44 BRITISH FERNS. 



is unusually short, the leafy part being continued nearly 

 down to the ground, and the lower pinnae are so short that 

 the frond tapers downwards as much or perhaps more than 

 it does towards the point. The pinnae generally stand oppo- 

 site, and are narrow, tapering, and pinnatifidly divided, 

 bearing their fructification almost close to the margins of the 

 segments, and generally very abundantly. Each segment 

 or lobe has a distinct and slightly sinuous midvein, which 

 is alternately branched, the branches simple or divided, and 

 bearing the spore-cases in clusters near their extremity. 



This plant is found most luxuriant in woods, but occurs 

 profusely on mountainous heaths. It may be considered 

 common in England, Wales, and Scotland, in the latter 

 country often very profuse on the mountain-sides ; but in 

 Ireland is much more rare. 



As a garden plant, the Mountain Buckler Fern is effective 

 for shady rockwork, and when established, grows freely if 

 kept sufficiently moist. 



MALE FERN, OR COMMON BUCKLER FERN. [Plate HI.] 



This is the Lastrea Filix-mas. Other names are Aspidium 

 Filix-mas, Polypodium Filix-mas, Polystichum Fitix-mas, 

 Dryopteris Filix-mas, and Lvphodium FUix-mas. 



The Male Fern is so called from its robust appearance, in 

 contrast with the more delicate, though similar. Lady Fern, 

 or Filix-foemina. It is one of the species which grow up 

 annually, the fronds being destroyed by the frosts of winter, 

 unless the situation be very sheltered, when the old fronds 

 often remain green until the young ones are produced in 

 spring. It is a robust-growing plant, producing its fronds 

 in a tuft around a central crown, and when vigorous and 

 perfectly developed is a very striking object, though its 

 ornamental qualities are often unheeded, on account of its 

 commonness. The stipes is densely scaly. The fronds 

 average about a couple of feet in height, and are of a broad 

 lance-shaped figure. In division they are what is called 

 bipinnate, though less decidedly so than occurs in some other 

 species ; for here those pinnules only which are nearest to 

 the main rachis are separate from each other. The pinnae 

 are narrow and tapering, with a few of the lowest pinnules 

 distinct, the rest united at the base : these pinnules are of 

 an obtusely oblong form, and serrated on the margin. The 

 fructification of this plant is generally very copious, and is 

 usually confined to the lower half of the pinnules, where it 

 is crowded. 



