PTEU1S SCOLOPENDE1U3I. 197 



PTEEIS. 



Our readers will have noticed many names of Ferns ending 

 with pteris, such, for instance, as Callipteris, Ceratopteris, 

 Cystopteris, and others. The original name Pteris is derived 

 from pteron, a wing, because the fronds have the appearance of 

 the wings of a bird. The compound names describe different 

 sorts of wiogs, as horn- winged, ostrich- winged, &c. The genus 

 Pteris, as originally formed, contained a great number of 

 species. It is now restricted to such only as have forked 

 veins, with the spore-masses on their points close to the edge 

 of the leaflet. The only hardy species left in the genus is 



PTEEIS AQUILINA (Eagle-like Fern). This is the very 

 common Bracken or Brake that so beautifully clothes many 

 of our wild wastes, affording shelter to all kinds of game. The 

 question has been asked, Can this Bracken be transplanted? 

 We say, Yes, very easily, and certainly. Take up, in early 

 spring, the rhizomes or creeping rootstocks in quantity ; dig 

 the ground well, draw drills, and lay the long roots in thick, 

 covering them 2 inches deep, and they will certainly grow the 

 following summer, and soon form a thick plantation ; but the 

 ground must be dry, or if not, well drained to make it so, 

 because this Fern will not thrive in wet places. There is a 

 variegated form of this plant, which is beautifully dotted with 

 clear white ; it is at present very rare. There is also another 

 with a tendency to become tufted at the points. 



SCOLOPENDEIUM. 



A genus of handsome Ferns represented by only one 

 species, but a very large number of varieties. They may 

 be distinguished easily by their spore-masses slanting upwards 

 and being placed between the veins at some distance from the 

 midribs, where they are sometimes in one line and sometimes 

 in two. The spore-mass-cover (indusium), also is special, some- 



