THE ROYAL, OR FLOWERING FERN 
ы е; some entirely barren, others having several of the 
udly-lanceolate, bipinnate, occasionally tripinn: 
upper pinnae transformed into a terminal fertile panicle. Pinna (sterile) nearly opposite, lanceolate or 
sessile, 
iecolate, impari-pinnate, distant. Pinnules opposite or alternate, one to two inches lo 
slightly faleate, rounded or somewhat dilated at the base 
oblong or oblong-ovate, obtuse, someti 
especially on the posterior side; sometimes distinctly aurieled, occasionally deeply lo 
with the lobes separated ; the terminal ones, which aro more acute than the rest, usually lobed at the 
base ; the margins are obscurely erenated, or sometimes ser 
IT nearly opposite eins, which 
of a stout midvein 
are forked once near their base, and again once or twice before reaching the margin in which they arc 
lost; they are parallel and slightly curved. 
Fructifcation consisting of the upper pinnas (usually wholly, sometimes only in part) changed into a 
bipinnated panicle of contracted rachiform eapsuliferous divisions, Each short spike-like branch of this 
panicle represents one of the pinnules, the spore-cases being collected on it into little more or less 
evident nodules ; each of these nodules corresponding to a fascicle of the veins. This is quite evident 
in the case of the partially transformed pinnules. Spore-cases subglobose, reddish-brown, reticulated, 
Iy-stalked, tw 
valved, opening vertically. Spores smoothish, globose ovate or oblong, 
Duration. "The caudex is perennial, ‘The fronds are annual, growing up very rapidly early in 
Мау; the panicles reach maturity early in summer, and soon decay, and the fronds themselves are 
destroyed by the autumnal frosts 
‘This, the most stately of the British Ferns, well deserving the striking name assigned to it, is at once 
known from all other native species, by its entirely fertile panicle terminating the otherwise leafy 
fronds. "There is moreover abundant technical distinction, in the structure of its spore-cases 
Tt is a very handsome plant at all times, but especially beautiful when, in very luxuriant growth, 
its fronds loaded at their tips by the fertile panicles are bent down gracefully until they almost reach 
the surface of the water by the side of which they are growing, Hence it should always find a place in 
cultivated collections. It is of easy culture, requiring much moisture, and preferring а peaty soil. Dy 
b 
the Osmunda would find itself at home; and no special culture would be necessary. Like most other 
the margin of Jakes or streams, or at t of a rockery abutting on an artificial bog or pool, 
ferns it grows finest in sheltered places. It is increased by dividing the tufts; but it is by far the best 
plan in planting such species as the present, to procure vigorous masses from the localities where they 
