LASTBEA. 185 



narrow and lance-shaped, deeply cut at the edges. Spore- 

 masses medial. 



L. FILIX-MAS CEISTATA (Crested). This is a most beautiful 

 variety, with the ends of the frond and each of the pinnse 

 most beautifully tasselled. It was originally found wild 

 in Cornwall, and has been kept by division ever since in 

 cultivation. It also comes true from spores. We consider 

 it one of the most beautiful and elegant of all hardy Ferns 

 in cultivation. It makes a splendid pot-plant. A sub-variety, 

 called cristata angustata (Narrow-crested), was raised by Mr. 

 E. Sim, the celebrated Fern-grower at Foot's Cray, a few 

 years since, and it is as well worth growing as its predecessor. 

 Its fronds are very narrow, not more than 2 inches in width, 

 and beautifully crested. L. Filix-mas paleacea has a yellowish 

 tinge on the fronds, and scales with which the stalks are 

 covered, are of a bright yellowish-brown. The form called 

 pumila is, as the name indicates, a very pretty dwarf plant ; 

 the fronds not more than 6 inches high. The plant called 

 Schofieldii proves, says Mr. Sim, to be "an elegant little 

 variety of Z. Filix-mas, and not as was previously supposed, 

 of L. spinulosa." Its fronds are only 2, or at most 3 inches 

 long, with the points usually once or twice-forked. 



L. GOLDIANA (Goldie's). This handsome scarce Fern is a 

 North-American one. Fronds 2 feet high, broadly lance- 

 shaped, half of the frond twice-cut, the other half of the frond 

 pinnate ; pinnse broad lance-shaped, deeply-cut, and serrate at 

 the margin. Stalks scaly. This is a very handsome, noble 

 Fern, but slow to increase. A young plant is sometimes 

 produced on one side of the rootstock, and as soon as it 

 has roots belonging to it, it may be carefully divided-off, 

 potted, and kept in a cold frame for a few weeks until it is 

 established. 



L. MAEGINALIS (Margined), Fig. 76. This is also a North- 

 American hardy Fern, and is very handsome, growing 2 feet 

 high. Fronds bipinnate throughout, lance -shaped, and a 



