64 



A FERK BOOK FOR EVERYBODY. 



given, however, no one need be deceived into the belief 

 that it has been found in England. 



It is a little unpretending plant of not more than 2 or 

 3 inches in height on the aver- 

 age, although the fertile fronds 

 will in the autumn sometimes 

 attain 5 or 6 inches. A well- 

 grown fertile frond will be 

 found to resemble a small frond 

 of the Parsley Pern. The stalk 

 of the frond has short branches 

 on each side, and along these 

 branches the leaflets are dis- 

 posed. The leaflets are nearly 

 wedge-shaped, commonly di- 

 vided into three lobes, which 

 are notched at the apex. The 

 spore-cases are produced in 

 lines along the veins, which 

 are at first distinct enough, 

 but, as they attain maturity, 

 approach each other so closely 

 as to appear as if the spore- 

 cases were scattered over the 

 whole under surface of the frond. 



This plant will grow from the spores freely, but, as an 

 annual, it is not of much value as an ornamental fern, 

 either for pot culture g:p the Wardian case, especially as 

 it should be grown in a " stove " to insure success. 



It is a native of Middle and Southern Europe, the isles 

 of the Mediterranean, and Northern Africa, and has also 

 been found in Mexico. 



THU BOSS FEBNS. 



Clusters of spore-cases circular, with a kidney- shaped covering, 

 attached by the edge. 



The Boss Eerns, or, as they are sometimes called, 

 Buckler Eerns, include some of the commonest and best 



