THE MALE FERN, 



occur* in the British plant* As UiO s|K>re-cascs enlarge, they are unable to lift olT the indusium, in 

 consequence of its constricted margin, ami the result is that the edge becomes split op)K>sitc the sinus. 

 The iiulusinm is then pushed up by the advancing S]wre-ca8cs, the upper margin is apparently brought 

 nearer the point of attachment* and the two halves assume the appearance which attracted the 

 attention of Prof* ttraiiti. Exactly the same structure of Indusium occurs in the other species referred 

 to this supposed genus— a Columbian plant collected by 1 1 nrtweg. 



The culture of the Male Fern is not at all difficult It may be grown in any cool shady place, in 

 almost any kind of soil t the best being a windy loam, moist, but not wet. It may be planted with good 

 effect about shady walks, in woods ami wilderness scenery, and on shady rock work. The variety ind$a 

 is the most striking, where effect only, and not variety, is the object. Potted plants require ample 

 space, and should l>e plunged out-doors in winter. It is increased by division. 



The following is an enumeration of the principal variations. For most of (he memoranda we are 

 indebted to -Mr. Wollaston ; who, it is right <o state, considers our varieties pateacea and pnmila to be 

 distinct species,* and refers the variety cristate — the most important of the whole in an ornamental 

 point of view — as a variety to the former. 



1. paleacea (M.)« This variety, called Jfoncri by Mr. Newman, and p$mtifo-mQ$ by Mr. Wollaaton, 

 is sub-bipinnate, the lower pinnules only being distinct; the pinnules are oblong, truncately -obtuse, 

 and serrated at the apex. It differs from the normal plant in being of a yellowish hue, somewhat 

 glaucous beneath, and in having its stipes and rachis quito shaggy, with lustrous golden-brown scales. 

 It also diOcrs, as already mentioned, in having the purple ribs and veins, and in the sides of the 

 indusium Iwing inflected beneath the spore-cases. It is a widely dispersed, and probably not 

 uncommon form. 



2. rmffifida (W.). This form of variation shows itself in the typical Fitix-ma# as well as in the 

 golden-scaled type to which the present is referred. The peculiarities consist in the apex of 

 the frond, and of more or fewer of the pinna) being bifid or multifid ; ami the pinme are also 

 Occasionally depauperated to a mere rib. It is not quite permanent under cultivation, but 

 nearly so. 



3. cristate (M.). This very beautiful aberration, also referable to the golden -scaled type, is exactly 

 analogous in character to the Athgrium Fitix-fcmina, var. multi/idum, and is possibly still more 

 beautiful. The apex of the frond and the apices of the pinme throughout its whole length, are 

 beautifully and uniformly tufted or tnssellcd ; the pinme are also somewhat shorter than usual, and 

 narrow rapidly towards the tassel. The most beautiful form having these peculiarities was found at 

 Charleston, near St Austell, in Cornwall. Other plants resembling this have been found in 

 Devonshire and Staffordshire. Like all other permanent varieties, this is produced freely and 

 almost without variation from the spores.f 



4. prolifvm (W.). This was raised from sjwres of the variety cristate, and resembles it in being 

 Easselled, but it is much more cris|XHl, as well as depauperated, and laciuiated ; ite chief peculiarity 



* Sir. Woilarton ha* obligingly toakinunicalod tbo following diagnostic* aa iW mutt of lib cmpilry into ton dittinctneaa of the Common and the 



(»*1iti i-- 1'iL ''"ii- 1. ■■ .-l.iiTn.N-r-H i,r. Ci^-n :" r .. n fn-l. • - i .v *\*h " n t.-.* ijuH* ■ ■ i*,ir- | Uftd MBtflJ plnaTOl I frOtt !'.■■ pfakDN nt || .■ | .t. dh 



part of a typical frond were tolen for examination, 



L* Fitis-wsA ; nimmlo- ~ * idea vuhprrnnuMal serrate, end anile * rratc, cpidermi* of under #wJo «UuInr Rlabroua \ indotiuin aubrtnifonu lafRC, 



enva'dtd, imbricate, tbo margin* turned outward* ; cellular It mix* cvam* ; vein nYiuoti*, uncoJoufvd. 

 /„ l*Uw* :— pinnule— n idea |«raUcl crcnatc, end obtuac aerr&tc, rpidennb of under aide coriacooua mbglaucou* ; ldiIunuui tmall remform, 

 rneWing the ri*inxa*** ; cellular itatu* finer than in Filit-i***; mn atrai x ltt ( e»coured,lbo an$c more acute, 

 t It may be mentioned aa a (art of aomc irajwrtancc, thai the permanent ao-mltcd tarietica of onr hardy Kern* are very generally, if not in every 

 uur, reproduced from their a^torr*, and in most ovar* abundantly kl Uundrvda of thia create*! form of Ftlif-wMt, of the inulUtM A*fUmu** 

 7W^o«ii« ( andor»niroftK«nio*trrmarUblo of tbo fomw of £k*t4f*n<M*m, hav* boon rawed in ihh «ay. Tbe&ct of wnrodurtion from tbo 

 nr-jrea la* been in tonic inrianrca couriered a* the Uut of a *jmvjc*, and It it a lc»t to which one mould. At first thought, be inclined to submit, but 

 tbo experience of Fern-grower* *hon* A to hnve no value whalotcr aiuoti^ Fern^ Optvpiefi* fibkir#** t whirh baa tlio uport of a vjweie*, i* 

 n-pnxluivd fntm iU uKirea, and the tart might teem to prove ita ditlinctneta; but tbo fom« nrferrv^l ta alnive aw clearlt not tpteic*, but rarielica of 

 miH^knouii gpcvieis and lh*v, too, arc rci»ro4ticod with oquol ronktaney. 8o that tho tott uf ro(4XH!urliua fann the fpore*, faili a* tbo marl 

 of a iDceiea. Hie fact itaelf, ia probably Mujgeatito that aporve nrv U*Yn* nilher of the nature of bnda than of teeda. 



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