1036 



THE FERN FAMILY. 



ments, of a thick consistence, and en- 

 tire or crenate. Panicle 1 to near 2 

 inches long, of a narrow pyramidal shape, 

 the branches all turned towards one 

 side. 



In dry, hilly, or mountain pastures, in 

 northern and Arctic Europe, Asia, and 

 America, in the mountains of central and 

 southern Europe, the Caucasus, and 

 Altai, and reappearing in the Antarctic 

 regions. Widely diffused over Britain, 

 but not generally common. Fr. sum- 

 mer. 



Fig. 1259. 



III. OSMUND. OSMOTDA. 



Fronds once or twice pinnate, the leafy part barren ; the fructifica- 

 tion consisting of clustered spore-cases, either in a panicle at the end 

 of the frond, or, in exotic species, in some other part of the frond, but 

 always distinct from the leaf- like part ; each spore-case opening by a 

 vertical fissure. 



A genus of few species, natives chiefly of the temperate regions of 

 of both hemispheres, especially the northern one. 



1. Royal Osmund* Osmunda regalis, Linn. (Fig. 1260.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 209.) 



The perennial stock often forms a trunk rising perceptibly from the 

 ground, and sometimes to the height of a foot or more. Fronds grow- 

 ing in tufts, erect, from a foot or two in dry, poor soils, to 8 or 10 feet 

 when very luxuriant, tw r ice pinnate, with lanceolate or oblong segments, 

 1 to 2 inches long, rather stiff, prominently veined, either entire or 



