ATHYRIUM, 
123 
growth of the spore-cases has disrupted its anterior margin^ 
and eventually becoming quite turned back. 
Athyrium Filix-fcemina, Both. 
The Lady Fern, (Plate XL) 
The Lady Fern claims precedence over every other 
British species, on account of the exquisite grace of its 
habit of growth, the elegance of its form, and the delicacy 
of its hue. This is more or less true of every one of the 
various conditions in which it occurs. The habit of the 
plant is tufted, the caudex of the larger varieties often 
with age acquiring some height, and elevating the circlet 
of fronds on a low, rude pedestal ; this stem, however, 
never acquires more than a few inches in length. In 
winter, the summit of this stem, whether a tuft seated 
close to the ground, or a few inches elevated, is occupied 
by a mass of incipient fronds, each rolled up separately, 
and nestling in a bed of chaffy scales. In May or June, 
these fronds become developed, a score or upwards being 
usually produced, from large vigorous stems. They reach 
maturity early in the summer, during which time a few 
additional fronds are generally developed from the centre ; 
and the whole of them are, under ordinary circumstances. 
