THE MARSH FERN. 
53 
crowded entire rounded lobes, the lobes of the fertile 
frond appearing narrower and more pointed on account 
of the bending under of their margins. The venation 
of the lobes consists of a distinct somewhat wavy mid- 
vein, from which alternate venules branch or fork out, 
each branch bearing a sorus half way between the 
midvein and the margin. The sori often become con- 
fluent and are partly concealed by the bending back 
of the margin. The indusium is small, thin, shape- 
less, and soon thrown off. 
The Marsh Fern is to be known from the other 
Buckler Ferns by its long, comparatively slender 
rhizome, which is unlike that of any other native 
species. It ought not therefore to be confounded, as 
it sometimes is, with L. Oreopteris , which has a short 
thick tufted caudex, merely decumbent in habit. It 
differs farther in having its fronds of their full width 
almost to the very base, and supported by a long bare 
stipes, while L. Oreopteris has diminished pinnae 
carried down almost to the base of the stipes ; and in 
its fronds being almost free from glands, while those 
of L. Oreopteris are very conspicuously glandular and 
very fragrant. It is still less like other species. It is 
readily cultivable, wanting only a moist peaty situation, 
a damp garden border or a boggy pool, where its 
rambling stems may have room to spread. If set in 
pots they should be large and shallow. 
Only one station for this rare fern is known, in the 
district : it was discovered about the year 1853, by 
Miss E. Hodgson, Miss A. Hodgson, and Miss A. 
Parker, at Rowdsey, near Ulverston. 
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