STACK ANNEX UHtl • '.' m A PLAIN AND EASY ACCOUNT THE BRITISH FERNS. WHEREIN EACH SPECIES IS PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED UNDER ITS RESPECTIVE GENUS, AND THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE GENERA GIVEN IN WORDS OF COMMON USE. SERVING AS A KEY TO LARGER TREATISES. Secontr Ctiitton. ENLARGED AND RE-ARRANGED iriTH ILLUSTRATIONS. LONDON : ROBERT HARDWICKE, 26, DUKE ST., PICCADILLY. AND ALL BOOKSELLERS. BOBBBT HABDWICKE, 26, DUKE STRIBT, PICCADHIT. PREFACE. THE works from which, though with occa- sional differences, this Outline of our BRITISH FERNS is mainly compiled, were spoken of at large in the former edition, namely, ' An Analysis of the British Ferns/ by George Francis, F.L.S. London : Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., Stationers' -hall Court. Sowerby^s ( English Botany/ Class XXIV, Cryptogamia, Order I, Filices, pp. 29, pi. 43. ' A Handbook of British Ferns/ by Thomas Moore, F.L.S. Groombridge, Paternoster Row; and Pamplin, Frith Street, Soho ; and ( A Popular History of the British Ferns/ by the same, Reeve and Benham, Henrietta Street, Covent Garden: all of them to be strongly recommended to any one desirous of more fully studying the subject : the first, for his definitions, and exhi- bitions of genera ; the second, for the plates ; the third, for details and culture ; the last, for habitats. To such as wish for a yet simpler guide, the present may prove not altogether useless ; the description of each species being given in words of common use, and the tech- nical language of the above, so puzzling to a beginner, avoided : except so far that it has now been preferred to designate the lateral 2091158 4 PREFACE. offshoot from the stem, whether perfect branch or perfect leaf, by its proper name of Pinna ; and the foliage on the branches, when formed into a distinct and separate number, by that of Pinnule; when connected with them in its whole breadth, by the (may I hope excusable, though unauthorised ?) diminutive of Pinnulet. A fresh, alphabetical, arrangement has also been adopted, the months when the young yearly fronds may usually be expected appended to each species, and other advisable alterations and additions made throughout. The plates will be found to convey a clear general idea of each plant, figured ; the details being, of course, to be sought for from the letter-press. N.B. As all pinnae growing at right angles to a vertical stem must, necessarily, so far be horizontal in their length, it may be well to note, that by the term, as applied herein, is in- tended that, instead of lying in the same plane with that main stem, they are so turned, as to present the front breadth of their surface or foliage facing the sky, being, in fact, supine. EDWIN BOSANQUET. Forscote Kectory, Somersetshire, August 1855. INTRODUCTION. AMONG our indigenous plants there are few that more invite and reward our care, than the tribe of Ferns. The commoner, but not there- fore less striking, kinds are easily transplanted at any season. All are perennials,* and require but ordinary attention to prosper. Nor is it a slight recommendation to their study and culti- vation, that our native species may be com- prised in about five-and-forty, the genera being put at sixteen : so that we have an easy limit both to our inquiries and our acquisition. As our companions in the drawing-room during the winter, they will thrive under glass, demanding neither successive watering there, nor change * An exception may be made of a little annual lately found in Jersey — the Grymnogramma Leptophylla. Eoot tufted. From 3 to 6 inches. Very delicate, short, pinnae, with tiny fan or wedge-shaped pinnules, scalloped above. Sori linear, afterwards somewhat round, uniting, and covering the whole under surface. Taller, larger, and more compound, in foreign parts. A full account and figure of this is given in the last edition of Moore's 'Handbook,' which is improved by a tabular arrangement of the districts in which each British species is indigenous respectively. 0 INTRODUCTION. of air. Very graceful in their feathery form, and elegant in their waving varieties of foliage, when once shooting up in the spring they con- tinue in verdure to live down whole families of their gaudier rivals ; yielding at length only to the frosts of late autumn, and many persisting even then, especially in protected situations. And during this time they are a source of renewed interest in their fresh and fresh growth and development. First, we have a flattish or roundish crosier just peeping above its parent soil; then, ere long, we see the head thicken in the inner fold, and gradually throw out little wings below (them- selves, in the more complicate sorts, being similarly curled up at their ends, and after- wards, duly in their turn, evolving them- selves), which next it leaves behind, slowly unrolling itself upwards from them; then another pair, and then the higher progress again ; and so on, till the complete frond or sepa- rate shoot, with its pinnae, pinnules, &c., stands forth in its full youthful shape, to be expanded more widely day by day up to its perfect form. The classification of this tribe is according to their fructification (the seed-vessels, their dis- INTRODUCTION. I position, and appendages), and this, therefore, is the first thing to be looked to for disco- vering the genus ; and for this purpose, and in order to become fully acquainted with the beauties, and discover clearly the minuter features, of our subject, it were advisable to provide one's self with a magnifying lens, a pocket " Coddington," for example, which may be had for about a crown. In deciding after- wards on the individual species, which a little practice can alone teach correctly, it must, however, be borne in mind, that though each may have one ordinary or typical form, yet, from soil, situation, locality, and other causes, variations will oftentimes occur; nor do the very young plants at first present all the com- plete points of their respective characters ; how- ever, still their identity may be traced through these occasional modifications. To proceed, then, to their fructification. The dust-like and almost invisible seeds, or spores, of Ferns are contained in little cases, or theca* * The tint of both of these changes, of course, in ripening ; the latter also, retaining to the end something of their trans- parency, often seem of the hue of the former while yet con- taining them, though after their departure perceived to be really of their own dusky brown or reddish colour. 8 INTRODUCTION. of a roundish shape; which are them- selves encircled (except in the instances of Osmunda, Botrychium, and Ophioglossum, where it is wanting) by a jointed ring, hori- zontal in Trichomanes and Hymenophyllum, and vertical in the rest ; the elasticity of which eventually bursts open the thecse, and scatters the spores when mature. The links of this ring, and its operation in breaking, may be plainly seen through the lens above recom- mended. These thecae are, in the majority of the genera, arranged on the back of the pin- nules, in linear, oblong, or circular, clusters, called Sori ; either having, or not having, above the mass, a thin skin-like integument — Indu- sium — nearly of the same figure as that mass itself: at first, covering and inclosing the young seed-cases ; afterwards torn away at its margin, or cast off". In some instances, however, the plant itself is moreover divided into barren and fertile fronds, either of a distinctly different, or of the same, form, only that the fertile are rather narrower and less expanded, and come out later. They also, and the fructification otherwise, sometimes do not make their ap- pearance at all after transplantation, until the INTRODUCTION. 