THE MOONWORT. 328 
a quiescent state, but perfectly formed. It then appears like a 
simple stem, scarcely an inch in length, and perfectly erect. On a 
closer inspection the component parts of the future frond will be 
clearly perceived ; the stipes is swollen, and rather stouter than the 
upper part, the two branches of which face each other, the fertile 
branch of the frond being clasped by the barren or leafy part; and, 
the fructification being thus entirely concealed, the uppermost pinn® 
are incurved, as if to give still further protection to the fruit. The 
whole is invested and completely enclosed in scale-like alternate 
Sheaths, doubtless the decaying stalks of many previous years. As 
the spring advances, the frond rapidly increases in size, until in 
April it makes its appearance above ground, and in May or June 
attains its perfect development." 
The species of Botrychium are few in number, distributed over 
the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, and more sparingly 
in the southern. They are all plants of interesting character. 
The name of the genus is derived from botrys, a bunch or cluster 
of grapes, which the branched clusters of spore-cases somewhat 
resemble in outline. The English name, Moonwort, is derived from 
the lunate form of the pinne in the British species. 

BRITISH SPECIES AND VARIETIES. 
B. Lunaria: a dwarf perennial with two-branched compound fronds ; the barren 
branch oblong pinnate, the pinne lunate. 
var. rutaceum : barren branch deltoid pinnate, the pinn® linear oblong 
inciso-serrate or pinnatifid, with the ultimate lobes bifid or trifid. 
var. tripartitum: barren branch deltoid, three-parted ; the divisions pin- 
nate with lunate pinne. 

