52 
FERNS. 
[ Osmunda . 
OSMUNDA, Linn., ROYAL-FERN. 
(Osmund, the Saxon for strength, this plant being the largest and strongest 
of our Ferns (?) 
PLATE OF GENEltA, FIG. XIV. 
In this genus the upper part of the leafy frond becomes changed into a com- 
pound spike of fructification , without any indusium, receptacle , or annulus. 
Osmunda is a small genus, the species of which very much resemble each other in 
size and character. They are natives of Europe and North America. 
OSMUNDA REGALIS. 
ROYAL-FERN. WATER-FERN. FLOWERING-FERN. 
(Plate 4, fig. 7.) 
Ciia. — F rond bipinnate. Pinnules oblong, nearly entire, slightly 
auricled. Sori terminal. 
Syn. — Osmunda regalis, Linn., Wtild., Bolt., and all Modern Botanists. 
Fig. — E. B. 209 —Bolt. b.—Flo. Dan. 217.— Flo. Lon. 150.— Ger. 1131. 
Des. — Root a thick, short, scaly and fibrous tuber. Rachis 
smooth, rigid, upright. Fronds several, 3 to 0 feet high, bright 
green, twice pinnate. Pinna? distant, nearly opposite. Pinnules 
almost sessile, oblong, blunt, with waved or slightly crenate edges, 
frequently auricled. Those pinnae on the top of the frond are either 
wholly or partially changed into fructification, when they appear 
like a compound spike, each bunch, of which seems composed of a 
number of circular bundles of capsules. The thecae are petioled and 
beautifully reticulated. Spores nearly globular. 
V ie. — The internal parts of the root, as well as the young fronds, were once 
used in Pharmacy as a cure for bruises, and as conferring strength. 
Sit. — In wet woods, swampy moors, &c. 
Hab. — Eng. : Comer of the Lake at Uckfield, Sussex, and at Bulwell, 
Notts, (near the upper mill,) Mr. T. H. Cooper. Near Cliudlcigh, on the 
banks of the Tcign, also near Ivy Bridge on the Ermc, and on the Goonliilly 
Downs, about St. Ives, Mr. Jones. Chat Moss, Mr. W. Christy. Woolston 
Moss and other places near Warrington, Lancashire, Mr. W. Wilson. Isle of 
Man, Mr. C. Forbes. Pottery Car, near Doncaster, Mr. S. Appleby. Dr. 
Kavanah’s Wood, Great Warlcy Common, also near the Barracks, on Little 
Warley Common, Mr. R. Castles. Near Leith Hill, Surrey, and in several 
places from 5 to 8 miles S. W. of Dorking, Mr. W. Pamplin. On Bagshot 
Heath, Mr. J. Lloyd. Ellesmere Lakes and West Felton, Salop, Mr. IF. 
Leighton. Tonbridge, Mr. Trevelyan. Sussex and Isle of Wight, Rev. G. E. 
Smith. Norfolk, Miss Bell. Warwickshire, Rev. W. Bree. Near Leeds, Mr 
Denny. — Sco. : Head of Loch Fine, to the N.E. of Inverary, Argyleshire, and 
near Loch Lomond (Dumbarton side), Mr. H. C. Watson. At the side of the 
Loch at Inchnedamff, Sutherlandshire, Dr. Johnston. Aberdeenshire and 
coast of Kincardineshire, Dr. Murray. — Ire. : Mucruss Abbey, Mr. Kelly. 
Castlebar, Mayo, Dr. Osborne. Kelly’s Glen, Co. Dublin, &c., Mr. Mackuy 
Geo. — E urope, chiefly the Northern parts, and all the United States. 
