OSMUNDA. 203 



shortly stalked, reticulate, and two-valved, the valves 

 opening vertically. 



The Osmund Royal is a widely-distributed plant, occur- 

 ring in favourable localities, that is, marshy and boggy 

 situations, throughout the United Kingdom, and, as 

 already mentioned, extremely abundant and luxuriant in 

 some parts of Ireland. It is common throughout Europe, 

 and a very similar plant occurs in the United States of 

 America. 



This plant is especially suited, in cultivation, to occupy 

 the base of rockwork abutting upon a piece of water, where 

 its roots may be placed witliin the reach of the water. 

 For the margins of ponds or lakes, or for any other damp 

 localities, it is also well adapted ; and in such situations 

 only does it acquire anything like its natural vigour. 

 It should have peat earth for its roots. The best way to 

 establish it is, to procure strong vigorous patches from 

 localities where it abounds, and these, if removed carefully 

 any time before growth commences — or even after it is 

 considerably advanced — will succeed perfectly. This 

 course is far more satisfactory than to make use of weaker 

 plants in the hope of their eventually gaining vigour to 

 produce a bold and characteristic effect. 



