112 
THE FERN FAMILIES OF BRITAIN, 
Xi. m. plnmosa (feathery), Airey. Fine plamose form, with 
general aspect of a Lady Fern. 
L. m, ramo-corouans (hranched-crowned). Crested like 
coronans, hut the fronds branch previously, thus multiplying 
the crests. 
The Rigid Buckler Fern 
(Lastrea rigida. Syn. Nephrodium rigidurn). 
A TYPE of Lastrea of very limited distribution, being found 
growing only in clefts of limestone rocks, notwithstanding 
which, however, it is grown without difficulty in ordinary 
soil. It is deciduous, and differs from the Male Fern in its 
stiffer growth, smaller size, and dusty, dull green colour. No 
constant varieties have been found, and it is not in itself 
attractive. 
The Marsh Buckler Fern 
(Lastrea Thelypteris. Syn. Nephrodium Thelypteris). 
This is one of the few Ferns which delight in absolute mud, 
a fact which must not be forgotten in its cultivation. In 
appearance its fronds nearest resemble L. montana, their 
mode of unfolding being identical. The fronds, however, have 
long stalks, and the narrow, tapering, basal pinnae are lacking ; 
the frond, minus the long stalk, approaching closely the shape 
of the Male Fern. The most characteristic difference, however, 
is that the fronds rise singly from a slender, creeping root- 
stock, instead of in a clump from a crown, so that under 
favourable conditions the Fern spreads in all directions, and 
the shuttlecock plan of architecture assumed by all the rest 
of the British Lastreas is totally abandoned. 
To cultivate this Fern the best plan is to sink a glazed 
earthenware pan quite below the surface of the soil, fill 
this half full of bits of brick and sphagnum moss, shovel in 
the common soil, and plant the Fern. The pan, by holding 
a supply of water, will form a capital starting point, whence 
the Fern will ramble, unless checked, in all directions, driving 
its roots a yard or more into otherwise uncongenial soil. 
No varieties. 
