^v 



THE LASTREAS 



147 



Fig. 156. L. dil. Stansfieldii (pinnse). 



Stansfieldii (Fig. 156). — A small - growing form found in 

 Cheshire by Mr. J. Lord ; pinnules thick, leathery, and crispy. 



#Wte^ 4>£$ 



mMmm 



Fig. 157. Z. aW. sitccisa (frond tip). 



Succisa (Fig. 157). — A markedly truncate form found by Mr. 

 E. J. Lowe in Derbyshire ; somewhat densely made ; every frond 

 terminates abruptly with a few bunched and truncate pinnae. 



Lastrea Filix-jias (The Male Fern) 

 (Plate XVII) 



This is undoubtedly one of the most familiar Ferns with which 

 we have to deal, since not only is it very common in many localities 

 by the roadside and generally wherever Ferns abound, but it is 

 one of those few species which are seen in thousands of suburban 

 gardens, monopolizing space which would certainly be better 

 devoted to varietal forms of this and other hardy species. It is a 

 robust plant, and may practically be grown in any soil, so that 

 cultural directions are hardly necessary, though we need hardly say 

 that it and its varieties profit by specially favourable conditions. 

 The fronds (Fig. 158) rise erectly in circles from a stout rootstock, 

 shuttlecock fashion ; they are twice divided, and of a lightish green. 

 Before, however, we pronounce it to be deciduous or evergreen, 

 we must advert to the fact mentioned elsewhere that it has, and]we 



