160 OUR FERNS. 
Tue Bracken (Péeris aquilina).—This exists almost everywhere, 
often rising in the hedges to the height of five feet. The sori lie 
along the edges of the divisions. If the thick portion of the 
stem close to the ground be cut through, it will present a rough 
outline of the two-headed eagle with outspread wings—hence the 
specific name of aguilina, given it by Linneeus. 
Tue Roya FrErn (Osmunda regalis).—This has been added to 
our list since I left Wycombe. I long suspected it to grow in the 
locality in which it has at length been found—an opinion shared 
in by our Secretary, and we both made several visits in the 
hope of finding it, butin vain. It is often called the Flowering 
Fern, because when the spores are ripe the plant looks as if it 
were in flower, but this is a deception arising from the reflection 
of the edges of the pinnule. It has been known for some time to 
grow at Burnham Beeches, but that is outside our district. 
THe AppEr’s TonevE ( Ophioglossum vulgatum).—This curious 
fern has the frond divided into two branches, one leafy and entire, 
the other, the fertile one, erect and contracted, bearing the spores 
in its upper half. It loves humid situations. I first found it by 
’ the Thames at Marlow: it is plentiful also at Lane End. 
{The Moonwort ( Botrychiwn Lunaria) is reported to grow in the 
same neighbourhood, but I never met with any one who had 
found it. | , 
Hy. ULiyerr. 
The following localised list of Buckinghamshire Ferns may perhaps be of 
interest, as showing the extent of our present knowledge regarding those of 
the whole county. The English name of each species will be found in the 
preceding article. The localities following the initial § are in South Bucks ; 
those preceded by N are in the North of the county. <A species or locality in 
brackets requires confirmation. 
Polypodium vulgare, L. §, Wycombe, Beaconsfield, &e. NN. Near 
Buckingham (J, W. Waiker). 
P. Robertianum, Hoffm. §, King’s Wood, Hazlemoor, Wycombe. 
Lastrea Filiz-mas, Presl. S, and N, Bucks. 
L. spinulosa, Presl. S, Whittington Park, near Wycombe; Hazlemoor ; 
Loudwater; &e. 