9 stranger has become fully settled in its new home. When this is not the cause, but the specimen itself, though full-grown, naturally assumes a distinctly sterile character, this absence of fruit will often be found counter- balanced (as it is in the case of the separate fronds above) by a greater size or width. As regards culture, Ferns prefer a northern aspect, shade, and shelter, not as indispensable indeed, but as conducing to their finer and more per- fect condition, growth, and development. The soil they affect is a mixture of peat-earth and sand, with pebbles intermingled therein, for the roots in many instances to cling thereto ; their only manure, that from dried leaves, or the like vegetable matter. For water they are generally thankful, and in setting them especially (which should not be done too deeply, nor the young fronds, already appearing above ground, buried) , their beds should be first filled therewith to receive them. In all the wall kinds, the roots are best placed under the protection of the stones among which they are to grow ; and in most cases reference may be beneficially made to their natural habits, with a view to a some- what analogous treatment. It should also be 10 INTRODUCTION. remembered, that the real feeders are not the main mass of root, so called, but the fibres therefrom. For the drawing-room under glass, of course the evergreens are best chosen, as affording liveliness and verdure during the winter; the closest set together and fullest being most adapted for this purpose; as all plants thus circumstanced are inclined to run to stalk and straggle upwards. Nor can it be expected that they will continue to nourish there, year after year, without the occasional reinvigoration of fresh soil and a renewed atmosphere. Where not sheltered out of doors, the wind sometimes proves a little injurious, or even poisonous as it were, to a few of the young and tender fronds. Too great neatness in trimming off those that have died down at the end of the season is not advisable, as they are a defence to the plant, and the deprivation per- haps rather enfeebles it; and besides, when left to fall off of themselves, they assist other decaying substances around in forming a natural compost for it. Ferns may be raised from seed, carefully potted and managed. INDEX TO THE GENERA. *#* To find the Fern desired, it is simply necessary to look to its fructification, and then, by casting the eye down the following list, the genus to which it belongs will at once be seen ; and afterwards the individual species, name, &c. by referring to the descriptions given under that genus. NON-INDUSIATE, OR WITHOUT ANY DISTINCT INDUSIUM BELONGING THERETO. Sori on the back in lines ; back scaly. GRAMMITIS. Sori on the back in round masses, perfectly naked. POLYPODIUM. Sori circular, beneath the recurved margin of the pinnule. CRYPTOGRAMMA. 12 INDEX TO THE GENERA. Sori contained in little two-valved vessels, springing from the pinna, and adjoining the stem. HYMENOPHYLLUM. Sori contained in entire cups, springing from the pinna, dispersed. TRICHOMANES. Sori naked, on a fertile, compoundly-branched, spike, surmounting a succession of barren, leafy, pinnae. OSMUNDA. Sori naked, on a fertile, compoundly-branched, spike, rising above a single, barren, leafy, pinna. BOTRYCHIUM. Sori naked, on a fertile, simple, spike. OPHIOGLOSSUM. INDEX TO THE GENERA. 13 INDUSIATE; OR WITH A DISTINCT INDUSIUM BELONGING THERETO. Sori on the back, in round masses. Indusiuin round like a shield, and fixed in the centre only, as in the family of Lonchitis; or appearing somewhat like a kidney, from having a deep connecting indentation from the centre to the extremity, as in the rest. ASPIDIUM. Sori on the back, in round masses. Indusium bladder-shaped, attached under the sori at the part farthest from, and opposite to, the points of the pinnule ; eventually retorted, or thrown off entirely. CISTOPTERIS. Sori on the back, in round masses. Indusium attached under them, and splitting above into hair-like divisions or fine threads. WOODSIA. 14 INDEX TO THE GENEEA. Son oval on the inner surface of the Indusium. Indusium a projected continuation of the bleached recurved margin of the pinnule itself. ADIANTUM. Sori on the back, in oblique lines. Indusium attached on the outer side. ASPLENIUM. Sori on the back, in twin oblique lines. Indusia attached on the outer side, and lapping the one over the other on the inner. SCOLOPENDBIUM. Sori on the back, in two longitudinal lines, near the centre. Indusia attached on the outer aide, and parted on the inner by the midrib. BLECHNUM. Sori on the back, forming a continuous line along the margin. Indusium attached to the slightly recurved edge of the pinnulet. PTEBIS. BRITISH FERNS. ADIANTUM. Sori oval on the inner surface of the Indusium. Indusium a projected continuation of the bleached recurved margin of the pinnule itself. ADIANTUM CAPILLUS VENERIS. Fig. 25. (True Maiden Hair.} From 4 to 12 inches. Root tufted. Growing in masses, but the fronds separating and arching asunder. A perfect miniature tree. A thin, thread-like, pur- plish, stem, with yet finer, same coloured, alternate, pinnae, bearing alternate, smooth, but not polished, stalked, fan-shaped, deli- cate, pinnules, either simply indented and notched in the barren, or turned over and prolonged into an indusium from their margin in the fertile, ones. Unique in its appearance and texture, and altogether unlike the tribe in general. Sori arranged in oval spots, longest across the Indusium? but soon uniting into a line. May. Some- times much earlier, December or January. 16 ASPIDIUM. Evergreen. Not common. Moist caves and rocks near the sea, in the milder parts of England and Ireland. Requires the shelter of glass, but succeeds fairly there- under. The warmer the room the better. Very graceful and ornamental. ASPIDIUM. Sori on the back, in round masses. Indusimn round like a shield, and fixed in the centre only, as in the family of Lonchitis; or appearing somewhat like a kidney, from having a deep connecting indentation from the centre to the extremity, as in the rest. Character feathering. Root tufted in all but Thelypteris. Round Indusium. ASPIDIUM ACULEATUM. (Soft Prickly Shield- Fern.} Fig. 1. From 9 to 15 inches. Growing in circular masses. Texture very thin and light. Dark green. Stem slight. Frond compact, narrow, feather-shaped. Pinnae running low on the stem, inclining to slant upwards, and, with the pinnules, closely set on, short, and markedly alter- nate. Pinnules very small, egg-shaped, equably tapering off to a beautiful fineness ASPIDIUM. 17 above, with a little obtuse elbow, termi- nating in a minute spine outside at their base, running level with the stem of the pinna; sloping down into a stalk-like junction with that stem, apex directed upwards ; the largest and nearest the main stem parallel with it, and leaving an inter- mediate line of light ; much and very deli- cately toothed throughout, with thin, short hair-like, bristles ; rounded altogether to the eye, and without sharpness or angu- larity. Sometimes, however, more acute, coarser in form, and approaching to Loba- tum. Sori very small, and chiefly on the higher pinnae. Under surface woolly. May. Indeciduous. Not common. Lancashire. Devonshire. Easy of cultivation. Very elegant and graceful. ANGULARE. (Angular Prickly Shield- Fern.} Fig. 14. From 2 to 3 feet. Growing in circular masses. Lightish green, but frequently bleached into a healthy yellow. Frond widish, drooping. Pinnae alternate, though sometimes found opposite, apart, and often falling back at their ends. Pin- nules finely and slenderly stalked, flat, oblong, broadish, rather thin and soft, or entirely so, repeatedly, deeply, and obtusely toothed, or even divided, throughout, and rounded upwards to a bluntish point. 2 18 ASPIDIUM. Bristles short and numerous, occasionally, however, very thickly and projectingly set. Elbow somewhat obtuse, distinct, and pro- minent, and in the rather larger superior pinnules next the main stem (which do not ordinarily reach those above) not uncom- monly cut down to the midrib. Base of the pinnule bulging down towards the stem of the pinna. Close, round, and compact, in general appearance. Sori near the centre ; the vein bearing them termi- nating at the last cluster. May. Indeci- duous. Common. Hardy. Easy of cul- tivation. Ornamental. LOBATUM. (Close-leaved Prickly Shield-Fern.} Fig. 4. From 1 to 2 feet. Growing in circular masses. Leathery in substance. Dark green, though often be- coming lighter, and even yellowish, by exposure. Frond more or less fullest in the centre ; at first concave. Pinnse al- ternate, and rather curved upwards, close. Pinnules oblong, with a shorter or wider elbow at their base outside, sharply cut, and gradually narrowed to the apex ; which, with the elbow, terminates in a long acute spine ; connected with the stem of the pinna either by a long stalk, or mere attenuation of the pinnule itself: or, pin- nulets rugged, without elbow, being slightly ASPIDIUM. 