184 MALE FERN. 



Genus. — Dbtopteeis. Caudex large, massive, and persist- 

 ent, erect, its growing extremity alwaj^s composed of a most 

 obvious crown of undeveloped fronds : first upper and first 

 lower pinnules nearly equal in magnitude, and neither notably 

 larger than the succeeding j)innules : the ultimate divisions of 

 the fronds are bluntly toothed, the teeth not terminating in a 

 spine : midvein of ultimate divisions distinct ; lateral veins 

 divided, each branch running into a tooth, but ceasing before 

 reaching its apex : clusters of capsules seated on the anterior 

 branch, half-way between its origin and apex, completely in- 

 closed by a reniform involucre, which has no exposed margin, 

 but is attached at its emargination which is directed towards 

 the base of the capsuliferous vein. 



Species. — Filix-mas. Caudex tufted : stipes short, densely 

 clothed with reddish scales : fronds semierect, lanceolate, pin- 

 nate : pinnae numerous, pinnate : pinnules serrated : involucre 

 strictly reniform, without stalked glands : clusters of capsules 

 confined to the upper part of the frond. 



Polypodium FiUx-mas, Linn. Sp. PI. 1551 ; Lightf. Fl. Scot. 



671 ; Huds. Fl. Aug. 458 ; With. Arr. 775. 

 Polipodium Filix-mas, Bolt. Fil. Brit. 44, t. 24. 

 Polystichum FUix-mas, Roth, Flor. Germ. iii. 82. 

 Aspidium Filix-mas, Swartz, Syn. Fil. 55; Sm. E. F. iv. 288, 

 E. B. 1458 et 1949, (excl. the text) ; Mack. Fl. Hib. 340; 

 Hook, and Am. 569. 

 Aspidium cristatiim, Sm. E. B. 1949 ; Mack. Fl. Hib. 340. 

 Dryopteris Filix-mas, Schott, Fil. 

 Lastrea Filix-mas, Presl, Tent. Pterid. 76 ; Newm. N. A. 19, 



F. 197; Bab. 410; Moore, 103. 

 The name of " Filix-mas," or " male fern," seems to have 

 been ascribed to the present species by universal consent. 

 Gerarde, Bay, and all our earlier authors, give it one or both 

 of these designations. 



