THE HARD FERN. 71 



are divided rather more deeply than in the former. The 

 upper surface is a deep opaque green ; and the under surlace 

 is densely covered with rust-coloiired brown closely-packed 

 overlapping scales, which, being just seen projecting from 

 the margin, and still more fully in the exposed under surface 

 of the young partially-developed fronds, prettily contrast with 

 the deep green of the upper surface. The pinnae or lobes are 

 of an ovate form, and either entire or lobed on the margin. 

 The opacity of the fronds renders the venation indistinct, 

 and indeed it is only to be made out by examining young 

 fronds, removing the covering of scales, and the outer skin 

 of the frond itself. It is then seen, that from the lower 

 corner the principal vein enters, taking a sinuous course to- 

 wards the upper side of the apex ; it branches alternately, 

 the venules being again branched, and the veinlets becoming 

 joined more or less near the margin. The sori are borne 

 along the sides of the venules in a very irregular manner, 

 the majority of them being directed towards the apex of the 



Einna. At first, the son are quite concealed by the scales, 

 ut the spore-cases ultimately protrude between them. 

 The Ceterach is a mural species, occurring on the walls of 

 old buildings and ruins, and in rocky places. It is nretty 



generally distributed in the United Kingdom, but is consi- 

 ered somewhat rare in Scotland. It occurs also throughout 

 central and southern Europe, and in the north of Africa. 



Like other wall Ferns, this is often difficult to establish 

 in cultivation when first transplanted ; but when once this is 

 overcome its cultivation is not difficult. It is best grown in 

 a cold frame, potted rather high, among loam mixed with a 

 large proportion of brick-rubbish, and not over-watered. 



CHAPTER XHL 



THE IIABD FERN. 



THIS plant is referred by some authors to Bleclmum, and by 

 others to Lomaria. We think it most nearly related to the 

 former, although in the contraction of its fertile fronds it 

 undoubtedly resembles the latter. Among the British Ferns 

 the only species of this genus is known by having its fructi- 

 fication extended longitudinally on the pinnae, so as to form 

 a linear or continuous sprus on each side the midvein, and 

 about midway between it and the margin. No other British 



