THE REMOTE BUCKLER FERN 45 



Common Male Fern, but Moore claims for it the rank 

 of a species. In general character and aspect it much 

 resembles those vigorous examples of L. cristata var. 

 spinulosa which are sometimes met with, having the 

 same narrow elongate erect fronds; but in its struc- 

 tural characteristics it differs materially from that 

 plant and agrees much more closely with L. Filioc-mas. 

 From L. Filix-mas, the incised pyramidal-pirmuled 

 forms of which most nearly resemble it, it must however 

 be separated on account of the farther divisions of its 

 fronds, which are tripinnate. In Filix-mas also the 

 serratures of the lobes are often acute, while in remota 

 they often terminate abruptly in a hard short point, 

 being what is called mucronate, still oftener mucronulate, 

 thus forming the intermediate step between Filix-mas 

 and L. dilatata, which is mucronate and spinulose. 

 Mr. Clowes, who has carefully cultivated and observed 

 it, considers it to be a hybrid between L. Filix-mas 

 and L. cristata and spinulosa. 



The caudex of L, remota is stout and ascending, 

 with a thick scaly crown ; its stipes, a foot long, is 

 stout, and clothed with numerous scales of various 

 size, some ovate-acuminate, three-quarters of an inch 

 long, others smaller, lanceolate or linear terminating in 

 a lengthened hair-like point, the margin slightly wavy 

 or toothed, along with these larger scales numerous 

 others occurring, minute, ovate caudate, and peltately 

 attached ; the rachis, both primary and secondary, is 

 furnished with scales which become smaller upwards. 



The fronds, from three to four feet high, are erect, 

 narrow oblong lanceolate, sub-tripinnate, and smooth ; 



