314 THE BRITISH FERNS. 
sporangiferous, represented by the eastern O. javanica, and the 
western O. Claytoniana; and $ Osmundastrum, having the fertile and 
sterile fronds distinct, represented by the North American O. 
cinnamomed. 
There are many versions of the derivation of the name, all of 
which seem to be speculative. It has been said to come from the 
Saxon osmund, domestic peace: from os house and mund peace. 
Others have derived it from osmundare to wash the mouth, but the 
application is not obvious. According to others again, it is comme- 
morative of Osmund a waterman of Loch Tyne, who if the legend 
may be depended on, hid his wife and fair-haired daughter on an 
island of the lake, covered with these plants, during an incursion of 
the Danes. 

BRITISH SPECIES AND VARIETY. 
O. regalis: a tall growing bipinnate aquatic perennial with terminal inflorescence: 
like fructification. 
var. cristata: fronds pinn® and pinnules multifid-erisped at the apex. 

