ATHYKIUM, 123 



growth of tlie spore-cases has disrupted its anterior margin, 

 and eventually becoming quite turned back. 



Athyrium Filix-fcemina, FbOtJi. 



The Lady Fern. (Plate XL) 



The Lady Fern claims precedence over every other 

 British species, on account of the exquisite grace of its 

 habit of growth, the elegance of its form, and the delicacy 

 of its hue. This is more or less true of every one of the 

 various conditions in which it occurs. The habit of the 

 plant is tufted, the caudex of the larger varieties often 

 with age acquiring some height, and elevating the circlet 

 of fronds on a low, rude pedestal ; this stem, however, 

 never acquires more than a few inches in length, hi 

 winter, the summit of this stem, whether a tuft seated 

 close to the ground, or a few inches elevated, is occupied 

 by a mass of incipient fronds, each rolled up separately, 

 and nestling in a bed of chaffy scales. In May or June, 

 these fronds become developed, a score or upwards being 

 usually produced, from large vigorous stems. They reach 

 maturity early in the summer, during which time a few 

 additional fronds are generally developed from the centre ; 

 and tlie whole of them are, under ordinary circumstances, 



