LASTREA. 129 



has the pinnules changed into small rounded lobes, and the 

 fructification reduced to a single row of spore-cases on each 

 side the rib of the pinnae. This has been called Lastrea 

 Filix-mas abbreviata. 



A third curious form of the Male Fern has the points of 

 the frond and of the pinnae dilated into a fringe or tassel a 

 very curious transformation, which, it is curious to remark, 

 occurs only, as far as we know, among British species, in 

 this the Male Fern and in the Lady Fern. 



The Male Fern is found abundantly all over the country 

 in shady situations : the larger variety is met with here and 

 there in similar places ; the other varieties are rare. It is 

 one of the most easy to cultivate, and is very suitable for 

 cool, shady rock-work, or for shady walks in woody scenery. 



Like its allies, this species has been called Pofypodium, or 

 Aspidium, or Polystichum, besides Lastrea, but the specific 

 name Filix-mas seems to have been always preserved to it. 



LASTEEA FCENISECII, Watson. The Triangular Prickly- 

 toothed, or Eecurved Fern. 



This is a moderate- sized and very elegant plant, of droop- 

 ing habit, and possessing a crisped appearance from the 

 recurving of the margins of all the segments of fronds. It 

 grows from one to two feet high, and from its tufted stem 



K 