19 protuberant at that part, and proportion- ably scooped out opposite, broad oval, the roundness of the apex interrupted by a sudden point, almost mainly formed by the spine itself : in both patterns large, thick, stout, convex, toothed, bristled, and the pinnule next the main stem much the largest, so as to meet and often partially underlie the pinna above it. Pinnules, pinnulets, and spine of the elbow looking midway between the end of the pinna and of the frond. Variable. Bristles some- times very frequent, together, and promi- nent ; or pinnules shorter and more angular ; or partly compounded of either pattern. Sori towards the centre, on the upper portion of the frond. May. Inde- ciduous. Common. Hardy. Easy of culti- vation. Ornamental. The young plants often nearly resemble Lonchitis. LONCHITIS. (Holly, or Rough Alpine, Shield-Fern.} Fig. 3. The simplest form of the genus. From 6 to 16 inches. Growing in masses, and inclining down- wards. A main stem, with simple, prickly, undivided, more or less bowed, particularly on the inferior side, in the lower «emi- diamond-shaped, rather alternate, crowded, turned, pinnae, partly underlying their higher neighbour, having a sharp elbow 20 ASPIDIUM. above next the stem, but at a slight dis- tance from it. Frond narrow, pretty equable, contracted most below, and bear- ing to the bottom. Sori in two single rows about midway between the margin and centre, on the upper portion of the frond. Very rigid. May. Indeciduous. Rare. Rocks in the North, Scotland, and Wales. Difficult of cultivation, except in a frame. Bold and striking in its outline, but of no particular beauty. These would seem to belong to the same family : the first three occasionally, in appearance, running more or less the one into the other, so that each may be found here and there partaking of some of the characteristics of its neighbour, while yet preserving its own individuality ; and the last being the parent stock, as it were, from which they are expanded. As regards the vexata qucestio of Aculeatum, it will be seen that I have ventured to confine the name to the somewhat marked and rarer form first given ; instead of extending it, as is more usual, to No. 1, or even both of Lobatum. Kidney-shaped Indusium. CRISTATUM. (Crested Shield-Fern.} Tig. 7. From 1 to 2 feet. Growing in tufts. Pale green. Frond erect, rigid, oblong, narrow. Pinna? far apart, and ASPIDIUM. 21 mainly alternate. Stem thick, but slightly- scaly, and having no pinnse for about one- third below. Pinnulets broad, stout, and indented, oblong-rounded, and spinous. When compared with Filix Mas, like the short, fat, robust, Dutch, figure contrasted with the British. Sori running higher on the pinnulet. May. Deciduous. Rare. Only on a few boggy heaths. Likes turfy peat soil and moisture. In the young plants it might often be mistaken for Spinulosum, only more equable in the frond, blunter in the pinnulets, and less bristly. DILATATUM. (Broad Prickly -toothed Shield-Fern.} Fig. 10. From 1 to 5 feet. Growing circularly. Dark green, or healthy sappy yellow. Frond verging towards tri- angular; sometimes few from one root; arching asunder. Stem bare of pinnse at the bottom. Pinnae apart, and mainly opposite. Pinnules hardly stalked, con- vex, or extremely so, and folding back, apart, oblong, much divided and toothed, spinous, roundish at the apex ; the inferior larger than the superior ; often, especially those on the former side of the lower pinnae becoming secondary pinnse them- selves. In one form, if, as the name would seem to imply, that be not the original 22 ASPIDIT7M. typical one, expanded, flattish, or almost recurved, and overlapping. Indusium fre- quently shrivelling away. Scales on the stem simple, pointed, light brown, with a darker centre. Sori abundant and dis- tinct, in a row on each side of the midrib, and sometimes appearing on the yet unde- veloped head. April. Deciduous, but re- maining till late in the season. Common in moist woods. Easy of cultivation, and peculiarly graceful and ornamental. FILIX MAS. (Male Shield-Fern.) Fig. 8. From 2 to 4 feet. Growing in circular masses. Dull green. Pinnae alter- nate, and often low down. Frond wide and spreading, but rather contracting below. Stem very scaly at the bottom. Pinnulets oblong, rounded, with their edges slightly notched, and their surface somewhat fur- rowed. Sori towards the centre, on the upper half of the frond and the lower half of the pinnulets. Rather variable in form. April. Deciduous. Easy of cultivation, and hardy. One of the commonest, and, with a larger bolder sort having its pin- nulets more deeply and generally incised all round, to be met with almost every where. From its feathery character and free growth, to be strongly recommended. ASPIDIUM. 23 LOBATUM, p. 18 "1 ashavingtheindu- LOXCHITIS, p. 19 J slum round, &c. OREOPTERIS. (Mountain or Heath Shield-Fern,} Fig. 5. From 2 to 3 feet. Growing in roundish masses. Very brittle. Delicate green. Pinnae generally opposite, nearly to the bottom, and much narrowed there, more so than towards the apex. Pinnulets smooth, simple, rounded, undi- vided, and unnotched; at first turned backward in the margin, so that the head before evolved seems like a knot of twisted points, afterwards becoming only rather convex throughout, oblong, and bluntly rounded. On their under surface are small, yellow, shining, glands, emitting (like those of the Polypodium Calcareum) a pleasant flavour when drawn through the hand. Drooping. Somewhat corresponding with Thelypteris, as if that were the female, and this the male, plant; more robust; thicker and larger in its pinnulets. In- jured by the wind. To a hasty eye, like the preceding, but detected by the colour, plain edge of pinnulet, &c. &c. Sori marginal. End of May. Early deciduous. Not uncommon on mountainous heaths. Not hardy. Difficult of cultivation. Pre- fers a sheltered, dry, situation. Best trans- planted young and small, and when but 24 ASPIDIUM. slightly embedded in the soil, as on sloping banks. Of no particular interest, nor, excepting collocation of son, beauty. RECUIIVUM. (Triangular Prickly- toothed Shield-Fern.} Fig. 16. From 12 to 18 inches. Growing in circular masses. Dark green. Frond oblong-triangular. Pinnae commencing about half way up, mainly opposite, and concave. Pinnules thin, small, and rather narrow, deeply and frequently divided, and toothed; the in- ferior the greatest; the larger slightly stalked, and sometimes running into secondary pinnae ; the lesser mere pinnu- lets ; a trifle curved forwards in their margins, so as to present a prickly-looking surface, like that of the holly, when viewed slantingly. Scales on the stem split at the top, and of a pale uniform brown. Sori full-sized in proportion, numerous, in a double row. End of May. Indeciduous. Succeeds fairly. Not common. Devon- shire. Scotland. Ireland. Very pretty and compact. RIGIDUM. (Rigid Shield-Fern.} Fig. 6. From 1 to 2 feet. Growing in masses. Dull yellowish green. Rather thick in texture. Frond somewhat upright, nar- row, and acutely tapering to its apex. Pinnae mostly alternate. Pinnulets nearly ASPIDIUM. 25 equable, and the inferior generally corre- sponding with the superior ; oblong, round- ended, not spinous, yet being a perfect succession of fine incisions, points, and teeth. Sori rather large, in rows towards the centre, chiefly on the upper half of the frond, and eventually uniting. May. Deciduous. Rare. Confined to a few mountains in the North. Succeeds fairly. Graceful and pretty. SPINULOSTJM. (Lesser Prickly -toothed Shield-Fern.} Fig. 15. From 8 to 14 inches. Growing in masses and together; mode- rately erect, and firm. Dry greenish yellow. PinnsB variable, more generally opposite. Pinnules, or rather chiefly pin- nulets, lightly, though very frequently and regularly, toothed. Spinous. Sometimes confounded with Dilatatum, especially when dried ;* but when alive, a less succu- lent-looking plant, and, besides the diflfer- * Useful as an Herbarium is in preserving the outlines of each plant, its style, tint, character, appearance, air, texture, relief, and so forth, when fresh and in vegetation, must, of course, be lost in the sameness of one now uniform arid body : — "It is, And yet it is not, no more than the shadow, Upon the hard, cold, flat, and polished, mirror, Is the warm, graceful, rounded, living, substance Which it presents in form and lineament." SIB WALTEB SCOTT. 