128 HISTORY or British ferxs. 



branched, crisped, and tasselled. These, ^vhich are, strictly 

 speaking, monstrosities, have retained their characteristics 

 for many years in cultivation, and are very elegant plants, 

 and great favourites in the garden. 



The common Lady Fern is abundant in warm moist 

 woods and hedgerows throughout Great Biitain, and espe- 

 cially so in Ireland ; it also occurs throughout Europe, 

 and in Asia, Africa, and North America. The monstrous 

 varieties were first found in Ireland ; though the parsley- 

 like one has also been found in Scotland, and in the Lake 

 district ; and some fine forms, in the way of multijidum, 

 have been gathered in Guernsey. 



None of our native Ferns arc more easily cultivated 

 than this. A rather boggy soil suits it best, and it loves 

 shade and moisture ; indeed, tliese latter conditions being 

 fulfilled, soil becomes a secondary consideration. The 

 moisture, however, though abundant, should not be stag- 

 nant. Tlie Lady Fern is occasionally seen planted in the 

 mouth of a cave or recess, by water, among shady rockwork ; 

 nothing is so lovely as a finely-grown plant of it so situated. 

 As a pot plant it requires plenty of room, both for its roots 

 and fronds, and must be liberally watered. 



By the older botanists this plant was called P ohjpodimn 



