210 



LADY FERN. 



harmonise : then if we restrict the genus to the typical or fon- 

 tanum group, we cannot, by Roth's definition, separate them 

 from the normal Aspleniums ; and we have no right whatever 

 to restrict the genus to the Filix-femina or abnormal group, 

 because that would be a palpable perversion of the author's 

 meaning and intention. 



AU the forms hereafter mentioned as found in Britain, occur 

 in every country of Europe ; and others, verj' similar, have 

 been found in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the United States of 

 America. From the last-mentioned country, my kind corre- 

 spondents have sent me three supposed species ; but whether 

 these are really distinct from ours, and from each other, I can 

 scarcely venture to jironounce, more especially as the question 

 of species and varieties among our own forms of this fern, is at 

 present undecided. 



In Britain, the lady fern seems to claim precedence in beauty 

 over every other species. The exquisite grace of its habit, the 

 elegance of its cutting, and the brilliant delicacy of its colom", 

 combine to render it an object of general admiration. It may, 

 perhaps, require some knowledge of kindred species, fully to 

 understand the peculiarities which unite in giving to this fern 

 its superiority over the rest ; but dull indeed must be the per- 

 ception, and cold the heart, that fails to appreciate its excessive 

 loveliness. It is distributed more or less abundantly through- 

 out the British Islands, its favourite resort being moist and 

 warm woods ; but it does not shrink from the exposure of open 

 moors and naked hill- sides, and, if sheltered by masses of 

 weather-worn rock, its delicate fronds may often be found deve- 

 loping their fragile pinnules amid the inclement blasts of our 

 Scottish Highlands. In Ireland it is more abundant, although 

 less beautiful, than in England : it there abounds on all the 

 bogs, and is used as packing for fish and fruit, as we see the 

 common brakes employed in this country. On landing at 

 Warren Point, near Newry, I was rather suqjrised to see what 

 quantities of it were employed in packing the herrings there 

 exhibited for sale. 



