Ferns of the Bogs and Marshes 



no indusia, and that the spore cases which split into two 

 valves to release the spores are without the elastic ring 

 referred to in the second chapter. 



The leafstalks are very distinct, and nearly equal in 

 length to the leafy part of the frond. At first they are 

 reddish-brown, but, as they grow older, this colouring 

 matter disappears. The rootstock is large, very thick, 

 frequently trun-klike, and covered by a dense coating 

 of dark-coloured fibres. 



According to the old herbalists, the Royal Fern 

 possessed very wonderful healing powers. Preparations 

 made from it were prescribed, not only for external 

 complaints, but also for more deeply-seated internal 

 troubles. In fact, it was believed to possess in itself all 

 the curative virtues of the whole of the fern order of 

 plants. 



Popularly, this fern is best known as the Flowering 

 Fern, but we know better than to apply such a term to 

 a fern. Those who first called it the Flowering Fern 

 must have been misled by the dense masses of sori at 

 the top of the fronds, which were mistaken for small 

 flowers. Botanically, this fern is Osmunda regalis. 

 Many different explanations have been given of the 

 word Osmunda. Some believe that it is derived from 

 Osmunder, one of the names of the old god, Thor, 

 while others maintain that the derivation is os y "a 

 house," and mund, <c peace." A more fanciful explana- 

 tion is that the fern is called Osmunda after Osmund, 

 a ferryman, who saved his beautiful daughter from 

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