MALE FERN. “47 
- must be good, as its roots will not bear constant con- 
tact with water: in the hill regions, where it abounds, 
the fall of rain is frequent and abundant, but the 
‘Water passes off by percolation through the soil, or by 
other modes of escape, and never stagnates about the 
‘caudices or radicles of the fern. 
28. MALE FERN. Firrx-mas. 
podium Filix-mas, Linneus. B. F. 183, 193. 
caudex is tufted ; if in a favourable situation it 
; slightly every year, so that in very old 
‘makes a decided appearance above ground, 
crown appears to be seated on a short trunk; 
es, however, it assumes a pendant position, 
crown of the caudex curving at the extremity, and 
ie fronds growing in a nearly erect position. The 
s make their appearance in May; at first they 
perfectly convolute, but after a few days the apex 
a liberated, and hangs down, the frond at this 
Possessing the bend which characterizes a shep- 
erook. In this state it is very tender, and is 
atly cut down by the late frosts of spring; the 
al season, arrive safely at maturity. The 
are mature in August, and last till the middle 
winter nite ‘uninjured ; they are generally fertile, 
