16 
when Sir Walter Scott visited the lakes of Killarnej, and 
observed this Fern fringing the river between the lakes, the 
Earonet, who had scarcely before uttered a syllable in praise 
of the scenery, exclaimed, “ This is worth coming to see.” 
The foliage of this plant has some resemblance to the 
leaves of the ash tree. The pinnae are opposite each other, 
and furnished with distinct leaflets, which are not opposite, 
hut alternate. The leaflets are generally oblong, though 
sometimes the lower and younger ones are lobed at the base, 
and the edges are serrated. The plant, in its early stage, 
has a reddish cast, and seldom appears until the frosts have 
ceased. The root-stock (caudex) from whence the fronds 
arise, is often one or two feet above the surface of the 
ground, which gives it the appearance of a Fern tree. The 
stalk is woody, as long as the frond itself. The side-veins 
of the leaflets of the barren fronds vary from those of the 
fertile ones. The former fork near the mid-rib, and the 
higher or both of these veins fork a second time. In the 
fertile fronds there issue from the mid-rib on each side 
lateral veins, which do not divide, nor reach the margin. 
The roots are extremely difficult to eradicate, and we have 
found that we need the help of a sturdy labourer with his 
spade and pickaxe to extract this firmly seated plant. The 
stiff spongy soil seems to resist the efforts of the amateur, 
and requires a powerful arm to ensure success in procuring 
a thoroughly good specimen for the fernery. The fructifi- 
cation at first lies compact and close together. When bright 
summer comes and the nipping frosts have passed away, 
then we see the red branches expanding, and the Flowering 
Fern in all its glory. Even a careless observer cannot fail 
to notice how much larger and grander are the leaflets 
of this than any other Fern. 
This plant delights in bogs and w'et places. They succeed 
best in its cultivation, who plant it on the brink of pools 
and streams. This has been done very successfully by the 
Copleston family at Off*well, who have ornamented their fish 
ponds and brooks with this handsome Fern. It was taken 
from some neighbouring swamp, where it flourished in 
great luxuriance. It will also thrive in gardens and planta- 
tions if well supplied with peat or bog earth, and furnished 
with abundance of moisture. Though it grows in open 
