THE BUCKLER FERNS. 
Ill 
thLOugh rather more abruptly, towards the top, while the 
Male Ferns, on the other hand, have a bare stalk for some 
distance, and the leafy part begins abruptly with long pinnae. 
The unfolding tips of L. montana resemble a ball bristling 
with recurved points, resembling in this respect exactly the 
Marsh Fern {L. Thelypteris), while the Male Fern fronds at 
same stage resemble shepherds’ crooks, the pinnae being rolled 
inwards. Finally, should any doubt still exist, an undeniable 
scent of lemon is perceptible if the fronds are passed through 
the hand. This scent is peculiar to the species, and gives it 
one of its popular names. 
This Fern is daintier in its requirements than the Male 
Fern, and is therefore neither so widely distributed nor so 
easy to grow. It demands plenty of moisture, but stagnancy 
is fatal; a good loamy soil suits it admirably if well drained. 
It is not very sportive, and for a long time defied the searchers 
for varieties; but at length, like most of its relations, it 
rewarded perseverance, and yielded some very good and 
distinct forms. 
L. m, Barnesii (Barnes’) stands alone among all Ferns 
found as yet, in the fact that the pinnae on the long, narrow 
fronds are set at right angles to the stalk, and across the 
frond, so that when it is laid down flat, the pinnae stand 
on their edges. 
L. m. congesta (crowded). A dense form, with very closely 
set divisions. 
L. m. coronans (crowned), Barnes. This is a very heavily 
coronet-crested form, for which we are indebted to Mr. J. M. 
Barnes, of Levens, who has been most successful in his 
wooing of this very coy species. 
L. m, cristata (crested), Barnes (12). A very finely crested 
variety, due to same source. 
L. m. grandiceps (large-crested). Smithies. Wild find, 
very heavily crested. Mr. Barnes has raised a similar or 
even better form from spores of a crested find of his. 
L. m. Nowelliana (Nowell’s). Yery singular wild sport. 
Pinnae narrow and sharply pointed; pinnules irregular, short, and 
sharply saw-toothed. Scarcely beautiful, but too curious to omit. 
