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from the great development of the lowest pair of pinnæ ; and
they are remarkable for the comparative length of the
slender stipes, which is about twice as long as the leafy
portion. The fronds are tripinnate in the lower part, and
bipinnate upwards, the pinnæ spreading, and standing opposite
in pairs, the lowest pair considerably larger than the
next above, and unequally developed, the inferior side being
very much larger than the superior ; this disproportion is
not maintained to the same extent in the upper portions of
the frond. The lower pinnæ, on the inferior side, are first
divided into ovate or lanceolate pinnules, and these are
again cut into a second series of pinnules, of an ovate or
oblong form, these ultimate pinnules being coarsely and
irregularly notched or toothed; on the upper side, the
pinnules correspond with the secondary pinnules of the
lower side. The inferior pinnules of the next pair of pinnæ
also correspond in size, outline, and subdivision with the
secondary pinnules of the lower pinnæ; and above this
the parts become gradually smaller and less divided up to
the apex of the frond.
The whole texture of the fronds is delicate and herbaceous,
as in the more common species, and hence the veins
show very distinctly. In the ultimate pinnules the central
c ysto pt eris . I l l
vein is somewhat flexnous, and gives off alternate lateral
veins, one of which is directed toward the sinus or marginal
indentation between two serratures. The sori have the
usual roundish form common in this genus, and, being
numerous, they become very conspicuous when full-grown ;
but though crowded they do not appear often to become
confluent. These sori are covered, in the young state, by
a blunt, concave, jagged-edged indusium.
This rare species occurs wild in the United Kingdom only,
as far as is known, among the Breadalbane mountains of
Scotland, on one of which, Ben Lawers, it was originally
found by Mr. Wilson, in company with Sir W. J. Hooker
and Professor Graham; this was in August 1836. Subsequently,
in 1841, Messrs. Gourlie and Adamson again met
with it, on the “ mountains between Glen Dochart and
Glen Lochey.” Mr. Gourlie again, we believe, as well as
Dr. Arnott and Mr. Borrer, met with it in 1850. In the
European Alps this Fern is met with, most abundantly
northwards; and it also occurs on the Rocky Mountains of
the New World, occurring for the most part in its wild
haunts, on rough stony ground in suh-alpine regions, but
sometimes also in woods.
The synonyms of this species are Polypodium montanum,
Aspidium montanum, and Cyathea montana.