THE LADY FERN. 139 



above the surface on which this fern is found 

 to grow ; sometimes raised to a height of several 

 inches. From the under side of the root-stock 

 grow the thin, matted, fibrous roots, which pene- 

 trate deeply into the soil, and eagerly drink in 

 the abundant moisture which is essential to its 

 existence. From the crown of the root-stock 

 start up in thick tufts a mass of delightful 

 green brittle and herbaceous fronds, supported 

 each on its stem one-third, and sometimes one- 

 fourth, of its entire length ; sometimes bright 

 green in colour, at other times a delightful 

 purple. The form of the frond is lance- 

 shaped, tapering from its base to its centre, 

 and from its centre to its point. On each 

 side of its central rib, or rachis, are arranged 

 in alternation a line of leaflets tapered out- 

 wards in the same way that the frond is 

 tapered upwards. On each side of the mid- 

 rib of each leaflet is a row of lobes, beau- 

 tifully serrated, or saw-edged, and bluntish 

 towards the point. In the larger leaflets the 

 lobes are distinct and separate one from the 



