OUR FERNS. 159 
Tue Lavy Fern (Athyrium).—Opposed altogether in appear- 
ance to filix-mas is A. filix-femina, which ‘‘on account of the 
exquisite grace of its habits of growth, the elegance of its 
form, and the delicacy of its hue, claims precedence over every 
other British species.” It is recognised at once by these 
characteristics, as well as by the fringed indusium. In the deep 
glades of King’s Wood it makes a pleasing contrast to the more 
robust forms ; in Whittington Park it is almost as plentiful as 
the Male Fern. 
Tue SpireEnworts (Asplenium).—These have narrow single 
sort (lines of spores) running in the same direction as the veins of 
the frond. The Wall Rue (A. Ruta-muraria) and the Common 
Maidenhair Spleenwort (4. Zrichomanes) were both to be found 
on a wall at West Wycombe. The Black Maidenhair Spleenwort 
(A. Adiantum-nigrum) grows in several places, plentifully at 
Wooburn and Beaconsfield. 
THE Hari’s Tonavue ( Scolopendrium).—This is an evergreen fern, 
delighting in moist situations, such as the banks of watercourses, 
sides of wells, &c., in which favourable spots the fronds will 
measure a couple of feet in length. The ordinary form 
(S. vulgare) has the leafy portion of the frond entire; there are 
varieties that divide and subdivide, but none are found here. 
__ It was formerly very plentiful on the upper bank of the stream 
_ flowing from the east end of the Park, but has since been 
eradicated. Now it is to be found in a few of our lanes. 
_ Tue Scare Fern (Ceterach officinarum).—This, in company 
_with the two Spleenworts before mentioned, is found only on a 
_wall at West Wycombe: the fronds are dwarfed, thick, and of a 
~ dull green colour, the back is covered with ele scales. 
_All these wall ferns are difficult to transplant, and still more 
| difficult to cultivate: it is therefore to be hoped that they may 
“not be exterminated for that purpose. 
_ Tue Harp Fern (Blechnum boreale).—A plant deriving its name 
By. from its rigid appearance: there are two kinds of fronds, barren 
__ and fertile, the latter having the divisions long and narrow. It 
_ is abundant in Whittington Park, and occurs in other of our 
; woods and hedges. 
