THE FERN PARADISE. 



1. 



THE MALE FERN. 



Las Ire a filix-mas. 



PLATE 6, FIG. 1. 



E of the most plentiful and widely- 

 distributed of the Buckler Ferns is the 

 Male Fern, also called the Common 

 Buckler Fern. The Male Fern derives its 

 designation from its extremely vigorous and 

 robust manner of growth. The texture of its 

 dark green fronds has a somewhat more rigid 

 appearance than that of mosfc Ferns. It grows in 

 woods and on hedge-banks, on hill-sides and by 

 the water's edge, almost everywhere in fact; 

 now exposed in dry situations to the full power 

 of the sun, and now hidden away in almost 

 impenetrable shade. The Male Fern reaches an 

 average height of between two and three feet; 

 but, under favourable circumstances, it sometimes 

 grows to a height of four feet. Then, indeed, it 

 is a really beautiful object : its fronds thrown up 



340 



