THE FERN PARADISE. 



Wherever this vigorous and beautiful Fern grows, 

 it will impart a delightful and exhilarating fresh- 

 ness to its surroundings. 



2. 



THE BROAD BUCKLER FERN. 



Lastrea dilatata. 

 PLATE 6, Fia. 2. 



jBOUT the fronds of this really hand- 

 some Fern there is a peculiarly crisped, 

 curled appearance, which renders it 

 very easily recognizable. Lastrea dilatata is the 

 finest of the Lastreas. The stems of the fronds 

 are often purple-hued, and they are covered with 

 dark brown scales. At their lowest part they are 

 thicker than they are above. The leafy portion 

 of the frond is, in its general outline, lance-shaped 

 broadest at the base, and tapering upwards. On 

 each side of the mid-stem, or rachis, are branches 

 placed opposite each other, or nearly so, in pairs, 



344 





