] 36 
HISTORY OF BRITISH FERNS. 
pale-green fronds, ranging from two to eight or ten inches 
in length, supported by a short stipes, which is dark- 
coloured at the very base, but otherwise green, the rachis 
being entirely green. The pinnae are small, generally 
roundish-ovate, rather tapered towards the base, and 
attached to the rachis by the narrowed stalk-like part, 
the margin being deeply crenated. 
The venation is distinct: the midvein sends off alter¬ 
nately a series of lesser veins, which are either simple or 
forked, bearing the sori on their anterior side. The sori 
are oblong, covered at first by membraneous indusia, which 
are soon pushed aside; the free margin is jagged or 
crenate. 
A native of moist, rocky, mountainous districts in Eng¬ 
land, Scotland, and Wales; occurring also, though less 
frequently, in Ireland, and throughout Europe. 
This neat-habited plant may be cultivated in pots in a 
close, damp, cold frame ; or on moist, shady rockwork, if 
covered over by a bell-glass. If exposed, it is apt to suffer 
from occasional excessive wet, which often does not pro¬ 
perly drain away ; and also from the dry hot air of our 
summers. The object of covering it with a glass is to 
avoid both these casualties, and provided it is not kept too 
