38 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS 



leaflets arranged by threes). — Hooker, Synopsis Filicum, p. 427. Nicholson, 

 Dictionary of Gardening, ii., p. 530. 



O. palustris — pal-us'-tris (marsh-loving). A variety of 0. regalis. 



0. Presliana — Presl-i-a'-na (Presl's). Synonymous with 0. javanica. 



0. regalis — re-ga'-lis (royal), Linnaeus. 



This handsome and deservedly popular species, which for stateliness has 

 no equal in the whole genus, though generally considered as a British Fern, 

 may well be classed among the most useful and most decorative of the 

 exotics of strong growth, as, according to Beddome, it is found abundantly 

 on the banks of rivers and streams on the Neilgherries and other high 

 mountains on the western side of the Madras Presidency ; while Eaton states 

 that it also occurs in great quantities in marshes and wet woods, and 

 by the margins of ponds and streams, throughout North America. In fact, 

 the " Royal Fern " is met with in all parts of the world, from Sweden to 

 Siberia, in Japan, the Azores, Barbary, China, Cape Colony, &c. 



Though not by any means common in all parts of the United Kingdom, 

 in places congenial to its growth 0. regalis is found plentifully, and in such 

 positions grow into huge masses. It is recorded that on the banks of the 

 Clyde Mr. S. Murray measured a tuft which was lljft. high (" British 

 Ferns," by George W. Johnson, 1861, p. 197). In Wales and in Ireland it 

 is somewhat scarce, and is only recorded in the latter country as growing 

 wild in Kelly's Grlen, co. Dublin, in Castlebar, co. Mayo, and in Muckross 

 Abbey, co. Kerry. This is all the more singular, as, on account of the boggy 

 nature of a great portion of the Emerald Isle, and also by reason of its 

 climatic conditions, the growth of 0. regalis would naturally appear to be 

 favoured there. The plant is more plentiful in Scotland, where it is found 

 at the head of Loch Fyne, to the north-east of Inverary, Argyleshire, on 

 the Dumbarton side of Loch Lomond, at the side of the Loch of Incline- 

 damff, Sutherlandshire, in Aberdeenshire, and on the coast of Kincardineshire. 

 But it is in England that the Royal Fern is specially at home, for it is 

 found there over a most extended area ; from the G-oodhilly Downs, near 

 St. Ives, and in the mouths of old mines near Marazion and Cosgarne, in 

 Cornwall, and on the cliffs near Dawlish, near Chudleigh, on the banks of 



