THE BUCKLER FERNS. 235 



the more delicate of its kind, it most loves the 

 shade. Peat, rich loam, and sand, with leaf- 

 mould, should compose the soil in which it is 

 grown, whether in the garden or in the house. 

 Wherever this vigorous and beautiful fern grows, 

 it will impart a delightful and exhilarating fresh- 

 ness to its surroundings. 



2. THE BROAD BUCKLER FERN. 



Lastrea dilatata. 



ABOUT the fronds of this really handsome fern 

 there is a peculiarly crisped, curled appearance, 

 which renders it very easily recognizable. Lastrea 

 dilatata is the finest of the Lastreas. The stems of 

 the fronds are often purple hued, and they arc 

 covered with dark brown scales. At their lowest 

 part they are thicker than they are above. The 

 leafy portion of the frond is, in its general outline, 

 lance-shaped broadest at the base, and tapering 

 upwards. On each side of the mid-stem, or rachis, 

 are branches placed opposite each other, or nearly 

 so, in pairs, and becoming shorter and shorter as 