26 ASPIDITJM. ences above of size, growth, and colour, the frond is more equable, the pinnulets more running to a point, less convex, thin- ner, more bristled, more angular, not smooth on their surface, but furrowed and ridged with lines of the midrib, &c. ; not soft, but rigid, and not so much separating into secondary pinnse. Scales on the stem simple, obtuse, of a yellowish uni- form brown. May. Deciduous. Common. Easy of cultivation, though not taking quite so freely as Dilatatum. Elegant. A larger form is found, rising to 3 feet. Dark green. Flatter, bigger, broader, coarser, and less delicately toothed and scored. THELYPTERIS. (Marsh Shield-Fern.} Fig. 2. From 6 to 16 inches. Yellowish green. The root disposed to creep to the surface in dry situations. Fronds springing up here and there in masses therefrom; rather erect, though fragile, slight, and shrivelling together on being gathered; when under trees, stooping forward to the light. Pinnae mostly alternate. Pinnulets simple, oblong, smooth on the sides, very thin, inclining to pointed, and having a sharp angular appearance, as if cut, from being a trifle rolled backward on the edge. The inferior next the main stem projecting in front, so as to form a raised line all ASPLENIUM. £1 down. The young partially-developed heads looking like a bundle of soft curled ends. The barren fronds widest and shortest. The fertile come out later, and then only when long transplanted. Sori towards the margin, and brought seem- ingly yet nearer to it by the fertile pin- nulets being most turned over. May. Deciduous. A marsh plant, not uncom- mon in boggy places. Rather difficult to remove, on account of its fibrous and straggling root, but doing well if duly supplied with moisture. Best trans- planted small. ASPLENIUM. Sori on the back, in oblique lines. Indusium attached on the outer side. Root tufted in all. ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM NIGBUM. (Black Spleen- ivort.} Fig. 11. From 3 to 6 inches, when found on walls, from thence to 20 when on shady hedge-banks. Growing in rather circular masses. Frond oblong-triangular. Pinnae from about half-way up, alternate, oblong-triangular, the lower inclining to turn horizontally, and slant upwards. Pin- nules thick, leathery, shining, pointedly- toothed, broad-stalked, irregularly wedge- shaped, and tapering again towards their 28 ASPLENIUM. apex, the larger sometimes running into secondary pinnae. When on exposed walls more rigid and pointed, and yellowish in- stead of dark green, and the roots more fibrous and extended. Does best when taken from banks; if from the former, losing its difference under cultivation. Sori abundant, linear at first, afterwards more oval, uniting, and swelling over the sides of the pinnules. May. Evergreen. Common. Rather variable in form. Very hardy and ornamental. ALTERNIFOLITJM. (Alternate-leaved Spleen-wort.} Fig. 35. From 2 to 5 inches. Growing in masses. A plain stem, throwing out from about half-way up several narrow, distant, alternate, roundly-notched, oblong, thin - stalked, pinnae, having two or three distinct lines of sori crowded on their under surface, which ultimately meet in the centre ; the lower pinnae being divided again into two or more similar alternate pinnules. May. Indeciduous. Very rare. Rocks in the North. Requires a glass. Of no parti- cular interest. FILIX FCEMINA. (Lady Fern.) Fig. 23. From 1 to 3 feet. Growing in masses. In its size and general character appearing rather to belong to the genus ASPLENIUM. 29 Aspidium, to which it has sometimes been referred. The shape of the sori also would almost rank it intermediately, they being, more or less according to age, variations, &c. like an elongated and rather straight- ened kidney, and therefore a mixture of the forms of both genera. Very compound. Fronds light, feathery, succulent, generally drooping, and while young and tender not unfrequently soon shrivelling up after being gathered. Pinnse alternate, com- mencing near the bottom, and much ab- breviated there. Pinnules very short- stalked, sometimes hardly to be called so, and verging on mere pinnulets, numerous, long, narrow, deeply and repeatedly divided and toothed; in some a trifle more ex- panded and closer together ; in others apart and contracted ; but in all thin and slender. Sori appearing on the yet curled- up head, and covering the back of the pin- nule eventually so abundantly, that it is supposed that in twenty years a single plant might, in its increase, clothe the whole surface of the earth. End of May. Deciduous, and early cut down by the frosts of autumn. Very changeable in form, tint of colour, flexibility, &c. besides distinct and rarer varieties, tasselled, forked, and so forth. Common. Easy of 30 ASPLENIUM. cultivation. Most graceful, elegant, and free growing. FONTANUM. (Smooth Rock Spleen- wort.) Fig. 17. From 2 to 5 inches. Growing in masses. Dullish green. Frond rigid, erect, narrow, and tapering most downwards. Stem with a rather lighter border along both sides. First rudiments of pinnae beginning near the bottom. Pinnae alternate, short, and very blunt. Pinnules thick in texture, much widening upwards, cut into bristled angles at their apex, and sloping off at the base into a stalk -like junction with the pinna. Sori in the centre, and eventually uniting. May. Evergreen. Rare, if yet existing in any natural locality. Perhaps on rocks or walls in the North. Succeeds weD, but requires protection. A pretty diminutive plant. LANCEOLATUM. (Lanceolate Spleen- wort.) Fig. 9. From 4 to 12 inches. Growing in masses. Frond widest in the centre, and contracting both ways. Pinnae alternate, shortish, bluntly- tapering, and from about a third upward. Pinnules simple, alternate, broadly wedge-shaped, stalked, and toothed. Sori somewhat to- wards the margin, inclining to round, eventually uniting, but not so as quite to ASPLENIUM. 31 cover the whole pinnule. May. Evergreen. Not common. Chiefly on rocks by the sea-side in South and West. Difficult of cultivation, requiring a sheltered, moist, but not damp, warm, position and atmo- sphere. Ornamental. MARINUM. (Sea Spleenwort.} Fig. 12. Usually from 6 to 12 inches, though occa- sionally taller. Growing in masses. A stem bearing on either side, from about one-third upwards, simple, short-stalked, leathery, shining, darkish green, somewhat oblong-egg-shaped, undivided, mostly alter- nate, pinnee, having a kind of elbow above next the stem, and notched throughout except at the base, about an inch long in the middle of the frond. Son never uniting. June. Evergreen. Not uncom- mon on the sea-coast. Removed with difficulty and hazard, from the adherency of its roots to the rocks. Requires a glass, but then succeeds fairly. PALMATUM. (Mule Fern.} Fig. 40. From 6 to 12 inches. A simple, undivided, shoot or frond, of the appearance and tex- ture of the Scolopendrium, only thinner in substance, heart-shaped below, but the indentations higher, with lateral projec- tions on the lower half of each side, either rounded or triangular; oblong-triangular 32 ASPLENIUM. above; and bound by a slight, raised, bleached, border all round the frond. Sori numerous, either in single oblique lines between the midrib and edge of both the centre and the projected sides, indusia attached sometimes outwardly and some- times inwardly ; or in double, indusium attached inwardly, and opening back to back. It can hardly, therefore, be ranked as a true Asplenium, and yet still less as a Scolopendrium, though assigned to the former genus. Not yet recognised by any authority as a native. July. Deciduous. Found in Essex. Lancashire. Ireland. Common in Portugal and Madeira, &c. RUTA MURARIA. (WdllRue.} Fig. 30. From 1 to 5 inches. Growing in tufts, and embedded in the crevices and joints of walls. A slender stalk sending out, from about half-way up, little alternate pinnae (occasionally running into secondary ones also), having pinnules very variable in form, sometimes long-stalked, toothed, and simply wedge-shaped, or contracting also to a roundish point above ; or almost diamond ; or cut off abruptly, as it were, at the top, and yet toothed there ; or the pinnse themselves simple, round, broad, oval, or scalloped, and either smooth or jagged on their edges. Sori ultimately ASPLENTUM. 