Osmunda.] osmuxdace^e. 



635 



Godslnll m various places, 1843. Dripping well on St. George's down, G. Kirk- 

 putnck, Esq. ! [In a ditcli on the left-hand side in Dame Anthony's wood, about 

 midway, enleiinir from Kyde, T. Reynolds, Esq., Edrs.] 



W. Med. — On Kingston moors, between Corve and Kingston, &o., 1843. 

 [iloortown bog, Brighstone, A. G. More, Esq., Edrs.] 



Order XC. OSMUNDACE^, R. Br. 



" Capsules clustered on the margin of a transformed frond, with 

 an obscure ring, reticulated and pellucid, opening by two regular 

 valves. Fronds circinate in Eestivation." — Br. Fl. 



I. Osmunda, Linn. Flowering-fern. 



"Capsides subgiobose, pedicellate, clustered, striated, half 

 2-valved. Involucre none. Veins forked." — Br. Fl. 



1. O. regalis, L. Common Osmund-royal. Floivering-fern. 

 Vect. Snake-fern. "Fronds bipinnate, pinnules oblong nearly- 

 entire the lower base somewhat auricled, the inferior ones oppo- 

 site, fertile panicle bipinnate occupying the extremity of the 

 frond."— ^r. Fl. p. 578. E. B. t. 209. 



In low bogiry or swampy meadows and on wet commons, in many places. 



E. Med. — Profusely in a large swampy wood, chiefly of sallows, close to Gods- 

 hill, on the N.E. side of the village, called, I believe, Moor wilhy-bed, 1843. In 

 great profusion on the peat-bog just beyond Munsley hill, about half a mile E. of 

 Godshill (growing in large tufts), and in various places between Godshill and 

 Budbridge, on moist fences and ditchbanks, 1843." In wet thickets above Alver- 

 ston mill and in Alverston lynch, common. In several places on and about 

 Blackpan common, 1848. Forming magnificent tufts along the ditch that skirts 

 the Wilderness on the Rookley side. On the skirts of Lake common, and the 

 adjoining parts of Sandown level, frequent. In Sandown bay, sparingly. Miss 

 Lucas and the Rev. G. E. Smith. 



W.Med. — Very plentiful and luxuriant in boggy meadows at Cridmore, &c. 

 Boggy places near Westover, Calbourne mill, &c., occasionally. In the wet 

 thicket by the stream between Newbridge and Calbourne mill, 1844. Wet 

 thicket at Woolverton, by Shorwell, 1845. Kingston moors, as between Corve 

 and Kingston, 1842. Not unfrequent on slipped land W. of Blackgang chine. 

 The moors,* Brixlon, 1842. Marsh at Freshwater gate, sparingly. 



The largest and most striking of our ferns, but of humble growth in the Isle of 

 Wight, compared with the dimensions it is said lo attain in the northern and 

 western parts of Britain, rising in some places to nearly 12 feet, but with us sel- 

 dom exceeding 4 or 5. In a young state, whilst the fionds are unrolling from 

 their circinate invernation, and for some lime after, the whole plant is of a deli- 

 cate fawn or Isabel-yellow colour, and covered with a webby substance easily 

 removed with the finger. 



* A considerable tract of willow-thicket, so called, by Brixton, a part of which 

 village, contiguous to these willow and alder swamps or moors, is known by the 

 name of Moor Town. 



