AUGUST. 357 
A most beautiful little Fern, and fortunately very common ; 
growing on rocks, banks, walls, and ruins. It is first seen 
in May and June, and soon arrives at maturity; but remains 
green throughout the winter. The frond is only a few 
inches in length, and narrow; the stalk is black, shining, 
and naked a third part of its length. The leaflets are dark 
green, and very numerous, egg-shaped, and a little cut at the 
edges; they are usually distinct and distant, though sometimes 
a little wrapping over each other. There are ten or twelve 
little seed-cases on the back of each; these, when ripe, are 
black, and run into one another. When the frond begins 
to decay, the leaflets fall off, and leave only the fine black 
stalk, which gives rise, I imagine, to the name of “ Maiden- 
hair,” which it sometimes receives. 
CRYPTOGAMIA. FILICEs. 
FoLiaAcE. FILICcEs. 
OSMUNDA. (Fiowertne Ferry.) 
Generic Character. Seeds contained in a cluster of spikes, 
corresponding to the shape of the frond, and placed at the top. 
OsMUNDA REGALIS. Common Flowering Fern. This is so 
