THE ROYAL, OR FLOWERING FERN. 



broadly-lanceolate, bipinuatc, occasionally tripinnato ; some entirely barren, others having several of the 

 upper piniuc transformed into a terminal fertile panicle. Pinna; (sterile) nearly opposite, lanceolate or 

 ovate-lanceolate. imimri-piiinatc, distant Pinnuhs opposite or alternate, one to two inches long ; sessile, 

 oblong or oblong-ovate, obtuse, sometime* slightly falcate, rounded or somewhat dilated at the base 

 especially on the posterior wide ; sometimes distinctly auriclcd, occasionally deeply lobed, sometimes 

 with the lobes separated ; the terminal ones, which are more acute than the rest, usually lobed at the 

 base ; the margins are obscurely crenatcd. or sometimes serrated. 



Venation of the sterile pinnules consisting of a stout midvein giving olV nearly opposite ratflj, which 

 are forked once near their base, and again once or twice before reaching the margin in which they are 

 lost; they are parallel and slightly curved. 



Fructification consisting of the upper pinme (usually wholly, sometimes only in part) changed into a 

 bipinnated panicle of contracted rachifonu capsuliforous 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 Jess 

 evident nodules ; each of these nodules corres|Kniding to a fascicle of the veins- This is quite evident 

 in the case of the partially transformed pinnules* Spore-cases subglobose, reddish-brown, reticulated, 

 shortly-stalked, two-valvcd, opening vertically. Spores smoothish, globose ovate or oblong. 



Duration. The caudex is perennial. The fronds are annual, growing up very rapidly early in 

 May; 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 tx> 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. 



It 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 lind a place in 

 cultivated collections. It is of easy culture, requiring much moisture, and preferring a peaty soil By 

 the margin of lakes or streams, or at the base of a rockery abutting on an artificial bog or pool, 

 the Ownunda would find itself at home ; and no special culture would be necessary. Like most other 

 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 

 are spontaneous. 



