BRITISH FERNS. 
57 
GYMNOGRAMMA LEPTOPHYLLA. 
Th'IS is only a Britisher in a political sense, since it gets no 
nearer than Jersey, though largely distributed in other parts of the 
world. It belongs to the tribe of Gold and Silver Ferns, but is not 
ambitious in that line, though pretty. It is almost thrice divided, 
and has slender fronds 3 inches or 4 inches high.. It enjoys ti e 
distinction of being one of the very few Ferns which are annuals, 
i. e . , not merely deciduous, but actually dying after shedding its 
spores ; consequently, it can only be grown under a bell-glass, 
where its spores can germinate and so perpetuate it. It wants a 
moist soil and plenty of light, like all its relatives. No varieties. 
THE LASTREAS (BUCKLER FERNS). 
The Lastreas (or Nephrodiums) derive their common name of 
Buckler Ferns from the shape of the indusium or spore heap 
cover, which has a fanciful resemblance to a b.uckler or shield., 
but is better described as kidney-shaped, which the .word 
Nephrodium implies. The Shield Ferns (Polystichum), apart 
from their mitten-shaped pinnules, have perfectly round indusia, and 
hence are easily distinguished. The Lastreas, taken as a body, 
undoubtedly embrace our commonest and most prevalent species, 
abounding in profusion everywhere where Fern life is at all 
favoured. The genus is represented in Great Britain by no less 
than nine species and sub-species, viz., Lastrea Filix-mas or 
the male Fern, with its sub-species L. pseudo-mas and L. pro- 
pinqua, L. dilatata or the Broad Buckler Fern (with, which ,we 
include L. spinulosa and L. uiiginosa), L. oemula, the hay-scented 
Fern, L. oreopteris or montana, the mountain Buck er Fern, 
L. rigida, L. thelypteris, the marsh Buckler Fern, and L. cristata, 
a narrow fronded form probably of L. dilatata, and named cristata 
with no justification at all.* As regards culture the male Ferns 
will grow in any soil, L. dilatata and its kin have a predilection 
for peaty leafy moist habitats, L oemula especially. The mountain 
Buckler Fern abhors lime and revels in yellow loamy well-drained 
* Note I y Dr. Stansfield. — L. dilatata, spinulosa, uligino-a, and crisiata form a 
chain of sub-species in the order named, the extreme forms are as distinct as any 
two spe'ies in the genus, but the intermediate forms merge into etch other. 
L. crisiata is a real bog Fern, di^tata does not grow in bogs though it is found on 
islands in bogs. 
