dressing of leaf-mould 
over the surface in winter is beneficial. 
There are but few varieties of the Dracken yet discovered ; those 
which have been observed are the following :— 
1. integerrima (M.). "The peculiarity of this form consists in the 
entire or undivided condition of the secondary pinnules (pinnulets). 
These pinnulets instead of being deeply pinnatifid, are nearly all 
quite entire, here and there only slightly erenate-lobate at the base. 
It may perhaps merge into the pinnatifid form, but many plants and 
whole patches of plants are found in which this peculiarity is charac- 
teristic. The plant, which is very well figured by Dr. Deakin (Florigr. 
Brit. iv. 55, fig. e), is probably not uncommon. We have specimens 
from—Devonshire: Marwood, Rev. F. Mules. Middlesex: Hamp- 
stead Heath, 7. M. Hertfordshire: St. Albans, H. D. Henslow. 
Buckinghamshire: High Wycombe, R. Heward. Bedfordshire : 
Potton, R. Heward. Durham: Teesdale. Westmoreland: Win- 
dermere, F. Clowes. Dumbartonshire: Tarbet, T. M. Perthshire: 
by Loch Katrine, T. M. Wicklow: Dingle, R. Barrington. Dublin: 
Three-Rock Mountain, R. B. i 
2. crispa (Woll). There are two forms of this variety, both 
corresponding in habit with the normal form of the species, but 
occasionally multifid. In one of these the margins of the pinnulets 
are entire undulate and reflexed ; in the other they are crenate and 
wavy. It is figured by Dr. Deakin (Morigr. Brit. iv. 54, fig. g). It 
is not very uncommon, but a local variety. We have seen it from— 
Middlesex: Hampstead Heath, Z. M. Kent: Shooter’s Hill, G. B. 
Wollaston. Devonshire: Marwood, Rev. F. Mules. 
3. multifida (Woll.). This, in its best condition, is a rather 
unusual and scarcely permanent form of the plant. "There are two 

