THE ROYAL FERN. 
149 
few inches above the surface of the ground : but 
in the case of the Royal Fern its root-stock, 
somewhat after the manner of the tree ferns of 
the tropics, is in large specimens raised to a 
height of one, or even two feet above the ground, 
thus forming a kind of pedestal for its tufts of 
tall and arching fronds. 
The general form of the fronds of this stately 
and beautiful fern is lance-like, as, indeed — more 
or less broadly or narrowly — are all our British 
ferns. But there is a peculiar distinctiveness about 
the grand Osmunda which renders it easily recog- 
nisable amongst other species. The stem is of a 
light yellowish green, and the rachis bears several 
pairs of branches, placed on each side of it, and 
opposite : each pair diminishing in length towards 
the point of the frond. The branches are them- 
selves broadly lance-shaped. Ranged in pairs 
on each branch are a set of leaflets. These leaflets 
are oblong in shape, with broad points and obtuse 
bases. In the centre of the base of each leaflet 
there is a slight hollow corresponding with the 
line of its mid-vein, the continuation of which 
