THE BUCKLER FERNS. 
387 
elongation of the leaflets on the under part of the 
mid-stem of the lower branches of the frond, are 
characteristic of both Dilatata and Becurva. But 
there is this marked distinction; that, whereas 
the lobes of the leaflets in Dilatata are curled 
or crisped backwards, as if more completely to 
shelter or hide the spores, those of Becurva are on 
the contrary bent somewhat in the opposite direc¬ 
tion, or forward. The lobes in Becurva are, too, 
of a more delicate texture than those of Dilatata , 
and whilst the colour of the mature fronds of the 
latter is dark green, those of the former are of a 
lighter shade, with a kind of light-bluish tinge. 
In Becurva , when the plant is mature in the 
autumn, the whole under surface of the frond is 
thickly studded with the seed-cases which con¬ 
tain the spores. But the exquisite hay-scent of 
Becurva at once decides the doubting Fern-hunter. 
Take a mature or even a faded frond in the hand, 
and crush it between the fingers, and the de¬ 
lightful odour which will be instantly emitted will 
quickly decide the species, if it is a frond of 
Becurva that you hold ! 
The Hay-scented Buckler Fern attains an 
a a 
