subordinate rank of varieties, more especially as the raising of
Ferns from seed must, before long, set at rest for ever this wearisome
inquiry.
Of the Asplénium fontanum of our Fnglish authors, a beautiful
little plant, and a great favoui'ite in cultivation, I have given
a figure below. Sir J. F . Smith says that it occurs “ on shady
old walls, or rocks, very rare. At Amersham, or Agmondesham
chmxh, Bucks, found by a Mr. Bradney, according to Hudson,
and from whence it was brought alive to Kew garden, by the
late Mr. Aiton, from whom I have a specimen ; but the churcli
has been whitewashed and the plant destroyed. Mr. Hudson
gathered the same in a stony situation near Wyhourn, in Westmoreland,
or rather, perhaps, Wihorn, in Cumberland.”— English
Flora, vol. iv. p. 312. Mr. Francis adds to the above information
: “ I have been informed that living plants were found at a
waterfall in either Northumberland or Westmoreland, ten or
twelve years ago, and also that it once grew on Alnwick castle ;
but if so, it is no longer found there.”—Analysis o f the British
Ferns, ^c. p. 41. All these records appear to be involved in
doubt, with the exception of that relating to Amersham church,
where, if really found by Mr. Aiton, I presume it must have
been previously planted.
i: 'I
i'
Alt.
A SYNOPTICAL TABLE
GENERA OF FERNS, AS FOUND IN TH E WORKS OF BRITISH
AUTHORS.
F IL IC E S ANNULATÆ.
The thecæ are provided with an elastic marginal ring, by the operation of which the
cups containing the seeds are torn asunder, and the seeds dispersed.
S e c t io n I.—F i l ic e s a n n u l a t æ v e r æ .—Thecæ attached in masses to the bach of
^ the frond.
F a m il y I .— Adiantaceoe.— Thecæ covered by a marginal or submarginal, prolonged
or elongate portion of the frond, or its superior cuticle : in some
instances having the appearance of an indusium, in others being
evidently a portion of the frond.
A d ia n t u m (Smith).—The margin of the frond itself reflexed, and the
reflexed portion bearing nearly circular masses of thecæ. British
Species, 1, C a p i l l u s V e n e r i s ; Exotic species, very numerous.
Blechnum (Smith).—Thecæ attached in a continuous line parallel to each side
of the midvein; the line of thecæ is covered by a continuous
indusium, from the back of which lateral veins issue, and extend
in parallel lines to the margin. Exotic species, I. Lanceola;
2. Trifoliatum ; 3. Unilaterale, and about forty others.
L o m a r ía (Loudon) Thecæ and indusium continuous and linear, as in
Blechnum, but either marginal or submarginal, no lateral veins
extending beyond the indusium to the margin. British species,
' 1 . S p ic a n t .
Stegania (Gray).—Apparently identical with Lomaria. Exotic species,
1. Patersmi; 2. Lanceolata ; 3. Fluviatilis, and several others.
P t e r i s (Smith).—Thecæ in a continuous marginal line, covered by a
continuous marginal indusium. British species, 1 . A q u il in a .
Exotic species, ninety-four.
F a m il y II .—Polypodiaceæ.—Thecæ in a circular mass, uncovered by any indusium.
A l l o s o r u s ( L o u d o n ) .— Margin of the frond convolute, concealing the
masses of thecæ. British species, 1. C r i s p u s . Exotic species,
few in number.
A
ill