5. latifolium (Bab.). This is a peouliar-looking variety of Lady
Fern, and being like other varieties reproduced from the spores, we
cannot, as some have done, regard it as a nonentity. Its most
remarkable peculiarities consist in the irregular outline of the pinnæ,
in the densely crowded condition and unequal size, as well as uneven
toothing or laoiniation of the pinnules, and in the situation of the
sori. The fronds are throe feet or more in height, bipinnate, oblong-
lanceolate, flaccid,' and of a dark green colour, Tbe stipes is about
the average length, scaly especially below, stout ; the raohis also is
stout. The pinnæ are short, and distant below, approximate or even
crowded upwards, alternate, linear-oblong, irregular in outline, with
a tendency to become cuspidate at the apex. The pinnules are ovate,
or oblong-ovate, blunt or acute, flat, unequal in size, oblique, tbe
anterior side being largest, stalked or having a narrow stalk-hlce
attachment, overlapping; they are laoiniate-pinnatifid, deeply so at
the base, the lobes oblong and irregularly toothed ; the lobes become
smaller upwards, and eventually towards tbe apex merge into long
acute teeth, tbe teeth being usually unequal in size ; the peculiar
toothed margin produces a fimbriated appearance, The veins are
branched in the manner already described, and tbe sori are produced
on tbe anterior side of tbe lowest anterior venule ; but the vein becomes
branched at a greater distance from the midvein than is usually
the case, and thus the sori are ranged in two distant hues, about midway
between the midvein and the margin ; they are small and conspicuously
curved. This variety was found by Miss Wright, near
Keswick, in Cumberland, where but a plant or two was discovered ;
and it does not appear to have been met with elsewhere. It is a
very graceful variety of vigorous habit. [Plate LIV A.—Folio ed.
t. XXXI B.]
6. conioides (App.). This form grows about a couple of feet in
height, and its pale-coloured stipites are furnished with light brown
scales. The fronds are broad lanceolate, and in the outline and
cutting of their divisions have a certain resemblance to the leaves
of the hemlock, whence the name. The pinnæ are irregular in
outline, rather distant and more or less acuminate ; the pinnules
are variable in size and outline, usually ovate, sometimes oblong,
decurrent at the base, somewhat distant, notched with shallow
distant lobes almost to tbe apex, the lobes again notched with small
short teeth. When fertile the pinnules become tapered to an acute
point, and the lobes are narrowed and more distant; forked or ramose
pinnules are not uncommon. The sori are produced about the base
of the lobes, and thus form a line about parallel witb the sinuses. It
was found by Mr. S. Appleby, at Oantley, near Doncaster.
7. acuminatum (M,). A very curious and pretty dwarf variety.
It has short stipites furnished with narrow contorted pale-coloured
scales. The fronds are rather more than a foot high, broadly
lanceolate. Tbe pinnæ are somewhat crowded, short and deflexed
below, the longer ones each ending in a longish serrated acuminate
point. The pinnules are distinct but decurrent, linear-ohlong, often
narrowed below, blunt at the apex, numerous, patent, pinnatifid in
the lower part, and cut around the blunt apex into longisb acute
teeth; tbe teeth of the lobes are also acute. The sori are numerous, in
lines near the costa. It is altogether a slender-looldng and elegant
jflant, its peculiarities consisting in its acuminated pinnæ, and narrow
oblong pinnules. The plant was gathered some years since on
Snowdon, by Mr. W. Pamplin, and is quite constant under cultivation.
[Plate LY A.]
8. stenodon (M.). A very elegant dwarf or dwarfish form, varying
from one foot to a foot and a half in height. The stipites are dull
red, and furnished with tawny brown scales. The fronds are lanceolate,
with right-angled oblong acuminate pinnæ. Tbe pinnules are
approximate, oblong or linear-oblong, bluntisb, united by a narrow
wing along tbe raohis, unequal sized, pinnatifid below with toothed
lobes, simply toothed above, the teeth narrow, regular, and somewhat
elongated. The raohis is stoutish, pale dull red. It has been
communicated from—Surrey : Gomshall, E. Morse. Devonshire :
Ilfracombe, Bev. J. M. Chanter. Yorkshire : Scarborough, A. Clap-
ham. The scales, in a closely allied plant from Devonshire, are
black. Sometimes tbe pinnules are of very unequal length, and tbe
teetb are enlarged, in wbicli state it somewhat resembles laciniatum
(35). The fine elegant toothing is remarkable. [Plate LIII 0.]
9. tenue (M.). This variety is of medium size, and is chiefly
remarkable for its slender drooping character. The fronds
are about a foot and a half long, broad-lanceolate, bipinnate.
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