66 joining over the whole pinnule. May. Indeciduous. Common. Not very easy of cultivation ; fails frequently from the roots being injured in removal, and from change of soil; and shrivels under heat and sunshine. A pretty little thing, but of no especial beauty. SEPTENTRIONALE. (Forked Spleen- wort.) Fig. 19. From 1 to 4 inches. Growing in masses. A grass-like spike, dull green, except at the base where pur- plish, divided near the top into two or three sharp -pointed, alternate, thicker, toothed, forks ; or in the smaller fronds merely toothed itself; containing on the back two or more separate lines of sori, which eventually, throwing off their indusia, occupy the whole space. May. Indeci- duous. Rare. Rocks in the North. Suc- ceeds fairly. Safest under glass. Of little comparative interest. TRICHOMANES. (Common Maiden- hair.} Fig. 32. From 3 to 10 inches. Growing in circular masses. A shining, smooth, purplish, stem, bearing on each side, almost from the bottom, little, round, or oval, dark dull green, simple, usually opposite, rather horizontally turned, pinnae, slightly more or less uneven on their edges. April. Indeciduous. Sori ulti- 3 34 BLECHNUM. mately uniting over the whole. Common. Shrivels under heat and sunshine, and fails otherwise occasionally when taken from walls. From hedgerows more suc- cessful, and larger. Ornamental, but not peculiarly striking or curious. VIRIDE. (Green-stalked Spleenwort.) Fig. 34. From 2 to 8 inches. Growing in circular masses. Resembling the pre- ceding, except that the stem is greener, the pinnae lighter in colour, alternate, regu- larly indented, somewhat wedge-shaped, and narrowed a trifle to both ends. Some- times the fronds are forked above. Sori, when fullest and united, not quite extended to the margin. May. Sometimes earlier. Evergreen. Hare. Northern rocks. Not easy of removal, from the tenacity of its roots. Succeeds fairly. Safest under glass. BLECHNUM. Sori on the back, in two longitudinal lines near the centre. Indusia attached on the outer side, and parted on the inner by the midrib. BLECHNUM BOREALE. (Northern Hard Fern.} Fig. 26. Barren fronds from 9 to 12 inches : fertile from 12 to 20. Root tufted. BLECHNUM. 35 Growing in masses. A long, leathery, frond, tapering at both ends, cut on each side into very narrow, simple, undivided, smooth-edged, convex, obtuse, alternate, pinnae, or sometimes quasi -pinnae, a trifle curved upwards, and shortening towards the bottom, till they become mere rudi- mental projections, all appearing like a mere blunt half-diamond till drawn out by growth. The fertile fronds fewer, erect, rigid, and nearer the centre of the plant, their decided pinnae not beginning till much higher up the stem, being consi- derably narrower and further apart. Sori one line on each side of the midrib along the whole pinna. Indusia fixed outwardly, and opening face to face inwardly. Com- mon in marshy, boggy, situations, as well as in company with A. Oreopteris on dry heaths. End of May. Deciduous. Slew of fructification, and not otherwise satis- factory in cultivation. Best removed large, and in bearing. Curious and rather striking in the fertile fronds. Confounded by some writers with the foreign genus Lomaria, but distinguished from it by the position of its indusium. 36 BOTRYCHIUM. BOTRYCHIUM., Sori naked, on a fertile, compoundly-branched , spike, rising above a single, barren, leafy, pinna (or frond, see Glossary). No in- dusium. BOTRYCHIUM LUNARIA. (Common Moonwort.} Fig. 28. Fertile spike from 3 to 6 inches : single barren pinna shorter. Root of thick, smooth, yellow, fibres. Growing solitarily. A very singular-looking plant, stem hol- low and succulent, throwing off, at about a third upward, a single barren, hori- zontally-turned, pinna, having on each side very peculiar stalked pinnules (some- what resembling the sliding wooden hand- screens hawked about in the streets, rather more than half unfurled), occasionally deeply notched throughout to their base. The stem itself, continuing upward, has, near the top, other very short, alternate, compound, offshoots, on which, or on the spike itself, are arranged the thecse in regular lines. Variations in both the fertile and barren portions have been found. End of April. Early deciduous. Not uncommon on open heaths and pas- tures, where the soil is peaty, but not very wet. Difficult of cultivation. Should be CISTOPTERIS. 37 kept moderately dry, cool at the root, with fresh air, in rich vegetable soil, and be transplanted in the spring, while yet dor- mant. Curious, but of no particular inte- rest or beauty. This and Ophioglossum alone grow up straight, and not curled inward crosier-fashion. The Botrychium is that which was formerly supposed to have magical powers, if duly gathered by moonlight. CISTOPTERIS. Sori on the back, in round masses. Indusium bladder-shaped, attached under the sori at the part furthest from, and opposite to, the points of the pinnule ; eventually retorted, or cast off entirely. CISTOPTERIS FRAGILIS. (Brittle Bladder Fern.} Fig. 21. From 5 to 10 inches. Root tufted. Growing in masses. A very lovely little tender plant, extremely deli- cate, yet hardy, coming out early, going off late, and throwing out successions of fronds continually. Light green. Frond tapering acutely to a fine point above, and contracting downwards also. Pinnse com- mencing near the bottom, apart, opposite, or alternate, in some forms rather horizon- 08 CISTOPTERIS. tally turned. Pinnules soft, thin, oval, with a slight fulness at the base outside, asunder, frequently incised and toothed. Sori scattered, but towards the edge, nume- rous, appearing on the undeveloped head, and at length uniting. April. Deciduous. Common in hedges, banks, and walls. Very changeable in shape. Easy of culti- vation, and takes most freely. Very orna- mental. It assumes sometimes a larger and more oblong frond, pinnae and pin- nules further distant, the latter morr deeply divided and sharper pointed, sori less prominent, and is then called Angus- tata ; or a smaller, pinnules blunter, rounder, and less indented, sori less in- clined to run together, and is then Den- tata. The only drawback to this elegant little thing is, that under treatment out of doors it often becomes subject to a red mildew. Distinct varieties are ALPINA. (Alpine Bladder Fern.) Usually from 2 to 6 inches, but occasionally higher. Root tufted. Growing in masses. More compound, rounder, and less pointed, in the pinnules; pinna3 shorter, blunter, and somewhat inclining to alternate; in both broader and closer. Sori towards the CRYPTOGRAMMA. 39 margin. Rare. Probably towards the North. Tender and pretty. DICKIEANA. From 4 to 6 inches. The simplest of the family. Pinnse oppo- site, short, obtusely-tapering; pimmlets closer together, broad, rounder, and merely jagged. Both overlapping their neighbour. Sori marginal. Found by Dr. Dickie, in a sea- cave near Aberdeen. MONTANA. (Mountain Bladder Fern.} From 4 to 8 inches. Root creeping. Growing in masses. Frond triangular. Pinnse on the upper third only of the stem, and mainly alternate ; the lowest being much the largest, and having secondary ones on their inferior side ; that next the stem the greatest, and at some distance from it, and becoming nearer sized with that above on each primary pinna upwards gradually. Texture very thin and frail. Sori scattered. Extremely rare. Only in a few places in Scotland. Very elegant. CRYPTOGRAMMA. Sori circular beneath the recurved margin of the pinnule. No Indusium. CRYPTOGRAMMA CRTSPA. (Rock-brake or Parsley Fern] Fig. 24. Fertile fronds from 3 to 40 GRAMM1TIS. 8 inches. Barren more numerous and rather shorter. Root tufted. Growing in masses. Very delicate and compound. Barren frond not unlike much divided and crisped parsley. Pinnae alternate ; on the larger, secondary ones alternate also. Pin- nules small, thin, stalked, indented, and somewhat wedge-shaped ; opposite or alter- nate. Fertile narrower. Pinnse more opposite, secondary and pinnules mark- edly alternate; pinnules stalked, oblong- oval. Sori distinct, though soon uniting into a line, and partially concealed by the reflexed margins of the pinnule, which almost meet behind. May. Early deci- duous. Rocks, stones, and walls, in the mountainous districts of the North. Easy of cultivation. Tender, pretty, and grace- ful. GRAMMITIS. Sori on the back, in lines : back scaly. No Indusium. GRAMMITIS CETERACH. (Scaly Grammitis.} Fig. 37. From 3 to 6 inches. Root tufted. Growing in circular masses. A low, broadish, plant, composed of mere long, simple, leathery, shoots, or fronds, incised HYMENOPHYLLUM. 