Nephrodium. 
135 
rous fibrous roots, which soon become matted. From 
the various branches of the caudex arise numerous 
single fronds. The stems are black or purplish-brown 
at the base ; they are slender and brittle, and nearly as 
long as the leafy part of the 
frond. The fronds unfold in 
June; they are ovate-lanceo- 
late, the pinnae narrow and at 
some distance from one an- 
other, tapering at the point 
but broad at the base. The 
colour of the fronds is pale 
green in their youth, and a 
full rich green after they have 
attained maturity, the texture 
delicate and smooth ; the fer- 
tile fronds are taller than the 
barren ones. The leaflets are 
oblong and rounded at the 
point, those of the fertile fronds look narrower, because 
their margin is rolled back over the sori. The pinnae are 
placed opposite one another. 
This is a somewhat rare fern. It frequents boggy 
heaths, where its branching caudex can ramble freely at 
its will. It is seldom found in Scotland. 
Nephrodium Tlielypteris grows in Asia, North Ame- 
rica, Canada, New Zealand, and Africa. 
It is a suitable fern for the foot of a rockery, where 
drainage, moisture, and shade can be secured. Its sine 
qua non is room to extend its branching caudex. 
Mr. Newman separates this fern from the rest of the 
group, calling it Hemestheum . His reason for so doing 
is the creeping nature of the caudex, the characteristic 
