BROAD BUCKLER-FERX 73 



Broad Buckler-fern (Nephrodium dilatatum). 



Though by some writers regarded as a species quite distinct 

 from N. spinulosum, we believe that those botanists are right 

 who hold that the Broad Buckler is at most a sub-species of 

 the last-named. Of some specimens it is easy to say at once : 

 this is dilatattun, or spinulosum, as the case may be ; but with 

 respect to many other examples one requires to make a careful 

 and critical examination before making a statement, and then 

 probably only to the effect that it may be as correctly set down 

 as either one or the other. 



Roughly speaking, N. dilatatum may be described as N. 

 spinulosum with fronds more highly developed. Its rootstock 

 does not creep, and is more erect. The scales on crown and 

 stipes are more abundant, narrower, have a dark brown centre 

 and pale margins, instead of being uniformly pale as in N. 

 spinulosum. The frond is darker and brighter in colour, much 

 broader and more triangular. There are glands on the under- 

 side of the pinnae, and the indusium is fringed with glands. 

 This latter character must be sought before the spores are ripe, 

 as the indusium falls off early. 



The majority of specimens have fronds a foot or two feet 

 long, but vigorous old plants may be found with fronds up to 

 five feet in length. The general proportion of width at base 

 is about one half of the length. The pinnae are closer together, 

 often slightly overlapping, and the pinnules are more deeply 

 cut. The lowest pinnae are obliquely triangular, and the 

 pinnules on the lower side of the midrib longer than those on 

 the upper side. (Plates i, 74.) 



The Broad Buckler-fern is more plentiful than the Prickly 

 Buckler-fern, and will be found in most moist woods, and 

 beside ponds, streams, and waterfalls wherever it can get a 

 good depth of leaf-mould. It ascends to 3700 feet in the 



