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THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



tion covers the whole of the under surface, and consists of round, 

 brown spore cases, which add much to the beauty of this fern. It 

 is evergreen, widely distributed, but only attains to a luxuriant 

 condition of growth in mild, moist climates ; hence, though occasion- 

 ally met with in the east of England, it is never so beautiful as in 



LASTREA ^MULA. 



the west. This circumstance gives the key to its cultivation. Ou 

 the open rockery it rarely thrives, except in districts where it is 

 found wild, in good condition ; but in the cool fernhouse, or the 

 "Wardian case, it grows freely, and requires absolutely no care beyond 



