OSMUNDA. 
203 
shortly stalked, reticulate, and two-valved, the valves 
opening vertically. 
The Osmund Royal is a widely-distributed plant, occur¬ 
ring in favourable localities, that is, marshy and boggy 
situations, throughout the United Kingdom, and, as 
already mentioned, extremely abundant and luxuriant in 
some parts of Ireland. It is common throughout Europe, 
and a very similar plant occurs in the United States of 
America. 
This plant is especially suited, in cultivation, to occupy 
the base of rockwork abutting upon a piece of water, where 
its roots may be placed within the reach of the water. 
For the margins of ponds or lakes, or for any other damp 
localities, it is also well adapted ; and in such situations 
only does it acquire anything like its natural vigour. 
It should have peat earth for its roots. The best way to 
establish it is, to procure strong vigorous patches from 
localities where it abounds, and these, if removed carefully 
any time before growth commences—or even after it is 
considerably advanced — will succeed perfectly. This 
course is far more satisfactory than to make use of weaker 
plants in the hope of their eventually gaining vigour to 
produce a bold and characteristic effect. 
