50 HOW TO KNOW THE FERNS 



arranged alternately on either side of the rachis 

 are cut almost to the midrib. In the case of 

 the fertile fronds the pinnae are perhaps a 

 little more contracted ; also the margins are 

 inclined to bend over in such a way as to 

 protect the son. The clusters of sporangia 

 are almost circular, and these are borne on 

 the margins of the lobes on the underside of 

 the pinnae. The clusters of the sporangia are 

 covered with small indusia which are slightly 

 notched. The indusia are soon thrown off 

 when the spore cases start to develop. 



The Marsh Buckler Fern is not uncommon, 

 and in suitably moist positions is often very 

 abundant. It is, however, said to be rare in 

 Scotland. The species will not flourish in a 

 garden unless something in the way of a bog 

 can be provided. The fronds appear in the 

 spring and are cut down by the first frost. 



Nephrodium oreopteris. The specific name 

 is connected with the Greek word ores, " a 

 mountain." In some books this fern is also 

 called N. montana and Lastrea montana. In 

 certain districts, varieties of the species are 

 common. The Mountain Buckler Fern. 



In certain respects this species bears a resem- 

 blance to the Male Fern. The fronds spring 

 from a tufted rootstock and their outline is 

 lanceolate ; they are from one to four feet in 

 length. The foliage of the Mountain Buckler 

 Fern is of a pale green colour. A distinctive 

 feature is the manner in which the frond of 

 this Fern tapers to a point at both ends ; this 

 is even more pronounced at the base than at 

 the apex. In the Male Fern any tapering 

 at the base is of a very slight description. 

 The Mountain Buckler Fern is once pinnate, 

 the pinnae being continued almost through the 



