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THE FERN FAMILIES OF BRITAIN. 
erroneously, termed tlie Flowering Fern. Tlie ultimate divisions 
are very large, and shaped like a short scythe. To those 
desirous of trying to raise this Fern from its spores, which 
is not difficult, it may he well to mention that they are shed 
while the capsules are still of a green colour; the ripe spores 
themselves are also of an olive-green colour, instead of the 
usual dark brown tint. Thus, when the capsules assume a 
brown tint, it is too late, and a microscope will display a 
profusion of husks and a plentiful lack of spores. Only two 
good varieties of this Fern have been foimd. 
O. r, cristata (crested). This was a wild find, but being 
gathered in the winter by accident, in company with a batch 
of common ones, it formed an agreeable surprise to the pur- 
chaser when it displayed its peculiar beauties in the following 
spring. It is a charmingly-crested form, all the divisions 
being flatly expanded and crested in a manner which, while 
detracting in no way from the normally bold character of 
the Fern, by the weight of the tassels causes it to assume 
an additional graceful habit of growth, rendering it decidedly 
one of the most desirable forms existing. 
O; r. ramo-cristata (branched-crested). A crested type, 
similar to above, but the fronds split up before cresting. We 
are indebted for our knowledge of this form to Col. A. M. 
Jones’ splendid Nature Prints of our British Ferns. 
