34 FERNS 



Some forms of this most variable of all known 

 ferns are very beautiful, but as a whole they 

 do not merit the praise hitherto given. 



The Christmas fern (Polystichum acros- 

 tichoides) is too well known to need comment. 

 Its mission is to cheer the winter months 

 and enhance the beauty of other ferns by 

 contrast. 



Of the lesser growths which fill out the 

 mixed border, a limited quantity of the blad- 

 der fern {Filix bulhiferd) gives a light and 

 dainty touch. The oak fern {Phegopteris 

 Dryopteris) develops early and is the greenest 

 of all green things in Nature. The other two 

 members of the genus are late in appearing, 

 and consequently are valuable for freshening 

 up the border when other species have passed 

 their prime. The broad beech fern (Phegop- 

 teris hexagonoptera) is very beautiful but often 

 grows too tall to be considered a footnote. 

 Phegopteris polypodioides, sometimes called 

 the long beech fern, is more common. It has 

 good colour, and a distinct individuality of 

 pose which attracts attention; the leaf spread 



