THE FERN PARADISE. 
second pair of branches the leaflets near the main 
rachis are more deeply cleft than those away from 
it towards the point of the branch. The same 
process of gradual diminution goes on towards the 
highest point of the frond, branches becoming 
shorter and less divided until they merge into 
leaflets, which in their turn become shorter, smaller, 
and less cleft or serrated, until they merge in the 
extreme tip of the frond itself. The general shape 
of the frond, including the whole of its leafy por- 
tion, is triangular ; each of the lowest pair of 
branches is also triangular ; the other branches 
are first lance-shaped, and as they merge into 
leaflets, these become somewhat egg-shaped. The 
distinct lobes of the leaflets, near the main rachis 
on the lower part of the first pair of branches, are 
also somewhat egg-shaped. 
The same conditions of soil, moisture, and situa- 
tion required by Gystopteris regia will avail for 
the successful culture of the Mountain Bladder 
Fern. Beautiful and delicate in the extreme, it 
will well repay all the care and attention which 
may be lavished upon it. If it could be planted 
near a fountain, where by some arrangement water 
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