41 and rounded into deep-cut, oblong, alter- nate, scallops on each side, fringed at first with white on their edges ; the under sur- face whitish also, intermixed with brown, but shortly becoming coloured like rusty iron ; clothed with chaffy scales concealing the sori. End of April. Evergreen. Com- mon on walls, especially in the West. Suc- ceeds well. Likes watering, but shrivels under excessive heat, sunshine, and frost. HYMENOPHYLLUM. Sori contained in little two-valved vessels, springing from the pinnae, and adjoining the stem. No Indusium. HYMENOPHYLLUM TUNBRIDGENSE. (Tunbridge Filmy Fern.} Fig. 38. From 1 to 3 inches. Hoot creeping, with minute, twisted, and entangled, fibres. Growing up therefrom irregularly, but not far asunder. Dark green. Stem very slight and hair-like ; and from the pinnae upwards bordered by a skinny, clouded, margin. The tiny mostly alternate pinnae are forked into separate, simple, semi-transparent, networked, undi- vided, prickly, lines, occasionally, however, split at their apex, and nearly resembling in appearance of texture some kinds of sea- 12 HYMENOPHYLLUM. weed. The fibres of the root form them- selves into a thick matted mass with the mosses, and so forth, among which they live. The seed-cup, where present, is in the room of the fork of the pinna that is next the stem, and is composed of two roundish valves, folding the one over the other, and is notched at the top, and not stalked. June. Evergreen. Rather un- common. Devonshire. The Lakes, Wales, and elsewhere. On the surface of damp rocks, and hanging down. Difficult of cul- tivation, and unsatisfactory. It should be, with its aggregation of soil, root, &c. planted on porous stone, bedded with sand, kept under glass in a shady situation, and frequently watered. Elegant and delicate. WILSONI. (Northern, or Wilson's Filmy Fern.) Fig. 33. From 1 to 3 inches. Like the preceding, but more rigid, curved above, pinnae narrower, less full, and inclining downwards ; stem faintly and partially bordered. When in bearing, the cups turn in one direction, and the pinnae in the other. The cups or seed- vessels are larger, valves more rounded, stalked, with smooth lips above, somewhat like the end of a duck's bill, instead of being cut off, and notched. Similar situa- tions and localities. June. Evergreen. OPHIOGLOSSUM. 43 Treatment as before. The former species may be fancifully resembled to the little bough of a young Scotch fir, with its fresh shoots; the latter to that of the spruce. This genus, with that of Tricho- manes, wishing to be always so much damper than the rest, it were advisable to place them in a case by themselves. OPHIOGLOSSUM. Sori naked, on a fertile simple spike. No Indusium. OPHIOGLOSSUM VULGATUM. (Common Adder's Tongue.} Fig. 27. From 3 to 9 inches. Root of a few, short, stout, yellow, fibres, running horizontally. Growing up soli- tarily. A round, hollow, succulent, stem, bearing, on the upper part, a simple spike issuing from the sheath of a smooth, oblong-oval, tapering, concave, undivided, and unnotched, leafy, horizontally-turned, pinna (or frond, see Glossary) ; and em- bedding on either side, at top, a single row of yellow thecse ; the wj±ete; therefore, somewhat in appearance of the character of the Arum, or Lord and Lady. Barren pinna sometimes found split at top, or two spikes instead of, as usual, only one. \ 14 OSMUNDA, Likethe Botrychium, springing up straight, and not curled inwards. May. Early deciduous. Not uncommon in moist pas- tures and meadows. Tolerably easy of cultivation. Of no comparative interest. OSMUNDA. Sori naked, on a fertile, compoundly-branched, spike, surmounting a succession of barren, leafy, pinnae. No Indusium. OSMUNDA REGALIS. (Flowering Fern.} Fig. 29. From 2 to 3 feet in dry, from 8 to 10 in damp, sheltered, situations. Root tufted. Stem cane-like, very tough, and wiry. Fronds springing up rather under one another. Pinna3 far apart, and mainly opposite. Pinnules simple, undivided, smooth, very short-stalked, narrow, ob- long, slightly tapering to their apex, with more or less of a protuberance at the base ; originally very tender, and of a reddish colour, changing afterwards to a dull green, and a trifle jagged throughout. Fertile branched spike, where existing, above the leafy pinnae (wliich occasionally even them- selves have a sorus or two interspersed here or there), and beautifully embraced by them while yet undeveloped. Thefructi- POLYPODIUM. 45 fication is composed of bunches of clus- tered thecse, green when young, and ripening into brown. April. Deciduous. Common in marshes and damp situations. Easy of cultivation. Hardy. Best trans- planted large. Though wanting in the waving varied tracery of outline in the pinnule, which favourably distinguishes so many of the tribe, yet justly admired for the contrast it affords by its fine bold appearance. POLYPODIUM. Sori on the back, in round masses, perfectly naked. No Indusium. Root creeping in all. POLYPODIUM ALPESTRE. (Alpine Polypody.} Fig. 13. From 12 to 18 inches. Growing in masses. Frond narrow and tapering to both ends. Pinnae opposite below, more alternate above. Pinnules very thin and delicate, longish, succulent, hardly-stalked, toothed, and somewhat roundly divided, throughout. Sori towards the top of the frond, forming two rows along the pinnule, one little cluster being in each division of it. End of May. Deciduous. Only yet found in one or two places in the High- 46 POLYPODIUM. lands of Scotland. Not very easy of cultiva- tion, but growing plentifully where it does take. A peculiarly elegant and graceful plant (totally unlike any other of the genus), overlooked in this country till within the last very few years, in conse- quence of its similarity to Asplenium Filix Foemina. Var. Flexile, more distinct-look- ing, pinnules more apart, narrower, less frequently, but more deeply, sharply, and widely, toothed. CALCAREUM. (Lime, or Rigid Three- branched Polypody.) Fig. 39. From 6 to 12 inches. Growing in masses. Dusky green. Frond stout, rigid, oblong-trian- gular, concave ; the stem running into three, as it were, at a bent angle and knot in the lowest pinnae, which are horizontally turned, and inclining upwards, the leader forming its continuation. Pinnae oppo- site, somewhat alternate above, and incom- plete. Pinnules (or, as getting higher and higher, simple pinnulets or mere scallops) oblong, furrowed, deeply notched through- out, and, in the larger, divided almost to the midrib; having on the back small, yellow, shining, glands, yielding, in the young fronds, a pleasant but short-lived perfume when drawn across the nose. In the first stage, it appears like three tiny POLYPODIUM. 47 balls ; and in the next, but while the pin- nules are yet rolled up, often resembles a single or double budded cross. Sori mar- ginal, white, afterwards black. April. Deciduous. In limestone districts. Suc- ceeds well. Very hardy, bearing drought and exposure, and throwing out fresh and fresh fronds continually. Ornamental. DIIYOPTERIS. (Oak or Tender Three- branched Polypody.} Fig. 43. From 4 to 10 inches. Growing in close masses. Something of the character of the pre- ceding in its threefold arrangement, but otherwise impossible to be mistaken for it. Light vivid green. Frond shorter, ob- tusely-triangular, drooping, convex. Stem slighter. Pinnae opposite, fewer, wider, shorter, and more abruptly tapering, in- complete above. Pinnules and pinnulets broader, smooth, and thinner in substance, and not glandulous nor scented. The whole a much more succulent and tender plant. Sori marginal. April. Deciduous. Chiefly in the North. Not so hardy, pre- ferring shade and moisture. Both are ornamental and singular in their full top springing from so slender a stem, as though they were diminutive trees. The drawback to the genus is, that the roots creep- 18 POLYPODIUM. ing horizontally along underground (Vulgare, however, rather on the surface), are not only somewhat more difficult of removal than when they are tufted, but throw out their fronds more arbitrarily, here and there, apart from the site originally chosen for them. They, however, hereby propagate more extensively, and are better protected from the weather. PHEGOPTERIS. (Mountain or Beech Polypody.) Fig. 41. From 6 to 14 inches. Pale green. Pinnae opposite, the lowest pair inclining downwards ; quasi-pinnae on the upper portion of the frond uniting together at their base, and connected with the stem by an increased breadth ol foliage. Pinnulets simple, oblong, rounded, thin, succulent, fringed with woolly hair, and slightly uneven on their edges. Sori marginal. May. Deciduous. Rocky, damp, sheltered, places, and stony woods, chiefly in the North. Prefers shade and moisture. VULGARE. (Common Polypody.) Fig. 42. From 6 to 16 inches. To be met with almost everywhere on trees and walls, hanging down in tresses, with plain, long, narrow, smooth, simple, alternate, quasi-pinnse, sometimes slightly waved on the edges, joined together at the base. Sori prominent, white, ripening into yel- low, in two series equi- distant from the PTERIS. 