390 Derbaceous (Plants. 



Flowering Ferns, Osmunda. These are generally found 

 in very moist and rich ground, forming large imposing 

 masses of pinnate or bi-pinnate leaves. The fertile fronds 

 differ greatly from the sterile ones, and are generally 

 crowded in the middle of the plant. O. cinnamomea grows 

 three or four feet high ; the fronds are long, pinnate, arch- 

 ing ; fertile ones tall ; all erect, with masses of yellow spore- 

 cases. O. Claytoniana differs in having parts of the fertile 

 fronds sterile, and developed like the rest of the sterile 

 fronds. The royal fern (0. regalis) is more unique and 

 characteristic. The leaves are twice pinnate, the leaflets 

 being oblong and nearly entire. The spore-cases are borne 

 at the apex of regularly developed fronds. Although flow- 

 ering ferns prefer very moist positions in a wild state, they 

 will grow well in any rich and moderately moist ground. 



THE END. 



