32 LADY FERN. 



complete without the beautiful Lady Fern. It hears 

 civilization admirably. In rock-work it should 

 occupy a low, boggy situation, as it loves shade and 

 moisture, planted among turfy soil, kept well mois- 

 tened and drained. Placed at the edge of a cavern 

 or pool of water, no object can be more lovely, and 

 nothing will grow so freely. A modern writer says 



" Supreme in her beauty, beside the full urn, 

 In the shade of the rock stands the tall Lady Fern." 



VARIETIES. 



Among the varieties of the Lady Fern we would 

 mention as most persistent : 



ASPLENIUM FILIX FCEMINA LATiFOLiUM, known by its 

 more hardy appearance broader pinnules, which are 

 set more closely together, lobed and deeply cut at the 

 edges, almost to the mid-rib. 



ASPLENIUM FILIX FCEMINA CONVEXUM is also very 

 distinct ; it has more slender fronds than any form 

 of the Lady Fern, and its pinnae and pinnules are 

 smaller. 



ASPLENIUM FILIX FCEMINA MOLLE has a short stalk, 

 with broad and short scales. The frond rarely exceeds 

 a foot in height, and is erect and of a bright green 

 colour. Its outline is egg-shaped and lanceolate. 