49 oentre and the margin. End of May. In- deciduous, Easy of cultivation. Rarer varieties exhibit the pinnae forked at top ; or notched all round ; or deeply incised into even or indented quasi-pimmlets. Of these, the last, Cambricum (barren and much later), is the most curious and worthy of notice, its fronds being somewhat of an oval form, and the pinna3 bulging out so much in their centres as to leave an oblong round of light all down near the stem. Its native locality is North Wales. PTERIS. Sori on the back, forming a continuous line along the margin. Indusium attached to the slightly-recurved edge of the pinnulet. PTERIS AQUILINA. (Common Brake, or Female Fern.} Fig. 18. Ordinarily from 2 to 3 feet, but rising occasionally as high as 7 or 8 feet. Root long and fibrous, creeping horizontally; very succulent; and deeply embedded below, throwing up its solitary fronds at intervals, which soon cover large patches of ground. A tall, erect, tree-like, stem, velvety at its base, very brittle at first, afterwards tough and wiry, with simple, lateral, protuberances at top, 4 50 PTERIS. which become more and more compound downwards, until at last running into ex- tended, stem-like, pinnae, with secondary ones on them, bearing long, narrow, smooth-edged, round-pointed, leathery, pin- nulets, turned over a little on their margins, themselves often with obtuse projections like the rudiments of a yet farther multi- plication of parts. Pinnae more or less opposite, and the under ones somewhat approaching to those of Polypodium Cal- careum, at a slightly bent angle ; quite horizontally turned. The lower end of the stalk, when cut across in any direction, presents the exact figure of an oak. Pin- nulets sometimes more recurved and sharper. Extremities, when young, brown, downy, and curled up. Often destroyed by the spring frosts. Sori along the bor- der of every sinuosity of the pinnulet, but seldom quite to its apex. Indusium fringed with hairs. May. Deciduous. Very common. Difficult to transplant, and afterwards preserve with success. It should be removed in large masses for the sake of the root, and when in a dormant state ; or little independent plants taken from a pasture or sloping bank, where there are no large ones, the smaller and younger the better, with much bole of earth, and reset SCOLOPENDRIUM. 51 where they are to grow, as soon as possible, for the next year ; care being had that the roots be never uncovered or touched. It becomes thinner and more delicate under cultivation. The grandest of the whole tribe, and that whose wondrous and hidden seed, if fortunately obtained, was to render its bearer invisible. SCOLOPENDRIUM. Sori on the back, in twin oblique lines. Indusia attached on the outer side, and lapping one over the other on the inner. SCOLOPENDRIUM VULGARE. (Common Hart's Tongue.} Fig. 31. From 6 to 18 inches. Root tufted. Growing in masses. A long, smooth, polished, dark green, simple, undi- vided, leathery, riband-like, shoot or frond, pointed at the top, heart-shaped at the base, and generally more or less crisping and undulating at the sides, on a shortish shaggy stem. Sori in twin lines, covered by what looks like a single indusium, but really is two, one continued in its whole length partially over the other, afterwards thrown asunder in opposite directions. Sori soon meeting, and seeming also like only one, though always, on the frond being 52 TRICHOMANES. bent back, separating again down the middle. In early stages of its growth, the folding over of the indusium can be clearly perceived through a lens. Along the centre pith of the stem internally are four black hairs. May. Evergreen. Common. Easy of cultivation. Rarer varieties are found, more waving on the edges, indented, forked at top, and so forth. Its bold and simple form well suited to contrast with the so different and compound aspect of the majority of the other genera. TRICHOMANES. Sori in entire cups, springing from the pinnae, dispersed. No Indusium. TRICHOMANES BREVISETUM. (Bristle Fern.} Fig. 36. From 6 to 12 inches. Root thick, fibrous, and creeping. Growing up at in- tervals therefrom rather solitarily. Stem with a thinner, filmy, border, like its shadow, on each side. Frond oblong-tri- angular. Pinna? alternate. Pinnules alter- nate, and incised into a succession of rounded forks or projections, smooth on the edges, and of semi-transparent net- work texture, resembling seaweed. Nerves very prominent. Oftentimes not so com- TRICHOMANES. 53 pletely developed. The young fronds, in their earlier stage and before at all evolved, frequently look dry, brown, and dead. Of the character of the genus Hymeno- phyllum, but more compound in form. The seed- cup, where existing, takes the place of a fork of the pinnule, whether near to or distant from the main stem, entire, and of a longish, equable, shape, like the letter U rather drawn out ; having a spike or hair projecting from its centre. The variety of Andrewsii is narrower, long- er, and more drooping. June. Evergreen. Only in Ireland. Creeping along the face of dripping rocks and caves. Pendulous. Easy and satisfactory in cultivation under glass, away from the light, with frequent watering, and not too deeply set in. Does not absolutely require, but thrives best with, pebbles at the roots and elsewhere, and in a warm room. A very lovely plant, and when wetted, one of the, if not the, most beautiful of the whole tribe. This, with the Hymenophyllums, desiring so much more moisture than the rest, and so little soil, it were desirable to give them a glass plate and cover to themselves. 54 WOODSIA. WOODSIA. Sori on the back, in round masses. Indusium attached under them, and splitting above into hair-like divisions or fine threads. WOODSIA HYPERBOREA. (Round-leaved Woodsia.) Fig. 20. From 2 to 4 inches. Root tufted. Growing in masses. Pinnse mainly alter- nate, short, blunt, wide, triangular ly- formed, and rounded into little scallops above and below, the superior being a trifle the largest. Under surface covered with hairy scales. Sori marginal, full-sized ; ultimately uniting. May. Deciduous. Difficult of cultivation. Very rare. Northern. Of no particular beauty or interest. ILVENSIS. (Oblong Woodsia.) Fig. 22. From 2 to 4 inches. Root tufted. Growing in masses. Pinnae slightly alternate, ob- long, rather tapering, deeply and widely incised, rounded at the incisions, and hairy. In the larger, running into dis- tinct pinnulets. Under surface clothed with reddish, chaffy, scales. Sori smaller, scattered, towards the margin, and even- tually uniting. May. Deciduous. Very rare. Northern. Difficult of cultivation, and of no peculiar interest. GLOSSARY. N.B. — In compound terms the first qualifies the second. ACUMINATE, tapering off to an acute point. ADNATE, joined to that on which it grows by its whole breadth of foliage ; connected. ^PRESSED, close to the stem. ALLOSORUS, the name used by some writers for the Cryptogramma. ALTERNATE, branches or leaves succeeding each other interchangeably, first on one and then on the other side. ANASTOMOSE, to run one into the other. ANNULATE, ferns that have a ring round their seed- cases. ANNULUS, the jointed ring to the seed-case. ANTHER, the vessel containing the fertilizing farina, affixed to the top of the stamen or barren filament of a flower or blossom. AHISTATE, terminating in a bristle ; awned. ARTICULATED, jointed. ASPLENIUM GERMANICUM, the name used by some writers for the Alternifolium . 