184 HARDY FERNS. 



A free -growing species in almost any situation, and well 

 worthy of general cultivation. 



L. DILATATA (Enlarged -crested). This handsome Fern 

 decorates the hedgebanks of many a pleasant country lane 

 in Britain. "We have found it plentifully in shady lanes 

 about Macclesfield, in Cheshire, a part of England rich in 

 Ferns. In one particular lane we counted ten species of 

 these pleasing plants in twenty yards. Fronds, in favourable 

 spots, fully 3 feet long, dark green, oval lance-shaped, bipin- 

 nate, and graceful, bending in arch-like manner. Pinnules 

 with thorny lobes. Spore-masses medial that is, in rows 

 at equal distances from the midrib and the margin. The 

 indusium fringed. Stalk very scaly and dark-coloured in the 

 centre. Increased by dividing the slow-creeping rootstock. 

 There are a crested variety and one or two other forms of 

 this Fern. 



L. DECURRENS (Decurrent). Until recently it was seldom 

 that we had to record a Fern from that distant country China. 

 Mr. John Smith, of Kew, very correctly placed the plant in 

 this genus, under this appropriate specific name. It is some- 

 what tender, but will live in the open air if covered with leaves 

 during severe frost. Fronds a foot high, rather drooping, 

 lance-shaped and pinnate, light, beautiful green ; pinnae without 

 stalks, sinuated and decurrent, winging the stalk, which is 

 covered with chaffy scales. Spore-masses at the end of each 

 vein. Increased by dividing the tufted rhizomes. This Fern 

 forces beautifully. We have it with beautiful light green 

 fronds, 6 inches high, growing circularly round the rootstock, 

 forming a kind of hollow like a bird's nest. 



L. FILIX-MAS (Male-Fern). This Fern is the most common 

 of any, excepting the common Brake, throughout Britain 

 and all the four quarters of the globe. It will grow in 

 almost any soil and situation, but thrives best in shady 

 moist woods. "We have seen it in Ireland in such a situation, 

 5 feet high, forming quite a bush. Fronds bipinnate ; pinna? 



