40 PARSLEY FEEN. 



divisions of the fertile fronds are of a somewhat oval form, 

 and stand on distinct petioles, as shown at figure a, (page 

 39) ; their margins are inflexed or convolute, attenuated and 

 bleached ; figure fc is a magnified representation of one of these 

 little leaves, with its margins rolled over as in a state of nature. 

 The midvein is flexuous, and bears eight or ten lateral veins, 

 placed alternately ; these are divided shortlj' after leaving the 

 midvein, and each branch bears a nearly circular cluster of cap- 

 sules at or very near its extremity, which does not quite reach 

 the margin. The ultimate divisions are frequently auricled 

 near the footstalk on one side only ; this is shown in figures c, 

 d, and e : c represents the margins as flattened, and the clus- 

 ters of capsules consequently uncovered ; at d the margin is 

 flattened on one side only ; at e both margins are shown as 

 flattened, the capsules removed, and only the points of theii' 

 attachments indicated, together with the veins on which they 

 are placed. The character of the barren frond is very various : 

 its appearance is generally crowded and crisped, like the leaves 

 of parslej^ but its ultimate divisions are much tlie same with 

 those of the fertile frond. Three forms of the barren frond are 

 represented at/, g, and h; all these are of common occurrence: 

 in /, the iiltimate divisions are formed like little oak leaves ; 

 the venation of one of these magnified is shown at figure t .- g 

 represents a frond in which the ultimate divisions are nearly 

 linear : /i is a form of less common occurrence, yet rarely absent 

 where the plant is growing in considerable quantities. 



There can scarcely be a more ornamental or more hardy fern 

 than this when cultivated on rock-work : its beautifully green 

 colour forms a most cheerful and j)leasing contrast to the dark 

 masses of basaltic or granitic rock amongst which it is placed 

 by Nature, and should be placed by man. The soil in which 

 it succeeds best is the peaty bog-earth known so well by nur- 

 sery-men as the proper soil for Rhododendrons, Kalmias, and 

 heaths : it should be sparingly supplied, and whether the fern 

 be cultivated in pots or in the open ground, a large proportion 

 of small pieces of stone should always be used. 



