BOSS PEEKS. 



55 



known of British species. Their generally accepted bo- 

 tanical name is Lastrea, wliicli tbey received in honour of 

 a French botanist, and most of the species are large. I'he 

 clusters of spore-cases are almost circular, and have a 

 kidney-shaped covering, which is attached by the concave 

 side, near the notch or indentation. In some respects 

 they are similar to the Lady Eerns, but in the latter the 

 tufts are longer, the coverings more elongated, and the 

 outer margin is fringed. They differ from the Shield 

 Ferns in the kidney shape of the coverings ; and from 

 the Bladder Ferns by the same feature, and the coverings 

 not being hooded. 



The following are recognized British species, all of 

 which are too large for growing in Wardian cases, but 

 are easily cultivated in pots or the open air. 



I. FEONDS (pINI^ATE) ONCE DIYIDED. 



Marsh Feen. — Fronds spear-shaped without glands, 

 root-stock creeping. 



Mountain Boss Fern. — Fronds spear-shaped, covered 

 with glands, root-stock tufted. 



Crest Fern. — Fronds narrow, with oblong leaflets 

 and pale scales. 



II. ERONDS (bI-PINNATE) TWICE DIYIDEI). 



Male Fern. — Fronds spear-shaped, spore-cover not 

 fringed. 



Stiee Boss Fern. — Fronds triangular, leaflets without 

 spiny teeth, spore-cover fringed. 



Spiny Boss Fern. — Fronds narrow, spear-shaped, 

 leaflets with spiny teeth, scales broad. 



Crisped Boss Fern. — Fronds triangular, curled, with 

 spear-shaped toothed scales. 



III. FRONDS (tRI-PINNATe) THRICE DIYIDED. 



^ Broad Boss Fern.— Fronds spear-shaped, much di- 

 vided, lobes with spiny teeth. 



