124 FILICES 
A fern which is so nearly allied in some points to this species, and in 
others to the characters of Lastréa spinuldsa, that it might be regarded as a 
variety of either, is sometimes termed Lastréa uliginésa. It grows on the 
boggy heath, and is occasionally the companion of the two species which it 
resembles, but it is a rare plant. It is similar to the Crested Fern while 
young, in the form of its half-developed fronds, though when fully grown it 
looks more like LZ. spinuldésa. It has two kinds of frond. ‘The fertile fronds 
are nearly erect, and form somewhat circular clumps about two or three feet 
high. The barren fronds are narrower, not so erect, and taper at the summit 
into a very long narrow form ; the pinne, too, are narrow and tapering, with 
oblong-pointed pinnules, rather deeply notched at their margins, each serra- 
ture being tipped with a fine hardened point. 
The mid-vein of the pinnules is somewhat winding, with side-veins 
branching from it; the lowest branch on the side towards the apex of the 
pinnule bearing a cluster ; the clusters forming two lines down each pinna. 
7. Narrow Prickly-toothed or Crested Fern (L. spinulésa).—Fronds 
linear, nearly erect, lanceolate, twice pinnate; pinnules pinnatifid ; indusium 
persistent. This fern is frequent in well-wooded districts, growing beneath 
the green shadow of the trees, or in spots rendered damp by the streams 
which wander through the wood. It is about three feet in height, nearly 
erect, and narrow. It is twice pinnate; the pinnules nearest the stalk being 
larger than the upper ones, and thus giving a tapering form to the pinne. 
The pinnules are oblong, somewhat narrowing upwards, their edges deeply 
cut, and the lobes serrated with spiny points. It is, however, only the 
lowest pinnules on the lowest pinne which are thus lobed, those towards the 
top of each pinna, as well as those nearest the base of the pinne at the 
upper part of the frond, being scarcely lobed, or not lobed at all, though 
still serrated and spinous. A few broad, roundish, almost transparent scales 
clothe the stipes. The veining is very similar in all these allied ferns. A 
slightly winding mid-vein runs through the less divided pinnules, giving off 
branched veins. The clusters of spore-cases are placed upon the smaller 
veins, which issue from these branches about half-way between the rib and 
the margin, generally forming two lines on each pinnule. The same mode 
of veining is found in the more divided pinnules, the smaller veins being 
more numerous. Kidney-shaped indusia, with uncut margins, cover the 
clusters. This species is by many writers considered but a sub-species of 
the following, or vice versd. It is also the Aspidium spinuldsum or Nephrodium 
spinuldsum of other writers. The sub-species L. remotum appears to be mid- 
way between this and L. filix-mas. It is distinguished by having the stipes 
clothed with lance-shaped scales of uniform pale brown colour, from the base 
to the rachis, and the lower pinne somewhat distant. It has been recorded 
from Windermere, and has at times been regarded as a distinct species. 
8. Broad Prickly-toothed or Buckler Fern (L. dilatdta).—Fronds 
arched, lanceolate or triangular, twice pinnate ; pinnules pinnate or pinnatifid ; 
indusium kidney-shaped. This pretty fern, which is one of the most com- 
pound of our native species, is usually about two or three feet in height. 
Its luxuriance, however, depends greatly on the spots on which it grows, and 
it sometimes attains the height of five feet, becoming under these circum- 
