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proper is lost. The flat strap may be transformed into two 

 parallel deep frills, and these frills may bear beautiful 

 fringes, the plants so characterized, i.e. the cnspum section, 

 being certainly the most beautiful of all. Then the plain 

 edge may be saw-toothed or even deeply cut in quite obvious 

 attempts to assume the divided frond form of other species. 

 This has many grades. The smooth surface may be ridged, 

 roughened, and otherwise varied both above and below, the 

 two round lobes next the stalk may be extended into 

 pointed ones, and then into long tasselled ones, or even 

 into secondary fronds to form a trident one way or a barbed 

 arrow in another, and finally, two or three of these peculiari- 

 ties may be combined, so that a little consideration will 

 show that even the 450 does not exhaust the possible 

 combinations, and in point of fact only represents such 

 proportion of existing varieties as could be definitely 

 christened. It is, however, to the Lady Fern and Shield 

 Fern that we must look for the most beautiful forms, and 

 here it is the Lady Fern which, true to its name, has been 

 most inventive in new and charming fashions. The 

 plumose or extra feathery forms of both these species 

 constitute the elite of British Fern forms, the density and 

 lace-like delicacy of the finely cut frondage, and the grace 

 of the many stranded tassels which hang pendulously from 

 the tips of the divisions cannot possibly be conveyed except 

 by illustrations, and even then but faintly. In point of 

 fact we feel so strongly the impossibility of conveying any 

 adequate idea of what the finest forms of British Ferns 

 are like by mere words, that we will not attempt to do so, 

 but will merely invite special attention to their study when 

 private collections are available for a visit or public exhibi- 

 tions, such as are now being prepared, present the desired 

 opportunity. 



It is worthy of remark that with very rare exceptions all 

 these beautiful forms are perfectly hardy, of very easy 

 culture, and only require glass protection in such cases 

 where their delicacy of cutting or make demands protection 



