MALE FERN AND ITS RELATIVES 53 



reference to the fringed border of the frond. 

 It may be pointed out, however, that there 

 are not a few Ferns on which the name cristatum 

 could with more reason have been bestowed. 

 This species is also called Lastrea cristatum. 

 There are a number of forms of this Fern. 



This is a very handsome Fern, and it is a 

 pity that it is not more common. The fronds 

 are somewhat oblong in outline and have a 

 very narrow appearance. The rootstock has 

 a creeping habit and sends up tufts of fronds 

 at intervals. These are very erect, and usually 

 measure between one and three feet. The 

 stipes is shorter than the leafy portion, and 

 it bears a few brown scales. The pinnae are 

 arranged alternately on the rachis and these 

 are not again divided, although they are very 

 deeply cut. The colour of the fronds is of a 

 bright green. 



The son are borne in lines on either side of 

 the mid-vein of the lobe. These are covered at 

 first by an indusium which is notched after the 

 manner of that of the Buckler Ferns. 



The Crested Buckler Fern is very rare, 

 though it is found in a few localities chiefly in 

 the North of England. As a rule it occurs on 

 boggy heaths, and if these conditions can be 

 imitated in the garden, the Fern grows freely. 

 The fronds are soon cut down by the autumn 

 frosts, and the new growth does not appear 

 until May. 



Nephrodium spinulosum. The specific name 

 means that the plant has little spines. This 

 Fern is associated with other forms, and in some 

 quarters has not been regarded as a definite 

 species at all. Some of the varieties, or, as 

 some authorities say, actually distinct species, 

 with which it is associated have been called 



