FERNS. 



_ inches in height, and is indigenous to the Channel Islands. It 

 may be gfrown out of doors in fine loamy soil. 



3. CoMMOiT Addeb,'§ ToNGrrB {Ophvoglosmmi Vulgatum). Pl. 4. 



A fern which exactly resembles the preceding in general 

 structure. It is, however, larger, being six or eight inches in 

 height. It is found in aU parts of England, and occasionally 

 m Scotland and Ireland. It grows in. meadows and moisi 

 situations. It may be readily reared in loamy soil, but requires 

 shade and frequent watering. 



IX. OSMUNDACB^. 



1. BoYAii Febn {Osmmtda BegaUs). Pl. 4. 



The largest of the British ferns, and the most .magnificent in 

 appearance. Its height, when growing in a wild state, varies 

 from three to seven, or even eight feet. The fronds are bi- 

 pinnate, the pinnse are spear-shaped, and the pinnute somewhat 

 ovate — broad at the base, and terminating in a blunted point, 

 The stems of the pinnules, at the upper part of the frond, are 

 covered with thick clusters of sori, which resemble spikes of 

 brown flowers. It is found in marshy land in Lancashire, 

 Cornwall, and many parts of England, and at KiUamey, and 

 in the south of Ireland. It may be grown in peaty soil, in 

 any shady and moist situation ; but it must be well watered. 

 It is sometimes called the Flowering Fern. 



X. POLTPODIACEiE. 



1. Pabslbt Pebn {AUosorus Griapits). Pl. 4. 



A little fern, with bright green fronds resembling the leaves 

 of parsley. The fronds vary in height from six to ten inches ; 

 the fertile and barren ones differing in shape. The former are 

 tri-pinnate, and the leaflets are oblong, with the edges bent 

 back over the indusia, which are placed on the margin of the 

 under part of the leaflet. The latter are also tri-pinnate in 

 parts, and the leaflets are deeply lobed and indented. It grows 

 among rocks, and is generally found in stony and mountain- 

 ous districts in the north of England, and in parts of Wales, 

 Scotland, and Ireland. It is sometiines grown in a case, but 

 requires good drainage ; when grown out of doors, peat, stones, 

 and old mortar should be mixed with the soil in which it is 

 placed. It is. well suited for the rockery. It is also called 

 Bock Brake and Mountain Parsley, and known by the botanical 



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