the fructification may ho seen lying hood-liko over the roundish
masses of spore-cases. It is a plant so polymorphous in character
that the species which botanists havo from time to time endeavoured
to separate from it, though sometimes assuming a distinot-looking
aspect, appear in other cases to become united by intermediate
forms, and aro then with difiioulty defined even as varieties.
Cystopteris fragilis must indeed be considered as heing, like tho
still more polymorphous Athyrium Filix-foemina and Lastrea dilatata,
a botanioal ignis fatuus, alluring tho incautious novelty-seekor
among the quagmires of species-making, in which, at length when
his mental vision becomes cleared by moro extended observations,
ho finds himself hopelessly fioundering.
This small and elegant herbaceous annual-fronded species is widely
distributed, ooourring hero and there over the whole of Great Britain.
It is most abundant among the hills and mountainous tracts of the
north of England and of Wales ; and becomes somewhat rare iu
the south and south-eastern parts of the island. It is found however,
in the extreme south of England, and extends in Scotland
northwards to the Hebrides and the county of Sutherland, ascending,
in the east Highlands, to an elevation of more than 3000 feet
above the sea. It generally occurs growing in the fissures of moist
shady rooks, or of masonry. In Ireland, though here and there
abundant, it seems less generally distributed. The chief recorded
habitats are as follows :—
Peninsula.—Devonshire : Exwiok, near Exeter ; since reported
to be only a seedling oi Athyrium Filix-foemina; near Ilfraoomhe,
Rev. J . M. Chanter ; limestone rocks near Torquay, very rare.
Somersetshire : Cheddar Cliffs, Sir TV. C. Trevelyan, Bart. ; Hampton
Cliffs, Bath, R. TVitliers, &o. ; abundant.
Channel.—Dorsetshire. Wiltshire : Box Quarries, abundant,
E. Newman. Sussex : Tunbridge Wells.
Thames.—Surrey : Albury, T. M.
Oiiie.—Suffolk : Yoxford ; Bungay, P. Stock. Norfolk, S. P.
TT^oodtcard. Northamptonshire.
Severn. Warwickshire; near Arbury Hall; Leamington, Br.
Allchin; Compton Yerney, B. Cameron. Gloucestershire: near
Bristol ; near Hyde ; Minohinhampton, Mrs. Camphell, &o. Monmouthshire
: Pen-y-garn, near Pont-y-pool, and on Mynydd-maen,
T. II. Thomas; Skirrid Vawr, near Abergavenny; Wyndoliff
woods, TV. H. Purehas. Herefordshire: Downton, A". Lees; The
Dowards on the Wye. Worcestershire: Breedon hill, E. Lees;
Bromsgrove. Staffordshire: abundant, E. Newman; Eoton Tor,
Rev. A. Bloxam. Shropshire : BlodweU rooks ; Whitoliff near
Ludlow, Mr. TVestcott; by the Teme, near Downton Castle, E. Lees.
Trent.—Leicestershire. Nottinghamshire : Oxton and Bulwoll
Churches, J. E. Sidebotham; Worksop. Derbyshire: Dovedale;
Matlock, Br. Howitt ; Peverel’s Castle, Peak’s Hole, and Castleton ;
Lover’s Leap near Buxton.
Mersey.—Cheshire : Rostherne Church, TV. TVilson. Lancashire :
Burnley near Colne, S. Gibson; near Lancaster, J. Bell.
Humber.—Yorkshire: about Settle, J". YaiAam; Rivaulx Abbey ;
Eeokdale, Helmsley Blackmoor (form approaching decurrens), A.
Clapham; Egglestone bridge on the Greta, T. Simpson; near
Richmond, J. TVard; Dropping Well, Knaresborough; Anston
rocks near Sheffield ; Castle Howard Park ; Halifax ; Aysgarth
Bridge, Wensleydale ; Bradford, J. T. Newboult ; and other parts.
Tyne.—Durham : Cauldron Snout, &o. Northumberland : Halt-
whistle ; Mitford Church near Morpeth ; Linhope, on the Cheviot
Range, Rev. R. Taylor.
Lakes.—Cumberland : Lamplugh, J. Bickenson; Borrowdale, Miss
TVright ; Holm Rock ; Miokledore ; Braithwaite Brow, Egremont, J.
Robson ; near Penrith ; and elsewhere abundant throughout the lake
district. Westmoreland: Kendal; Ambleside, G. B. TVollaston;
Fairfield; Windermere, F. Clowes; and other parts. N. Lancashire
; Silverdale.
S. Wales.—Radnorshire. Brecknockshire : Brecon, E. Williams.
Glamorganshire : Pont-nedd-Yechn, &c. ; abundant. Cardiganshire.
N. Wales.—Anglesea. Denbighshire : Llangollen ; near Wrexham,
J. E. Bowman ; Euthin, T. Pritchard. Flintshire : Castle
Dinas. Montgomeryshire : Craig Breiddin, Bev. W. A. Leighton.
Merionethshire : Barmouth. Carnarvonshire : Llanberris ; Cmns
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