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what prone to think that there is some sexual difference 

 between them. Experts know better, these terms being 

 merely descriptive of robustness in the one case, and 

 fragility in the other. The Lady Ferns, therefore, by 

 reason of their fragility, require shade and moisture, and 

 protection too in towns, whereas the Male Ferns — Lastreas 

 — on the other hand, will stand much more exposure and 

 even droughty conditions, therefore the Male Ferns are 

 poorly represented in my Fernery. 



The Filix mas. section consists only of linearis, /lucttwsa, 

 and /. cvistata ; but the psendo mas. group makes a better 

 show. L.p. mas. cvistata of course is there — it is in every 

 fernery worth the name, for no fernist could be without the 

 " King " of the group, with its symmetrical fronds, its 

 beautiful tassels, and its tree-like habit. 



Cvistata angtistata, as its name implies, has narrow fronds, 

 is of smaller proportions, but otherwise resembles its parent 

 pretty closely. C. fimhviata is dwarfer still, plumose in 

 character and altogether more refined in appearance. 

 Polydactyla Wills is another strong-growing fern one could 

 scarcely ignore *, it occupies a corner of the fernery, much 

 to that corner's advantage — I had almost said advertise- 

 ment — for it has eight sturdy fronds which average 

 over 4 ft. 6 in. long. These are broad in proportion, 

 splendidly " fingered," and at this season seem to produce 

 spores so prodigally that I really believe there is enough 

 to fill a lilliputian wheelbarrow ! It is quite a regal fern 

 compared with Dadd's variety, which, by-the-bye, I think 

 ought to be placed in the Filix mas. section, for its texture 

 is much thinner and its fronds only partially evergreen. 



Both these plants were tiny specimens in. 1897, and were 

 transferred from Mr. Druery's fernery to mine. When 

 I pause to reflect on these things I am conscious, not only 

 of the flight of time, but of indebtedness to ferny friends. 



Cvispa and C. cvistata ought to be mentioned as pot 

 plants, they are almost too insignificant for the border, for 

 there surely their dwarf and compressed crispy forms would 



