LASTRIIA, 105 



The Mule Fern is found abundantly all over the country 

 in shady situations ; the larger varieties are met Avith here 

 and there in similar places ; the other varieties are rare. 

 It is one of the most easy of all Ferns to cultivate, and is 

 very suitable for cool, shady rockwork, or for shady Avalks 

 in woody scenery. 



Like its allies, this species has been at different times 

 called Pohjfodium, or Aspidlmn, or PohistlcJmm ; but 

 the specific name FiUx-mas seems to have been generally 

 preserved to it. 



Lastrea rigida, Pvcsl. 



The Bhild Buclder Fern. (Plate IX. iig. 1.) 



This very elegant Fern is of moderate size, groAving 

 upright or spreading, and from one to two feet in height. 

 It is one of tlie most elegantly divided of the Lastrea?, 

 the pinnules being all doubly and very evenly toothed. 

 The fronds issue from the crown of a comparatively thick 

 stem, and are annual in their duration, greeting the 

 approach of summer with the fresh green of youtli, and 

 shrinking dead and shrivelled from the icy touch of winter. 

 The fronds are narrowly triangular, rarely somewhat lan- 

 ceolate ; and they are bipinnate, with narrow tapering 



