F£/^.VS. 249 



makes ? difference in the outline and texture of the frond that might 

 easily deceive a casual observer. 



The fertile, or fruit-bearing frond, like that of Onoclea Striithiopteris, 

 is distinct from the sterile or foliaceous one. It does not appear till late 

 in the month of August or the beginning of September, and the seeds do 

 not ripen till October. It remains persistent through the winter, and 

 old stalks will continue through the following summer, till, battered and 

 worn, they decay and disappear. These fertile fronds seem to be the 

 production of the root-stock of several years' growth, certainly not less 

 than three, and probably the perfect condition may not be arrived at 

 under four or five years' growth. I have noticed large beds of Onocleas 

 continue year after year without a single fruit-bearing frond, while in 

 beds of older and stronger plants the seed-bearing plants were abundant. 



The appearance of the fertile frond of Onoclea is very handsome 

 and remarkable ; the stiff, upright, rigid stipe is surmounted by rows of 

 round berry-like spore-cases, formed by the contraction and altered 

 condition of a foliaceous frond. This may be observed both in the very 

 early and immature states of the fertile frond, and later when the spores 

 are shed and the ragged, worn envelope shows whence it had its 

 origin. At its first appearing the colour of the seed-vessels is of a 

 bluish green, but as the season advances they become of a dark 

 chestnut-brown, and have a pretty round bead-like appearance, forming 

 a close, upright, compound spike, each branch being formed by a 

 pin us, and each berry-like process by an altered lobe. Perhaps we 

 have not a more interesting fern among our Canadian species than 

 Onoclea seiisibilis, as a study, from the tiny little club-shaped seedling to 

 the old and perfect plant. 



Ostrich-Feather Fern — Onoclea Struthiopteiis^ (Hoffm.) 



In wet, marshy ground, on the swampy flats of low lying lakes and 

 boggy meadows, or on the banks of shaded creeks, we meet with the 

 fan-shaped, coarse, but grand looking Ostrich-Feather Fern. The large, 

 strong fronds rising from a central caudex form a circular crown slightly 

 bent outwards, making a graceful plume-like figure, whence its popular 

 name has been derived, and which is well suited to the picturesque 

 arrangement of the fronds. 



This fern is recommended as being easy of growth, bearing removal 

 from its native soil even when the fronds are well developed, provided 

 the pot, or box, or place in the rock-work be kept well-watered and 

 somewhat shaded from the sun. There is a great difference between 

 the plants growihg in open and exposed places, and such as are under 

 the shade of forest trees, the latter being more luxuriant, deeper coloured. 



