BORY’S SPLEENWORT. 135 
of the frond, being excessively pointed: the frond, as 
well as its pinne and pinnules, are all pinnate, so 
that it is one of the most divided of British ferns: 
the ultimate divisions are linear, toothed and sharp- 
pointed; they seem to consist of a midvein and a 
narrow wing: the masses of seeds are linear; the 
involucre is also linear and very distinct: the dorsal 
surface is green and glabrous, and has the texture 
very peculiar, having a feel like that of writing-paper. 
‘This exquisitely beautiful fern seems to be very 
abundant and very luxuriant in the Azores, the Cape 
_ de Verde, Madeira and Canary Islands ; it also occurs, 
but less plentifully and less luxuriantly, in Portugal. 
In Great Britain it is unknown, and it has only been 
recorded for three Irish counties, Down, Kerry and 
Cork. In the Killarney district it occurs in company 
with the Black Spleenwort, but the two species remain 
pets distinct. 
' Thave scarcely any practical experience of this fern 
under cultivation: its natural conditions may perhaps 
mature such delicate species as the filmy ferns. 
