PEENS OP GREAT BRITAIN. 123 



one, while the whole is closely wrapped in scale-like 

 sheaths. The plant, when in June it has become fuHy 

 developed, is from three to eight, or more rarely ten 

 inches in height, of a dull yellowish green colour, the 

 lower part or stipes being succulent and hollow, and 

 haying at its base the remains of the scale-like sheath 

 which once invested it. About half-way up it divides 

 into two branches. The leafy branch is pinnate, and 

 from three to eight pairs of crescent or fan-shaped 

 leaflets are closely crowded upon it, their outer margin 

 indented with slightly-rounded notches. The veins 

 radiate towards the margin, one vein extending into each 

 notch. The fertile branch of the fern is erect and 

 branched, the branches being generally about the same 

 in number as the pinnules on the leafy branch ; these 

 side pinnae are again divided into lesser branches, on 

 which the fructification grows. This forms a spike dis- 

 tiQct from the leafy expansion, and is not, as in Osmmda, 

 a contraction of the green part, nor are the clusters 

 or capsules crowded, Uke those of that fern, into a mass ; 

 but though nearly touching each other, they are separate, 

 and arranged in single rows along the branches of the 

 spike. The capsules are globular in form, without 

 stalks, smooth, composed of two concave valves, and are 

 at first yellow and afterwards brown. The fern varies 

 in different situations, and in one form the pinnae are 

 pinnatifid; but it is at all times so distinct from any 

 other British fern that it is never difficult of recognition. 

 It is known throughout Europe and Northern Asia. 

 It is sometimes called Osmmda Lundria, or Lundria 

 minor. 



