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erect, and their form is narrow-lanceolate ; the pinnæ are
taper-pointed ; the pinnules set quite clear of each other,
very narrow, that is, linear, with sharp points, the margins
bluntly toothed, but rolled under so that very little of the
toothing is seen; the sori are very often confluent. It occurs
sparingly in boggy places.
The variety latifolium of Mr. Babington, which appears
to be the Athyrium latfolium of Presl, a German writer on
Eerns, is probably also a distinct species. This differs from the
common forms in the elongate or oblong-lanceolate onthne
of its fronds, and in the broad, leafy, crowded development
of its pinnules, which are somewhat irregularly lobed, as weU
as deeply toothed at the margin, with the curved sori lying
near the sinus of the lobes. This is a strong-growing form.
I t has been recently found in Westmoreland.
The variety moUe has ovate-lanceolate fronds, growing
nearly erect, the lower pair of pinnæ being short and deflexed;
it has flat, toothed pinnules, connected at their base
by a slender wing to the midrib, and produces its sori distinct.
This is a small form, often not more than about a
foot in height.
Besides these, there are three varieties of horticultural interest.
One called multifidum, which has the habit of convexum,
but is more vigorous, has the tips of all the pinnæ,
as well as of the frond itself, mnltifid or tasselled, which
gives it a very elegant appearance. Another, which we call
crispum, is a dwarf tufted plant, no larger than a hunch of
curled parsley, which it much resembles, its fronds being
curiously crisped and tasselled. These two are, strictly
speaking, monstrosities, but they have retained their characteristics
for many years in cultivation, and are very elegant.
Another curious form we propose to call marinum : it
was found by Dr. Dickie growing along with Cystopteris
Dickieana, in a cave near the sea at Aberdeen, and has now
for five or six years been cultivated along with other hardy
Eerns, and retains its distinct appearance and characteristics.
It has small fronds about a foot long, lanceolate, and remarkable
for the manner in which they taper from their
broad centre, equally towards the base and apex; these
fronds, moreover, have a spreading or horizontal mode of
growth ; their pinnules are oblong and bluntly toothed, and
attached closely together, at right angles with the continuously
winged rachis of the pinnæ. The sori are very short,
often curved in a horse-shoe form, and crowded on the small
pinnules.
The common Lady Eern is abundant in warm moist woods
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