THE SPLEENWORTS . 
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what would correspond to the teeth of the saw 
are narrow, blunt-pointed lobes. The frond is 
widest at its centre, and tapers at each end. It 
has a thick midrib or rachis. What constitutes 
the peculiar elegance of the Scale Fern is the 
contrast presented by the two sides of the frond. 
Its upper surface is of a rich bluish-green, soft 
and velvety to the touch ; its under surface is 
completely hidden by a thick drapery of densely- 
packed reddish-brown scales. These beautiful 
scales extend to every part of the back of the 
frond, covering up midrib and pinnule, and 
affording a snug hiding place for the spores. 
The fronds grow in tufts from a central crown, 
and are always most luxuriant when found at 
the tops of walls, under the shelter of over- 
hanging trees. 
Well do we remember the pleasure we ex- 
perienced on finding, after a long search, our 
first specimens of the Scale Fern. We had 
previously read the description of this beautiful 
species, and had seen the coloured representa- 
tions of it ; but had never happened to set eyes 
