MALE FERN AND ITS RELATIVES 49 



large part of the winter when the season is 

 mild. 



It is now recognized that the Male Fern may 

 be divided into three sub-species. These are 

 called N. filix-mas (true), N. pseudo-mas, and 

 N. propinqua. The differences are not very 

 obvious to the beginner, but it is said that 

 the first named is only partially deciduous 

 the fronds lying prostrate during the winter. 

 In the case of N. pseudo-mas, the fronds are 

 of a leathery nature, and the plant is practically 

 evergreen in sheltered positions. A well-estab- 

 lished feature of N. propinqua is that the 

 foliage completely dies away in the autumn. 



The Male Fern is abundant in all parts of 

 the United Kingdom where the conditions are 

 in any way suitable. Naturally it is of easy 

 culture in the garden. The new fronds, which 

 are very pretty when they are uncurling, put 

 in an appearance in the month of April. 



Nephrodmm Thelypteris. The specific name 

 of this plant is a compound word derived 

 from the Greek, meaning " ladyfern " ; the 

 title probably has reference to the delicate 

 growth of the species. The Fern is also called 

 Lastrea Thelypteris. The Marsh Buckler Fern. 



This is a very attractive Fern, and perhaps 

 the only British species which frequently 

 grows in water. The Marsh Buckler Fern has 

 a creeping rhizome from which arise the 

 fronds at intervals ; these are of two kinds, 

 barren and fertile. The barren fronds some- 

 times reach the length of four feet, the stipes 

 which is slender and of a pale green colour 

 being about equal to the leafy portion. The 

 fertile fronds are usually shorter. In both 

 cases the outline of the fronds is the same, 

 being lanceolate. In each case, too, the pinnae 



