IEBN9. 



the fronds are rough. The pinnae are lobed ; those which 

 grow from the central part of the main stem are longer than 

 the rest. The sori are large and clustered on either side of 

 the veins of the slightly indented lobes of the pinnae. The 

 'mdusia are kidney-shaped, and very prominent. It thrives in 

 rich sandy loam, and is the only fern used at present in medi- 

 cine ; it is sometimes used in brewing as a substitute for hops. 

 Its other botanical names are Lastrea F. M. and Dryopteria 

 F. M. Its varieties are termed A. F. M. Ahlreviata, Indsa, 

 Paleacea, and Pwmila ; the first and fourth are smaller than the 

 type o{ i^ie species ; the second larger, with bi-pinnate fronds ; 

 the third has fronds of a golden hute, with purplish veins 



6. HoLLT Fekn {AfipiMum LoncMUa). Pi. 1. 

 A dark green fern, with stiff stems to the pinnate fronds, 

 which are rough and prickly in appearance, having spines 

 round the edges of the leaflets, which have a projection at the 

 base on one side of the midrib, that gives them a crescent- 

 shaped form. The fronds vary from six to eighteen inches in 

 length, and grow from the rhizome in a tuft. The sori are 

 circular, and on either side of the midrib of the leaflets at the 

 upper end of the frond. It is found in rocky districts in Wales, 

 Ireland, and Scotland, but it is a matter of great difficulty to 

 grow it in ferneries. This fern is sometimes called the Kough 

 Alpine Shield Fern, and by the botanical names Polypodmm 

 LonehiUs, and Poh/stichv/m LoncMtis. 



6. MotTNTAiN Shield Fekn {AspiMwm, Oreopteris). Pl. 6. 



A fern very like the Male Shield Fern in form, with fronds 

 shaped Kked the head of a spear. The pinnas are pinnatifid, 

 and grow from points nearly opposite to each other, on oppo- 

 site sides of the rachis. The sori are circular, and ranged 

 round the edges of the lobes of the pinnaa. The fronds attain 

 the average length of two or three feet. It is difficult to rear 

 this fern, it soon withers out of doors, and is not suitable for a 

 case, as it requires constant watering. It is found in parts of 

 the south and south-east of England, and in Scotland. Its 

 botanical synonyms are Lastrea Oreopteris and Poh/po3vwm 

 Fragrcms, and it is sometimes called the Heath Shield Fern. 



7. EiGiD Shield Feen (Aspidmm Bigidum). Pi. 6. 



An upright fern, with bi-pinnate fronds about a foot in 

 length : the pinnae gradually decrease in length from the base to 



