FERNS. 211 
Derrick. In his paper on the Ferns of Guernsey (Zrans. Guern. 
Soc. Nat. Sc., 1882-89, p. 51) Mr. Derrick describes it as growing, 
when first found, ‘in every favourable spot throughout the 200 feet 
of hedgebank,’ ‘but he adds that ‘the crop becomes less yearly.’ 
In 1890, when I first saw Gymnogramme here, there was not very 
much, and it did not appear to increase in subsequent years. 
Being an annual, however, it may be that the plant is more plentiful 
in certain favourable seasons. Mr. Derrick expresses the opinion, 
in the paper above mentioned, that this is the last remnant of a 
once more common plant, rather than a recent introduction from 
Jersey : and he supports this view by the fact that all his attempts 
to spread it in other parts of the island have failed. The nativeness 
of this little fern in Jersey is, I suppose, not questioned : and so in 
Guernsey it may be regarded as a very probable native. It was 
discovered in Jersey in the year 1852, and the first notice of it was 
published in the Gardeners Chronicle, January 29, 1853. It was 
also recorded in the Phytologist for the same year. 
Blechnum boreale, Sw. Hard Fern. 
Native. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Generally distributed, but not common, and seldom occurring in 
quantity in any station. Much more frequent in the southern half 
of the island, than in the lowlands. This fern is the Osmunda 
spicant of Gosselin’s list. 
Pteris aquilina, L. Common Brake or Bracken. 
Native. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Very common in all districts in suitable localities: abundant on 
the cliffs, and on Lancresse Common. Said to have been some- 
times found seven feet high, but specimens of such dimensions are 
extremely rare in this island. 
This fern is known by the patois name of Fouaille or Foudle ; 
the small cottagers cut and dry it for use as bedding for cattle 
and pigs. The French name /ougére is not used in this island. 
(It is asserted in Ansted’s Channel Islands, p. 182, that the 
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Capillus-veneris) has been found in 
Alderney, but no authority is mentioned for the statement. I have 
no confirmatory evidence of the occurrence of this species anywhere 
in the islands within this area.) 
Osmunda regalis, L. Royal Fern. Flowering Fern. 
Native. First found: Gosselin, 1788. 
Very rare: probably now extinct. It is said that at one time 
this splendid fern was fairly plentiful in Guernsey: but now it is 
doubtful if a single wild root could be found. In 1882 Mr. Derrick 
stated that he still knew six different stations for it; and in 1891 I 
