A t h y e i u m F i l i x - f oe m i n a , v . m u l t i f i d u m , Moore, Handb. Brit. Perns, 1 e d . 9 4 ;
3 e d . 1 4 6 , 1 5 3 ; Id ., Ferns o f Gt. Brit. Nature Printed, t . 33.
A t h y e i u m F i l i x - f oe m i n a , v . v i v i p a e a , Steele, Handb. Field Bot. 2 1 5 .
A th y h u um F i l ix -f oe m in a , ®. f u e c a t u m , o f g a r d e n s .
A t h y e i u m F i l i x - f oe m i n a , v . c e i s t a t u m , Wollaston MS. ,
Var. multiceps ; monstrous ; fronds tall, broad lanceolate, bipinnate,
tbeii- apices and those of the pinnæ symmetrically multifid-
orisped ; tassels all consisting of numerous narrow lacerate spreading
divisions ; pinnules oblong, unequal, inoiso-serrate.
A T im u u M F i l i x - f oe m i n a , ®. m u l t i c e p s , Moore, Px-oceed. Hort. Soc. Bond. i. 70.
Var. corymbiferum : monstrous ; fronds tall, broad lanceolate,
bipinnate, their apices and those of the pinnæ symmetrically
multifid-crisped ; tassels consisting of broad spreading tapered
segments whose rachides are furnished with normal pinnules ; pinnules
very broad, oblong, obtuse, pinnatifid ; stipes and raobis red.
[Plato LX III.]
THE LADY FERN. 18
A thy’E IU m F i l ix -e oe m in a , ®. c o e y m b if e e u m , Moore, Handb. B rit. Perns,
145, 156.
ed.
Var. grandiceps ; monstrous ; fronds subereot, bipinnate, divided
at tbe apex into a broad multifid-crisped tasseUed head; pinnæ
pinnate, with short oblong pinnules and small terminal tassels ;
unsymmetrioal.
Var. depauperatum : monstrous ; fronds subereot, bipinnate,
furcately divided at the apex in numerous narrow lacerate segments,
forming loosely tasselled tufts ; pinnæ small irregularly depauperated,
unsymmetrically laoerate-tasselled at their apices; sori small.
[Plate LXIV A.]
A t h y e iu m F i l ix -fc em in a , ®. d e f a u p b e a t u m , Wollastm MS. Moore, Ferns o f
Gt. Brit. Nature Printed, t. 34 B ; Id ,, Handb. Brit. Ferxxs, 3 ed. 146,
155.
A t h y e i u m F i l i x - f c e m i n a , v . e a m o s u m , Moore & Houlston, Oard. Mag. Bot. iii.
262. Moore, Handb. Brit. Ferns, 2 e d . 141.
Var. acrocladon : monstrous, dwarf, irregularly ramose, often
twice branohcdjthe ápices of the branches dilated and multifid-orisped
in dense tassels, having narrow projecting laciniately-toothed segments
; sori small, scattered. [Plate LXV.]
A t h y r iu m F i l ix -f oe m in a , ®. a c e o c l a d o n , ClaplMitt MS.
Var. crispum : monstrous, dwarf, irregularly ramose, the apices of
the branches and pinnæ dilated and multifid-orisped in compact obtuse
tassels ; sori small, scattered, often wanting. [Plate LXVI.]
A thy-e iu m F i l ix -f oe m in a , ®. c e i s p u m , Moore, Handb. Bril. Ferns. 1 e d . 94 ;
3 ed . 146, 165 ; Id ., Fcms o f Gt. Brit. Nature Prixited, t . 84 A.
A t h y e i u m F i l i x - f oe m i n a , v . S m i t h i i , o f g a r d e n s .
Caudex stout, erect or decumbent, sometimes elongated and trunklike,
often tufted, scaly at the crown. Scales lanceolate or ovate-
lanceolate, dark brown, sometimes almost black. Fibres strong,
wiry, blackish, branched, the younger parts tomentose.
Vernation oiroinate, the apex in the partially developed fronds
hecoming liberated and bent downwards in a curve like that of a
shepherd’s crook.
Stipes terminal, and adherent to the caudex, from about one-third
to one-fourth the entire length of the frond, pale green or dull
purplish red, stoutish, much thickened just above the base, so as to
become somewhat spindle-shaped, scaly ; scales numerous on the
lower part, lanceolate or linear, usually dark-coloured varying from
dark reddish brown to almost black, fewer and narrower on the upper
part, often contorted. Rachis channelled in front, rounded behind,
and furnished sparingly Yvith small narrow deciduous scales.
Fronds very variable in size, outKne, and division, soft herbaceous,
erect, spreading, or drooping, usually of a bright tender green, two
or three feet in height, and from nine inches to a foot in breadth ; the
smaller mature states from one to two feet high, and from three to
six inches broad. The outKne is lanceolate, sometimes broad, sometimes
narrowish. The less developed forms are scarcely bipinnate, the
pinnules being connected by the winged raohis, hut the more highly
developed forms are bipinnate, the pinnules being distinct. Pinnæ
numerous, pinnate, opposite or alternate, more distant below and there 'Jt
.•I Ml