THE FERN PARADISE. 
Wherever this vigorous and beautiful Fern grows, 
it will impart a delightful and exhilarating fresh- 
ness to its surroundings. 
2 . 
THE BROAD BUCKLER FERN. 
Lastrea dilatata. 
Plate 6 , Fig. 2. 
| BOUT the fronds of this really hand- 
some Fern there is a peculiarly crisped, 
curled appearance, which renders it 
very easily recognizable. Lastrea dilatata is the 
finest of the Lastreas. The stems of the fronds 
are often purple-lined, and they are covered with 
dark brown scales. At their lowest part they are 
thicker than they are above. The leafy portion 
of the frond is, in its general outline, lance-shaped 
— broadest at the base, and tapering upwards. On 
each side of the mid-stem, or rachis, are branches 
placed opposite each other, or nearly so, in pairs. 
344 
