THE MARSH FERN TRIBE. 



The first fronds are always sterile. They 

 are thin, lanceolate, broad at base and 

 once pinnate, with the pinnae set at right 

 angles to the rachis. The latter are ob- 

 long-linear, pointed and cut nearly to the 

 midrib into many close, short, rather SORI . 



rounded lobes. Bipinnate fronds with toothed or pinnat- 

 ifid pinnules also occur. 



It is not until about the middle of July or later that the 

 fertile fronds are produced. They are like the sterile in 

 form, except that the pinnules are somewhat narrower 

 and appear as if pointed, owing to the margins being re- 

 flexed over the fruit when it is young. The sori are 

 borne in a double row on each pinnule and are well on 

 the way toward maturity when the frond unfurls. The 

 indusium is kidney-shaped and soon withers. The spor- 

 angia then spread out and often completely cover the 

 under surface of the pinnule. Fronds midway between 

 fertile and sterile also occur. In these the pinnules are 

 flat and the less abundant sori are confined to the upper 

 part of the frond and the tips of the lower pinnae. 



In deep shade, the marsh fern grows tall and slender 

 but fruits sparingly; in sun, the fruit is abundant but the 

 fronds lose much of their beauty, becoming thicker, yel- 

 lowish and with pinnae strangely contorted. Both sorts 

 of fronds are borne on long stipes, in some cases twice 

 as long as the blades. The plant is commonly not fra- 

 grant, though specimens have been reported that emitted 

 an agreeable odour when drying. After the first sharp 

 frost the fronds in exposed places wither, but in sheltered 

 situations they remain green for a month or more longer. 



This species is frequently known as the lady fern in- 

 deed, its specific name signifies as much but the real lady 



