NEPHRODIUM. 



487 



which are also of a blunt nature. The fructification usually occupies the 

 upper half of the frond ; the numerous round sori (spore masses) are disposed 

 close to the midvein, and covered with a flat, kidney-shaped involucre of 

 a fugacious nature. — Hooker, Species Filicum, iv., p. 121. Nicholson, Dictionary 

 of Gardening, iv., p. 573. Lowe, Ferns British and Exotic, vi., t. 20. Eaton^ 

 Ferns of North America, ii., t. 66. 



Considered as a purely British species, the Crested Buckler Fern is one 

 of our rarest plants. It has been found on boggy heaths, among coarse grass, 

 at the Lows, on Holt Heath ; at Fritton, near Yarmouth, in Suffolk, and on 

 Surlingham Road, near Norwich, in Norfolk ; at Westleton and at Bexley, 

 near Ipswich, in Suffolk ; on Oxton Bogs, in Nottinghamshire ; near Madeley, 

 in Staffordshire ; and on Wybunbury Bog, in Cheshire. In Ireland it has 

 been discovered at Rathronan, near Clonmel. There are no records of its having 

 ever been found either in Scotland or in the West of England. In Gerarde's 

 "Herbal," edited by Dr. Johnson, the latter says that "it then (1633) grew 

 plentifully in the boggy, shadowy moors near Durnford Abbey, in Sussex, 

 and also on the moist, shadowy rocks by Maple Durham, near Petersfield, in 

 Hampshire." Bay, in his " Historia Plantarum," also states that Mr. Goodyer 

 had found it, not only in Sussex, but also in many other places in England. 

 In its native situations it appears to prefer growing on the sides of large 

 tufts of Aira ccespitosa and other swamp-loving grasses. 



Owing to its native places being boggy situations, N. cristatum is 

 somewhat difficult to grow successfully for any length of time. As an outdoor 

 Fern, if planted in peaty soil near the water, it will flourish as well as in its 

 native habitat, but in less favourable situations it will become weaker every 

 year, until it finally, in two or three years, dies. Mr. W. Reeve, who grew 

 it most successfully, gives the following directions for its cultivation : " The 

 Lastrea cristata is a very useful plant for adorning the moist, shady parts of 

 the rockery and shrubbery, as well as for growing in pots. Those who wish 

 to grow it as a pot plant must drain well and give the plants a compost of 

 loam and fibrous peat in equal parts, with a free admixture of silver sand ; 

 and plenty of room will be required as the plant increases in size. It prefers 

 being grown in a damp, shady, and cool rather than hot situation. When 

 grown in a high temperature, the unfolding fronds become long and weak, 

 the plant loses its beauty and oftentimes damps quite off, or dwindles away. 



