THE CRESTED BUCKLER FERN. 
Lastrea cristata.* — Presl. 
Lastrea cristata , L. uliginosa, and L. sjpinulosa , 
constitute a group distinguishable by habit and other 
characters from the allied dilatata group, with which 
the more highly-developed form sjpinulosa is some- 
times associated. “ In our ‘ Handbook of British 
Ferns (2nd ed.),” says Moore, “ this group was 
treated as consisting of three forms of one not very 
variable species ; and notwithstanding that many 
Fern authorities do not appear to adopt this view, we 
have no doubt whatever that the plants possess a 
close natural affinity, and have characters which 
separate them from the forms of Lastrea dilatata , 
however similar to the latter, in some cases, may be 
the degree and mode of division in the fronds — 
points on which botanists are at times too prone to 
rely. The close affinity of the three forms now alluded 
to is evidenced by marks far more important than 
those to be derived from such characters as the out- 
line or cutting of the fronds, namely, by the creeping 
caudex, by the erect narrow fronds, by the sparse and 
pallid broad appressed scales of the stipes, and by the 
* Polypodiuin cristatum {Linnaeus'). 
