WILD FERNS 227 



opinion comes at all near the Lady Fern in beauty is 

 the Dilated Shield Fern (Lastrea dilatata), slightly stift'er 

 in form and perhaps all the better for it, for the 

 only defect of the lovely Filix-fcemina is a slightly 

 succulent weakness of aspect. The broad shoulder and 

 equality of plane in the whole frond are distinctive 

 features in this handsome Shield Fern, and the tooth- 

 ing at the edge has a look of well-finished design 

 that is vigorous without being over-hard. The fronds 

 are not many, but are well displayed, and the whole 

 plant conspicuously handsome. 



Here and there throughout the country are large 

 old woods of Scotch Fir. Two of these adjoin boggy 

 heathland, and on the shady sides of ditches and 

 depressions on their outskirts, and even in their hearts, 

 this grand Fern grows in luxuriance. 



The Prickly Shield Fern occurs here and there. 

 I scarcely wish it to be more frequent, for of all the 

 larger common Ferns it is the one I least admire. I 

 always think it uninteresting. The colouring is dull 

 and heavy, and the fronds stand in a rather upright, 

 crowded way that to my eye is unsatisfactory. The 

 Male Fern {Lastrea Filix-mas), on the other hand, I 

 am glad to know is the commonest of all ; a fine 

 cheerful handsome thing, always a welcome sight. 

 Many a hedge a little way out of the beaten track is 

 full of it, and in some places in our deep-cut lanes 

 it defies the collector from its inaccessible position. 

 It will bear to be in a fairly dry place ; the shady side 



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