8 OSMUNDA REGALIS. 



Found throughout Europe; in Asia — in the Himalaya and 

 Mingrelia; in Africa — in Algiers, Azores, and the Cape of 

 Good Hope; and in North and South America. 



Wherever this Fern grows in abundance the effect is such 

 as to make it "king" of the locality. Ten years ago this 

 Fern grew in a field belonging to Mr. C. Allcoek, at Bui well; 

 draining the land, however, has completely destroyed this 

 Nottinghamshire locality of Osmunda Regalis. 



Easily cultivated, preferring shade, and a wet peaty soil. 



Fronds coriaceous or herbaceous, pinnate or bipinnate, and 

 occasionally tripinnate; the pinnae or segments frequently 

 articulated. Fertile segments contracted and mostly rachiform; 

 pinnules oblong and dilated; base auricled. 



E-hizoma caudiciform or tufted. 



Caudex perennial, stout, and sometimes two feet in height. 



Stipes half the length of the whole frond, succulent, and, 

 as with the rachis, tinged with red. Scaly when young, pale 

 green and smooth when fully grown. 



Pinnules opposite or alternate, about two inches in length. 



Veins branched. 



Fructification mostly occupying the whole of the upper 

 portion of the frond, yet occasionally only a portion, one half 

 of the pinnule being fertile and contracted, and the other half 

 sterile. 



Length of frond from two to twelve feet, according to 

 situation. 



For plants my thanks are due to Miss Millett, of Penzance; 

 Mr. Wilkinson, of Totteridge Park; and Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, 

 of Manchester. 



It can be procured at any Nursery. 



The illustration is from a plant in my own collection. 



