70 



A FEElSr BOOK FOR EYERTBODT. 



to designate tlie genus which is known to botanists as 

 Athyriwn (opened), with the only excuse that its single 

 British representative is known as the Lady Fern. The 

 features by which these ferns are distinguished from those 

 nearest allied to them, though somewhat minute and 

 technical in some instances, are nevertheless regarded as 

 sufficient reason for keeping them distinct. The clusters 

 of spore -cases have a somewhat kidney-shaped covering, 

 similar to those in the Boss Terns, attached by the con- 

 cave side, but the outer or convex margin is fringed with 

 hairs, which is not the case in the Boss Ferns. Although 

 in some features closely related to the Spleenworts, yet 

 the form of the clusters, and of their covering, as well as 

 the fringed outer margin, are sufficient to indicate that 

 there is a great and important difference between the 

 Lady Ferns and the Spleenworts, notwithstanding that 

 some authors have grouped them together. The most 

 likely mistake which the beginner may make is to con- 

 found the Lady Fern with the Male Fern and its allies ; 

 but this mistake a closer examination will rectify, for it 

 will be observed that the tufts of spore-cases are elongated 

 and not round, often assuming a horse-shoe shape. 



LADY FERN.* 



As seen growing near the margin of Bala Lake in 

 North Wales, this is truly a magnificent fern, for we have 

 measured fronds of 5 feet in length, and counted from 

 thirty to forty of such fronds in a single tuft. The root- 

 stock is thick, rising a little above the surface, and the 

 outer fronds l3end over to the ground, whilst the inner 

 ones stand nearly erect. About one-third of the leaf- 

 stalk at the base is bare, the rest is occupied by the frond, 

 which has a spear-shaped outline. The branches have a 

 feathery arrangement, and are sometimes opposite to each 

 other in pairs, but more often alternate, about forty on 

 each side. The leaflets have in the outline the shape of a 

 8pear-head, deeply cut into lobes throughout their length. 



* Athyriim filix foemina, RoTH» 



