88 



A TERN BOOK TOE EVEEYBODY. 



6 inches, rarely more and sometimes less. The outline of 



the fronds is narrowly spear-shaped, deeply notched on 

 each side nearly to the mid-rib, so as to form a series of 

 rounded lobes, which are generally entire, or smooth at 

 the edge. The upper surface is of a deep dull green, and 

 the under surface of a rusty brown, from the aumerous 

 brown scales which conceal the spore-cases, and which 

 have originated the name of " Eusty-back." The texture 

 of the fronds is thick and leathery, and many of them are 

 persistent through the winter. The veins of the leaves 

 branch and run into each other in a much more compli- 

 cated and netted manner than in the majority of British 

 ferns. 



This fern is widely distributed, though there are pro- 

 bably many counties in which it is seldom or never seen. 

 Old walls and ruins are its favourite localities, but it is 

 sometimes met with in rocky places. It is perhaps most 

 rare in the midland and eastern counties of England. 



This is not an easy fern to cultivate. It never seems 

 to succeed well in the Wardian case, and only occasionally 

 in the open air. The best chance of success is secured 

 by planting it in the chinks of an old wall, in a shady 

 situation. In its natural state the aspect was north-east 

 wherever we have observed it growing freely. The crown 

 must always be so elevated that water will not settle 

 around it ; and to water it freely, especially on the crowns, 

 ensures speedy death and decay. Its small size and 

 peculiar appearance would render it quite an acquisition 

 for the " case," if it could be induced to flourish in such 

 a situation. 



This fern had formerly a reputation in medicine, and 

 the Arabs still believe in its potency. Amongst the drugs 

 sent from Tunis to the Great Exhibition of 1851 was the 

 Scaly Eern. 



THi: HABB FEBNS. 



Clusters of spore-cases in a line on each side of the mid- rib. 



One of the word?? w^hich the old Greeks employed to 

 designate a fern wag Mechnon^^^ and by altering thin 



