BRITISH FERNS. 
38 
delicate though similar Lady Fern, Nephrodium Filix 
Foemina. The stipites or stalks are densely scaly. The 
fronds grow in circular clumps about two or three feet 
in height: they spring in a circular manner from the 
large scaly rhizome, and, in the early part of the year, 
as they uncoil themselves from their ring-like condi¬ 
tion have a very beautiful appearance. The upper 
and lower pinnae are much shorter than those of the 
middle, which gradually taper off to the point. The 
fronds are from five to ten in number; their position 
nearly erect, or radiating from the centre. The sori 
are rather large on the upper branch of the forked 
lateral veins, and covered by a conspicuous kidney¬ 
shaped indusium, which is attached to the vein just at 
the point where the stalks of the capsules are situated. 
It is one of the best species to study, with a view to 
understand the fructification of ferns, on account of 
the prominence of the indusium in fully-developed 
fronds. It is of a more permanent character than 
most other British ferns. 
The Male Fern is found in every country of Europe 
and Northern Asia, and has been collected in Africa; 
but is not recognised as belonging to America. It 
delights in woody and shady districts, and may be 
found in almost every country ramble in England. It 
is most abundant in cultivated districts, and in rich 
soils it lives to a great age; the fronds of each succeed¬ 
ing year appearing to increase in size. [Were this a 
rare fern, it would be greatly prized, but, being 
