14 OSMUNDA, 



Likethe Botrychium, springing up straight, 

 and not curled inwards. May. Early 

 deciduous. Not uncommon in moist pas- 

 tures and meadows. Tolerably easy of 

 cultivation. Of no comparative interest. 



OSMUNDA. 



Sori naked, on a fertile, compoundly-branched, 

 spike, surmounting a succession of barren, 

 leafy, pinnae. No Indusium. 



OSMUNDA REGALIS. (Flowering Fern.} Fig. 29. 

 From 2 to 3 feet in dry, from 8 to 10 in 

 damp, sheltered, situations. Root tufted. 

 Stem cane-like, very tough, and wiry. 

 Fronds springing up rather under one 

 another. Pinna3 far apart, and mainly 

 opposite. Pinnules simple, undivided, 

 smooth, very short-stalked, narrow, ob- 

 long, slightly tapering to their apex, with 

 more or less of a protuberance at the base ; 

 originally very tender, and of a reddish 

 colour, changing afterwards to a dull green, 

 and a trifle jagged throughout. Fertile 

 branched spike, where existing, above the 

 leafy pinnae (wliich occasionally even them- 

 selves have a sorus or two interspersed 

 here or there), and beautifully embraced 

 by them while yet undeveloped. Thefructi- 



