THE HAY-SCENTED BUCKLER FERN. 
sub-opposite, more or less deltoid. The lowest are broadly and unequally so, the pinnules on the posterior 
sido being larger than those on the anterior ; they are also usually, but not always, the longest ; the 
succeeding pinnae become gradually narrower and less oblique, Pinnules pyramidately-triangular 
ок obliquely-oblong, the basal posterior ones of the lowest pinnze much longer than the rest, and 
the largest of which are deeply pinnatifid into oblong 
пораза Био ovate oblong or oblong мощей 
the upper ones becoming 
rated lobes, The basal pinna pinnules, and pinnulets are all stalk: 
in gradation sessile and then decurrent. The margins of the pinnules and lobes аге mucronately 
toothed, and these margins are turned upwards from tho plane of the spreading or drooping frond, 
so that all the ultimate divisions are concave, and tho entire frond has a beautiful crispy appearance, 
which, together with its lively colour and graceful habit, render it one of the most ornamental of the 
robust Ferns, 
Venation of the pinnulets consisting of a dark-coloured flexuous midvein formed of a branch from. 
the midvein of the primary pinnule; this produces short lateral forked reinlets, the anterior branch 
‘of which bears a sorus below its apex; all terminate within the margin, 
Fructiication on the back of the frond occupying the whole under surface. Sori round, numerous, 
indusiato, forming two rows along each of the pinnules and pinnulets, placed near to the midvein, often 
becoming confluent, Zndusium reniform, its margin jagged and uneven, and sparingly furnished wit 
sessile glands, Spore-cases numerous, brown, obovate. Spores oblong, often angular, muriculat 
Duration. ‘The caudex is perennial, The fronds of one season's growth also endure until after th 
earlier ones of the following year are produced, so that the plant is evergreen, The growth takes place 
їп succession from the month of May onwards till autumn. 
This beautiful plant is quite distinct both in characters and aspect from Z. dilatata with which it is 
dated. Its fragrance, which is а remarkable characteristic, is powerful, resembling that of 
new hay, becoming too, like that, developed by the desiceation of the plant, and retaining its strength for 
a length of time in the dried specimens of the herbarium, The scales of the stipes differ from t 
L. dilatata, both in size, form, and number, being in Z. fenisecit fewer, narrower, and for the most part 
either fringed or lacerate at the margin, pale brown, and concolorous, The fronds too are much more 
decidedly evergreen than in Z. dilatata or spinulosa > and have this peculiarity in their decay, observed 
by Dr. Allehin, that they commence to decay from the point, and not from the base of the stipes, Т 
indusium, moreover, is not bordered with stalked glands, In ordinary cases, the triangular outlin 
and concave crispy surface of the fronds will sulico to distinguish the plant, without recourse to the 
more minute characters residing in the scales and indusia ; but it must be remembered that the plant 
does vary with more elongated and ovate fronds, and some forms of Æ. dilatata aro decidedly 
triangular in outline 
Ie grows freely in cultivation, planted in a porous soil of loam and peat; and is to be considered as 
‘one of the most ornamental of our native species. The plants may bo multiplicd by separating the 
