LASTllEA, 101 



Lastrea Filix-mas, Pnsl. 



The Male Fern, or Common Buckhr Fern. 

 (Plate VIII.) 



The Male Fern is so culled from its robust appearance, 

 in contrast Avith the more delicate, though similar, Lady 

 Fern, or FUix-foemina. It is one of the species which 

 grow up annually, the fronds being destroyed by the frosts 

 of winter, unless the situation be very sheltered, when the 

 old fronds often remain green until the young ones are 

 produced in spring. The fronds are produced in a tuft 

 around a central crown, and when A'igorous and perfectly 

 developed, the whole mass forms a very striking object. 

 The ornamental qualities of this Fern are, however, often 

 unheeded, on account of its commonness ; but surely it is 

 not wise, that objects imbued with that mystery — vitality, 

 and possessing intrinsic grace and beauty in no ordinary 

 degree, should be despised because a beneficent Creator 

 has scattered them about our path with a lavish hand. 



The Male Fern is a robust-growing species, having the 

 stipes of the fronds densely scaly. The fronds grow from 

 about a couple of feet to three or four feet in height, and 

 are of a broad lance-shaped figure. In division they arc 



