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A rERK BOOK FOR EVERYBODY. 



tions in the mountain districts of Great Britain. It is a 

 very easy fern to cultivate, and will grow freely in common 

 garden mould in the open air, or in pots in a greenhouse. 

 We have introduced it into a closed case, but its attenuated 

 and sickly appearance in such a situation seems to indicate 

 that it only occupies room which many another species 

 would fill with greater satisfaction. 



The most distinct variety of this fern is the one which 

 bears the name of Dr. Dickie, Professor of Botany at 

 Aberdeen, near which place it was first found. It has a 

 compact habit, the branches being so close that their 

 edges overlap, and the leaflets are rounder and more closely 

 set than in the typical form. 



There is also a toothed variety {dentatd), in which the 

 edges of the leaflets are notched all round into a border 

 of short teeth. 



EOYAL BLADDEE FEEN.^ 



This is sometimes called the Alpine Bladder Eern, and 

 produces its fronds in tufts of from 4 to 7 or 8 inches in 

 length. The outline of the fronds is spear-shaped, with 

 a short stalk, a little scaly, at the base. The frond is 

 divided into six or seven pairs of branches, which latter 

 have a narrow leafy edge or wing. Each branch is nearly 

 at right angles with the stalk, and diminishes outwards, 

 so as to be of an elongated triangular outline. The leaflets 

 are small and deeply cut into narrow lobes, which are oc- 

 casionally notched. The tufts of spore-cases are rounded 

 and placed near tlie edges of the leaflets. 



This is one of those very rare species, regarding which 

 doubts are often entertained as to the desirability of con- 

 tinuing to regard them as British. The present species 

 was found on an old wall at Low Leyton, but in the south 

 of Europe it afifects mountainous stations 



A good reputation is given to this fern under culti- 

 vation. It is said to succeed well out of doors or in a 

 greenhouse, but to be impatient of confinement in a 



* Cystopteris alpina, Desv. 



