HEATH'S FERN PORTFOLIO. 
BROAD BUCKLER FERN . — Lastrea dilatata. 
G rowing in freedom, THE BROAD BUCKLER FERN — Lastrea dilatata — 
is amongst the most stately of the Flowerless Plants, often attaining a height 
of five or six feet, and spreading and arching its broad, handsome fronds in a manner that 
is exceedingly beautiful. Oftentimes, however, mature specimens may be found no more 
than a foot long, and the size varies from that to the maximum length, according to less 
or more favourable conditions. Its rootstock is large and tufted, and the rootlets are fibrous 
and abundant. The scales at the base of the frond are mostly few in number, and are 
dark coloured. The elaborate sub-divisions of the leafy part of the frond, together with 
the regular and symmetrical arrangement of the whole, give it its especial grace and 
elegance. The frond, in general form, is broadly lance-shaped, though nearly triangular — 
from being broadest at the base of the leafy part, whence it tapers upwards. The pinnae, 
or first divisions, mostly set in opposite pairs on the rachis, or principal mid stem, are 
triangular below and lance-shaped higher up on the frond. They, in turn, are again divided 
into oblong, somewhat blunt-pointed, opposite or alternate, and very elegantly- formed pinnules,, 
or second divisions, which are in turn divided into lobes, the edges of whose indentations 
are spined. It will be noticed that the lower rows of pinnules on the lower part of the 
frond are longer than the upper ones, and more divided, making the frond tri-pinnate, or three 
times divided. The spore cases, .collected into sari, or little heaps, are scattered over the 
entire under surface of the frond, each somLs, or little heap, being so small as not to be very 
conspicuous. A deep, rich green is the prevailing colour of this fern, and the pinnules, 
being concave on their under sides, the fronds have a crisped or curled appearance. 
Habitats. — Great shade and moisture, with a rich soil of leaf mould, provide the most 
favourable conditions of growth for Lastrea dilatata. Hence deep woods, the sloping sides 
of sheltered^ lanes, and the shaded nooks of stream sides, are its favourite habitats. 
Distribution. — The Broad Buckler Fern is found in the following parts of the world, 
namely In the Azores, Bourbon, British Islands, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, 
Kamtschatka, Lapland, Mingrelia, Norway, Portugal, Rocky Mountains, Sitka, Spain, Switzerland, 
Transylvania, and United States. Where the general conditions of growth are favourable 
to it, it is mostly found growing in great abundance and luxuriance, and no position for dis- 
playing its graceful habits suits it so well as the side of a steep slope, 
