170 
BRITISH FERNS. 
by Smith, but as its involucre is attached to the side of 
the vein, its right place is among the Aspleniums. 
The caudex is large and 
protruding, Mr. Moore com- 
pares it to a rude pedestal ; in 
this respect it shows an affinity 
with the tree-ferns of the tro- 
pics. The stems are nume- 
rous, and about a span long 
in the naked part ; the fronds 
vary from 1| to 3 feet in 
height, they are broadly lan- 
ceolate in form, herbaceous, 
and very delicate in texture, 
and of a light tender green. 
The pinnae are from 4 to 6 
inches long, the leaflets from 
\ to | of an inch. 
For grace of habit, elegance 
of cutting, and delicacy of colour, the Lady-fern stands 
pre-eminent. The fronds rise in May, curled round like 
those of the Male-fern; in June they expand fully, and 
the plant assumes its form of feathery gracefulness. 
Blackish scales beset the stem, and the leaflets are ex- 
tremely fragile. 
This fern grows abundantly in moist woods, flourishing 
very luxuriantly in such situations. It does not shrink 
from exposed or dry localities, but in such its growth is 
stunted. In Ireland it is most abundant, and is there 
used for packing fish. 
The Lady-fern is subject to numerous variations, 
eighteen different forms being noticed in Moore's * Bri- 
tish Ferns Nature-printed/ 
