2i6 fEKA^S. 



chaffy or scaly buds, as may easily be seen in most, if not all, of the dorsal 

 ferns — those ferns that have the sori on the back of the frond, the 

 Aspidium family, Asplcniums, and others. If the ferns of this family be 

 examined in the Autumn months, the round, knobby, scaly buds will be 

 seen clustering the rhi/ome. On opening or dividing these, the perfect 

 green frond will be found clothed with soft brown scales, closely rolled 

 up and ready to expand as soon as the warm breath of Spring has 

 warmed the newly uncovered mould of the forest. 



Some ferns that extend a running root-stock along the ground, 

 have the protecting bud sharp and pointed. The frosts of Winter cannot 

 penetrate these coverings. Ferns of this sort are described as being 

 circinate, or folded within the bud in a circular form, and where this 

 arrangement is not present, other means have been provided tor the 

 preservation of the future growth. 



In the Moonwort or Botrychium family, the fronds are wrapped in 

 a thin membranous sheath, like that which is seen in bulbs, such as the 

 Crocus, Narcissus, and Snowdrops. The roots spring from a fleshy 

 crown, striking down deeply into the soil ; they are stout and fleshy, 

 covered with a tough brown skin ; in B. ternatum these roots are 

 furrowed with rings. The sheath protects the young frond till the 

 Summer is already advancing, and there is no fear of frost nor chilling 

 winds to injure the tender plant. In the Osmundas, the root-stock is 

 hard and long-lived ; the same plant enduring through many years, 

 rooted firmly lo its native soil, and hard to dislodge without the use of 

 a sharp instrument and strong arm to use it. 



The writer knows old plants of the Cinnamon Fern, Osiiiunda 

 cinnamoinea, and O. Claytoniana, which she became acquainted with 

 more than forty years ago. still growing and flourishing at this date. 

 O. Cloytoniana, with its beautiful broad waving fronds, used to be known 

 formerly by its descrii)tive specific name of Osmiinda mterrupta, which 

 indeed graphically described its peculiar habit, distinguishing it from all 

 other ferns ; it seems a pity to change a name so suitable for one that 

 conveys no distinct idea of the character of the species. 



The roots of those ferns, which arc nearer to the surface, are more 

 carefully guarded from injury by a close covering of scales, so that no 

 cold can penetrate within, as in such tender species as the elegant Winged 

 Polypody, Pliegopteris Dryopteris, the root-stock of which is horizontal, 

 creeping, and furnished with roundish white scales fine and thin, which 

 one might think would hardly be a sufficient protection to the tiny, 

 slender buds that it puts forth ; but there is always compensation in 

 Nature. This delicate fern is generally found among mosses, under the 

 shelter of the trunks of fallen trees, and covered by a warm coat of fresh 



