CRESTED BUCKLER FERN. 35 
They attain a height of two or more feet under favour¬ 
able circumstances, and are peculiarly erect, narrow¬ 
ing towards the upper part. Rather more than a 
third of the stem is bare of pinnae, and covered with 
pale brown membranous scales. The sori are in two 
single rows, between the margin and the centre of the 
frond, and generally on the upper pinnules. The 
fronds appear in May, and the fructification is matured 
about August or September, soon after which, except 
in very mild seasons, they perish by frost. This fern 
is often confounded with Nephrodium Filix Mas , which, 
however, differs in many important points, as will be 
seen. 
This plant is very local in its distribution, being 
confined to boggy heaths and moors, and occurring but 
in four counties of England ; viz. Nottinghamshire, 
Cheshire, Norfolk, and Suffolk. The places recorded 
as producing it, are Bansey Heath, near Lynn, Fritton, 
Dersingham, and Edgefield, in Norfolk; Oxton Bogs 
and Bulwell Marshes, in Nottinghamshire; and Wy- 
bunbury Bog, in Cheshire. The Suffolk station is 
doubtful, but Mr. Davy is said to have gathered it on 
bogs among alder-bushes, at Westleton, in that county. 
Mr. Mackay gives this fern as a native of Ireland, and 
Sir W. Hooker as a native of Scotland. It is not 
uncommon in moist and boggy places in Europe, Asia, 
and North America. 
It is not a difficult fern to cultivate, and bears a 
change of condition better than many plants which 
