THE COMMON HARD FRHN. 



brown ; terminal and adherent to the caudex ; and, as well as the mollis, channelled in front, rounded 

 and prominent behind. The fertile fronds have a longer dark-coloured stipes, of from five to ten inches 

 long, and the raclns is more distinctly purple. 



Vernation cireinato. 



Fronds (the barren ones) averaging about a foot, but varying from six to eighteen inches in length 

 one or two inches in breadth, dark green, spreading or prostrate, linear lanceolate, pectinatcly-pinnatifid. 

 Lobes linear oblong. Hat, somewhat falcately curved in an upward direction* diminishing below; the 

 lower ones, small, roundish, the upper confluent into a lanceolate point, dilated and contiguous at their 

 base, bluntish or acute at their aj>cx, the margins entire, or rarely, when Ycry vigorous, obscurely lobed. 

 Fertile fronds of the same form, taller,— one to two feet high — erect, pinnate below, growing from the 

 centre of the crown. Pinnw and segments linear acute, contracted to about half the width of the barren 

 segments, the lower ones distant* the upper more contiguous, and then dilated and confluent at the 

 base. Intermediate fronds, S|mringly fertile and not contracted, are sometimes produced. 



Venation of the barren fronds distinct* that of the lobes consisting of a stout midvein, producing 

 once or twice-forked wins, the venules terminating within the margin in a small transparent club-shaped 

 head. The venation of the fertile fronds is altered in consequence of their contracted nature, and 

 consists of a series of veins, seldom having space to become forked, but becoming lost in the continuous 

 longitudinal S|N>raiigifcrous receptacle which runs parallel with and very near to the midvein- Tn the 

 less contracted fertile fronds, the venules are continued towards the margin exterior to the receptacle. 



Fructification on the back of the fertile fronds aud occupying nearly tho whole under surface. Sort 

 indnsiate, linear, extending on each side the midrib, the whole length of the narrow pinmc, over which 

 they soon become confluent Receptacte continuous, longitudinal. Indicium a narrow linear seariose 

 membrane attached along tho exterior side of the receptacle, within the margin of the frond, but 

 sometimes from the excessive contraction of the pimue almost marginal. Spore-cases nearly globose. 

 Spore* roundish oblong or ovate, slightly angular and punctate. 



Duration* Tho caudex is |»ercnnial, the plant is evergreen, the old fronds continuing through winter, 

 and young ones springing up about May. 



This is a very elegant and distinct-looking Fern, and on that account, no less than for its evergreen 

 character, it deserves to Ixs more frequently cultivated. Its long narrow pectinately divided li'0iids> tho 

 barren and fertile growing separate, aflbrd easy marks of recognition. 



There exists a diflerenco of opinion among botanists as to the generic position of this plant, 

 some referring it to Lomaria, while others retain it in Jtlechnum. The differences between those 

 genera are merely those of degree, both having continuous longitudinal sori ; those in Lomaria arc 

 marginal, ami in BUcJmurn arc placed near the midvein. In this instance, the contraction of the frond 

 brings the otherwise costal sorus very near to the margin, but as there is usually, aud often very 

 distinctly, a space exterior to it> the plant seems to accord best with the structure of Jileefmum, in 

 which we continue to place it, notwithstanding tho Zo;/*«ri«-like contraction of the fertile fronds. 



In cultivation it prefers a northern exposure, abundant moisture, and a somewhat retentive soil. 

 It is a very ornamental plant for rockwork where these conditions can be fultilled, but does not so well 

 as others bear the confinement of pot or house culture. It is increased by division. In transplanting, 

 the roots should be carefully preserved, with a good mass of soil. 



There arc many forms aberrant from the type of the species ; these arc enumerated below, chiefly 

 in .Mr. Wollastons notes : — 



1. lanei/olium (\V.). This is the least divided form of the species, bearing much resemblance to 

 Lomaria Patersoni, and is perhaps the most striking of all the varieties. It is as if the plant was 

 in process of formation. Generally the fronds arc entire and strap-shaped, from the apex down- 

 wards for one-third or even half their length, while the remainder is obtusely lubate or distantly 



