BRACKEN FERN AND TWO SPECIES 45 



have their margins deeply cut. In very large 

 specimens the fronds may be divided three 

 times. The barren fronds grow on the outside 

 of the tuft. The fertile frond is somewhat taller 

 than the barren leaf, to which it bears a resem- 

 blance in its general form. The pinnae, of course, 

 are very much restricted. At first the sori are 

 rounded, but as they mature they spread so as 

 to form almost unbroken lines round the margins 

 of the pinnules. The sori have indusia, but this 

 is hidden by the margin of the pinnules, which 

 are recurved. 



There are few more local species than the 

 Parsley Fern. The plant loves to grow amongst 

 rocks which are often scattered about on the 

 slopes of mountains. Its two chief strongholds 

 seem to be the Snowdon district in Wales and 

 the mountainous parts of Cumberland. In some 

 localities of these districts the plant grows in 

 the greatest abundance, happily often out of 

 the reach of the tourist. The Parsley Fern has 

 also been recorded in the West of England, and 

 it occurs in Scotland. It is easily cultivated, 

 if the fact is borne in mind that it is a rock 

 species needing good drainage. It loses its 

 bright, pretty colouring in a sunny position. 

 The Parsley Fern sends up its green fronds in 

 the month of May, and the fertile leaves follow 

 soon after. The foliage disappears in the 

 winter. 



