PTERIS. 165 



eventually become split across here and there, at points 

 opposite some of the venules. 



The Hard Fern is a rather common plant, occurring in 

 heathy and stony places, and preferring localities which 

 are rather damp than otherwise. It is found in various 

 parts of Europe. In cultivation, it is a very suitable plant 

 for damp shady rockwork, and in such situations, planted 

 in peaty soil, it grows freely, and without requiring any 

 special attention. 



The principal of its synonyms are — Lomaria Spicant, 

 Blechnum horeale, Asplenium Spicant, Onoclea Spicant, 

 Acrostic/mm Spicant, Struthiopteris Spicant, Osmunda 

 Spicant, and Osmunda borealis. 



Genus XI. PTERIS, or BRACKEW. 



The Pteris, or Bracken, is the most common of all our 

 Ferns. It is that which occurs almost everywhere in 

 woods and in sandy wastes, often appropriating to itself the 

 whole surface of the ground, but seeming to possess the 

 peculiarity of avoiding chalky soil. It is very variable in 

 its appearance, owing to differences in its size and develop- 



