66 : BRITISH FERNS. 
triangular portions, each of which has a short 
but very distinct naked foot-stalk: these three are 
united to the main or principal stalk at an obtuse 
angle. ach division of the frond is pinnate, and the 
pinne are opposite, pinnate at the base, pinnatifid 
towards the centre, and terminating in a somewhat 
obtuse point: the basal pinnules are sessile and of 
nearly equal size, so that the four, occurring at each 
union of the pinnules with the main stem, form a cross. 
The midvein of each pinnule or ultimate division is 
waved, and the lateral veins are’ alternate and mostly 
simple; each terminates at the edge and generally 
ars a circular cluster of dark brown seeds near its 
extremity; in some specimens these clusters are s0 
- Growded as to form a continuous marginal line; in 
others they are scattered and distant. The green 
colour of this fern is most vivid and beautiful, in this 
respect surpassing every species with which I am 
acquainted; when the plant is matured and of full 
growth they are always fertile. 
This interesting little fern is common on the con- 
tinent of Europe, and has been recorded as occurring 
in every country except Greece and Turkey. In the 
north-western counties of England, in North Wales, 
and in Scotland, it is quite common, but from the 
southern and eastern counties of England, and also 
from Ireland, it is almost entirely absent, I will 
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