54 
of a reddish cast, never half so long as the frond, with a 
broad flat base on one side, and semi-circular on the other. 
The scales are of a dark, blackish colour, and are interspersed 
over the lower part of the plant. The root is sometimes 
mistaken for that of the Male Fern. “ It has a short per- 
pendicular root-stalk, black externally, with black root 
fibres ; and the tufts or bases of the leaf-stalks, which 
compose the greater part of it, form a very acute angle 
with its axis, while those of the Male Fern extend outward 
at a more open angle.” (Christison). The trunk or stock 
often rises above the earth. This Fern will easily be dis- 
covered by any one though not a botanist, if he carefully 
notice how extremely fragile it is, and how it withers almost 
immediately upon being gathered. Its height varies from 
one to three feet and upwards, and its favorite resort is in 
moist and warm woods, though we find it in open moors, 
and under wet hedge-banks. 
The Brake (Pteris) was called by the ancients the Female 
Fern. They do not seem to have noticed this plant. 
Parkinson perhaps alludes to our species, when he describes 
two varieties of what was then designated the Female Fern, 
which he says had not formerly been observed. These he 
calls “ The dented and sharp pointed Female Ferns.” * He 
adds “ They grow rather on moist rocks, and the shaded hills.” 
The name Lady Fern was not given because the plant was 
tender, elegant, and beautiful, but because in certain cases 
it was thought to be most deleterious and injurious, when 
taken by the female sex. Linnseus, the great Swiss botan- 
ist, first assigned the distinctive name of Lady Fern to this 
plant. He assuredly showed great taste in giving the 
appellation to so lovely and charming a child of nature. 
Hooker and Francis call it Asplenium Femina, and 
Smith, Aspidium Ml, Mem. 
This may be easily cultivated in a loose and light soil. 
A shady situation should be selected, where there is an 
abundant supply of moisture. In wet woods, or under a 
sheltered hedge, with a little stream purling by, we have the 
finest specimens. Let us only imitate nature, and we, too, 
shall have luxuriant plants. 
* Filix femina pinnulis dentatis et aculeatis pinnulis. 
