THE COMMON MAIDENHAIR FERN. 251. 
cannot be considered a hardy Fern. They may be increased by 
division of the caudex, and sometimes by means of little bulbils 
which are developed on the edges of the pinnules. Mr. Clapham 
has sent us a very interesting example of this proliferous growth 
produced in his fernery; in this case not only the edges of the 
pinnules but the axils of those near the top of the frond produce 
little scaly bulbs or buds. 
A Fern ranging so widely over the world might be expected to 
show some modifications of form, and such is indeed the case, 
though only two or three, and these not very strongly marked, are 
met with in this country. These are the following :— 
1. ramulosum (M.). This form is chiefly remarkable for having 
the main rachis divided two or three times near the top, so that the 
apex of the frond is formed of a spreading tuft of short pinnate 
branches. The pinnules are here and there reduced or split unequally 
into narrow portions, or of unequal size, so that there is a partial 
depauperation below and an excess of development of the apex. 
This appears to be more or less the case with all the fronds. It is 
of Irish origin, and has been sent by Mr. Clapham. 
2. incisum (M.). This form has both the barren and fertile 
pinnules throughout the frond somewhat regularly split down 
into long narrow wedge-shaped lobes, but is otherwise of the usual 
growth. There are various gradations of this variety, both native 
and foreign. It is somewhat rare in this country, but is occasionally 
met with. It has been found in Ireland by Dr. Allchin ; Mr. New- 
man records it from Mewstone Bay, in Devonshire ; and it hàs been 
sent from Guernsey by Mr. James. 
3. rotundatum (M.). This sub-variety, found in the Isle of Man 
by Mr. T. G. Rylands, and occurring also in a nearly similar form 
on the south-west coast of England, has a peculiar aspect. The 
chief peculiarity in the most marked, i.e., the Manx plant, consists in 
the basal pinnules having a rounder outline than usual, with the 
base truncate; in addition, the fronds are narrow, and the pinne 
more spreading. The usual cuneated base which is wanting in 
these pinnules, appears, however, in the upper parts of the same 
fronds. 


