ATHYRICM FILIX FCEMINA. 
75 
The Lady Fern is first mentioned as a British plant 
by Johnson, in his edition of Gerard's “ Herbal," and 
we have the very rare pleasure of knowing not only the 
year but the day of its discovery. “ Never,” says 
Johnson, “ have I seen any figure resembling this 
plant. It groweth abundantly on the shadowy, moist 
rocks by Mapledurliam, near Petersfield, in Hampshire 
John Qoodyer. July 4, 1633.” It was known, however, 
both to Gerard and Bauhin, as a species of Filix mas, 
and the editor of Bay’s “ Synopsis ” of British Plants, 
as late as 1724, describes it as “The Male Fern with 
thin-set, deeply indented leaves." 
Modern botanists have not been unanimous about this 
Fern’s characteristics, hence we find it in their volumes, 
not only as an Athyrium, but as an Aspidium, Polypo¬ 
dium, and A splenium 
April is the best season for propagating, either by 
transplanting, or by division of established plants. It 
is one of the easiest cultivated of all the British Ferns. 
“When placed about rock work, it should occupy a low 
boggy situation at the base of the rock, being planted 
amongst turfy soil, kept thoroughly moistened, either 
naturally or artificially. It is far less beautiful if planted in 
dry exposed situations. Few hardy plants which can be 
introduced among rock work are so thoroughly lovely as a 
vigorous Lady Fern, placed just within the mouth of a 
cavernous recess, large enough to admit of its development, 
and just open enough that the light of day may gleam 
across the dark back ground sufficient to reveal the droop¬ 
ing feathery fronds; and, what is more, it will delight to 
grow in such a situation, if freely supplied with moisture to 