56 GLOSSARY. ATHYRIUM, a separate genus assigned by some writer? to the Asplenium Filix Fcemina. ATTENUATING, growing gradually narrower ; tapering AURICLED, having a kind of projecting elbow. AWNED, terminating in a bristle ; aristate (avena) AXIL, the inner end of the base on the superior side : the angle formed by the branch and stem. AXILLARY, at the base on the superior and inner side. BIDENTATE, twice-toothed. BIFID, cleft in two. BIPINNATE, having branches themselves pinnate, i. e., bearing on them lateral offshoots cut quite down to the slem. BI-TRI, twice or thrice. BIECHNUM SPICANT, the name used by some writers for the Boreale. CALICIFORM, like the calyx or cup of a flower CAPILLARY, fine thread- or hair-like. CAUDEX, the part under or on the ground, from which the frond springs ; popularly the root; to which the fibres or actual roots are attached, CELLULAR, consisting of little cells or cavities. CETERACH OFFICINARUM, the name used by song- writers for the Grammitis. CILIATED, fringed with hair. CIRCINATE, coiled inwards, like a watch-spring CLAVATE, club-shaped, thinner at the base, and thicker upwards. COMPOUND, complex ; multifidous ; composed of many parts or divisions. GLOSSARY. 57 COMPRESSED, a cylinder, more or less flattened in its roundness. CONCOLOROUS, of one uniform colour. CONFLUENT, meeting; running together ; uniting. CONNATE, joined at the base. CONNECTED, formed on the stem itself, as the base of its entire width ; adnate. CONVOLUTED, rolled together; curled inwards. CORDATE, heart-shaped. CORIACEOUS, leathery. COTYLEDONS, the perishable side-lobes of the seed, which furnish nourishment to the embryo plant. CRENATE, "I > notched, indented. CRENULATE, J CRENATURES, notches ; indentations. CROWN, the rounded top of the root projecting above the ground. CRYPTOGAMOUS, whose principle of fecundation is not apparent. CUCULLATE, shaped like a hood, cowl, or bladder. CUNEATE, wedge-shaped, widening upwards. CYLINDRICAL, formed like a round tube. DECIDUOUS, losing its leaves in the winter. DECOMPOUND, divided yet further beyond tripinnate. DECURRENT, tapering off, without any distinct leaf- stalk, into junction with, and thickening, the stem by running down it. DEFLEXED, bending or curving downwards. DEHISCING, bursting open. 58 GLOSSARY. DELTOID, trowel- or triangular-spear-shaped. DENTATE, toothed. DEPAUPERATED, lessened ; contracted; impoverished. DIAPHANOUS, transparent. DICHOTOMOUSLY, forkedly, into two branches. DIGITATE, like the human fingers. DISTICHOUS, two-rowed or ranked. DORSAL, on the back. DORSIFEROUS, bearing seed on the back. EVERGREEN, retaining its leaves during the winter, whether changed in colour or not (confined to the latter sense herein). EXANNULATE, ferns not having a ring round their seed-cases. EXSERTED, projected beyond the margin of its conti- nent, or sheath. FALCATE, shaped like a reaping-hook. FILIFORM, thread-shaped. FLABELLIFORM, fan-shaped. FLEXUOUS, winding ; crooked ; zigzag. FROND, the main stem with its branches, leaves, &c. ; critically, the leafy portion only. FRUCTIFICATION, "[the seed, seed-vessels, and their FRUIT, J appendages. FURCATE, forked. GIBBOUS, bulged out. GLABROUS, bald ; smooth. GLAUCOUS GREEN, hoary grey green, like the back of a cabbage-leaf. GRUMOUS, thick ; clotted GLOSSARY. 59 GYRATE, curled up. HABITAT, the native home of a plant, where it grows indigenously. HERBACEOUS, succulent ; juicy. HYBRID, a mixed plant composed of two species. HYBRIDIZATION, the commingling or running of plants of different species one with the other. HYMENOPHYLLUM UNILATERALE, another name for the Wilsoni. IMBRICATED, laid one under the other, like tiles. IMMERSED, sunk within the margin of its continent or sheath. INDKCIDUOUS, retaining its leaves during the winter, whether changed in their colour or not (con- fined to the former sense herein). INDUSIUM, the cover over the mass of seed-cases. INVOLUCRE, used by some writers for Indusium; or specially as regards the Woodsia, and the cups of the Hymenophyllum and Trichomanes. LACINIATED, jagged. LANCEOLATE, narrow-oblong-triangular above, and contracting again below ; lance-shaped. LASTREA, the name used by some writers for that portion of the genus Aspidium which has a kidney-shaped Indusium. FffiNiSECii, the Aspidium Eecurvum. LATERAL, springing from the side of the root, stem, &c. LATO, in composition, broadly ; widely ; for example, LANCEOLATE, fuller in the centre, and there- fore tapering off more obtusely. 60 GLOSSARY. LIGULATE, shaped like the blade of a paper-cutter ; linear. LINEAR, resembling the broad flat portion of a dinner- knife. LOBED, divided more or less deeply down into scallops, or parts rounded at their edges. LOBE, scalloped portion of the leaf between its divi- sions ; or leaf itself, or branch, when not cut down quite to the stem ; sometimes used for perfect leaf. LOAM, fat, unctuous, earth ; marl. LUXATE, crescent-shaped. MEMBRANEOUS, -> semi-transparent, and of the tex- MEMBRANOUS, L ture of skin, or very thin MEMBRANACEOUsJ parchment (membrana). MIDRIB, the main ridge or fibre running down the centre of the whole leaf. MONOPHYLLOUS, single-leaved ; undivided ; entire. MONSTER, an anomalous variety. MUCRONATE, ending abruptly in a sharp point. OBOVATE, egg-shaped, the small end downwards. OBSOLETE, contracted ; indistinct ; imperfect. OPPOSITE, springing from the same level on both sides of the stem. ORBICULAR, round ; globe-shaped. OVATE, egg-shaped, large end downwards. PALEACEOUS, chaffy ; husky. PANICLE, an irregular bunch of flowerets. PECTINATE, apart, like the teeth of a comb. PEDICEL, a little leaf-stalk. PEDICELLATE, having a little leaf-stalk. GLOSSARY. 01 PELTATE, target-shaped. PENTAGONAL, five-angled or cornered. PERSISTENT, abiding in leaf during the winter. PETIOLE, leaf-stalk. PETIOLED, ~1 }> stalked. PETIOLATED,J PHyENOGAMOUS, whose principle of fecundation is ap- parent. PINNA, the lateral offshoot from the main stem, when perfect leaf, or perfect leafy branch ; secondary or partial, the smaller branch springing from the primary one. PINNATE, having lateral offshoots distinctly cut down to the stem. PINNATIFID, having incomplete branches or leaves, their divisions not reaching down to the stem. PINNULE, the leaf on a branch. PISTIL, the fertile filament, or little column, in the in- terior of a flower or blossom. POLLEN, the fecundating farina of a plant. POLYSTICHUM, the name used by some writers for that portion of the genus Aspidium which has a round Indusium. PROCUMBENT, lying down along the ground; not springing upwards. PUBESCENCE, down, or woolly hair. PUBESCENT, clothed with soft wool, down, or hair. QUADRATE, squared. BACEME, a bunch of irregular flowerets. EACHIS, the main stem from the branches upwards ; sometimes used for the whole stem ; secondary or partial, the same correspondency on the branches. 62 GLOSSARY. RECEPTACLE, the portion of the veins to which the seed-cases are attached. RECURVED,") > turned or curved back. REFLEXED,J RENIFOEM, kidney-shaped. RETICULATED, of fine net-work texture, RHIZOMA, the part under or on the ground from which the frond springs, or root commonly so called, to which the fibres or real roots are attached ; the caudex. RHOMBOIDAL, diamond- shaped, only rather broader one way than the other. ROOT, the main mass at the bottom of the plant whereout it grows, including the fibres ; in description the former. SECUND, pointing one way. SEGMENT, divided portion of the leaf; or the leaf itself when joined to its neighbour by their bases; lobe. SEEEATE, toothed like a saw. SEEEATUEES, saw-like indentations. SESSILE, tapering off without any distinct leaf-stalk, and merging presently in the stem. SILICIOUS, composed of hair-like substance. SIMPLE, single ; plain ; uncompounded. SINUATE, 1 >• bending ; crooked ; serpentine. SINUOUS, J SINUS, the inner end of an indentation. SOEUS, an aggregated mass of thecse or seed-cases. SOEIFEEOUS, seed-bearing. SPINULOSE, spinous; bristly. GLOSSARY. Od SPOKES, seeds. STAMEN, the barren filament or thread-like column in the interior of a flower or blossom. STIGMA, the point of the pistil or fertile filament in the interior of a flower or blossom, receiving the farina. STIPES, the main stem below the branches; secondary or partial, the same correspondently on the branches, STOMATA, the respiratory pores or openings. STRIATED, scored or furrowed. SUB — prefixed, acts as a diminutive ; incompletely, in a modified degree. SUCCULENT, soft; sappy; pulpy. TERETE, columnar ; cylindrical ; round. TERMINAL, springing from the end of the root, &c. TERN ATE, three-branched or leaved at the same point . THECA, seed-vessel or case. TOMENTOSE, cottony. TORTUOUS, twisting; winding; crooked. TRAPEZIPORM, having four unequal sides. TRICHOMANES EADICANS, used by some writers for the Brevisetum. TRJDENTATE, triply-toothed. TKIFID, cleft into three. TRIPINNATE, having secondary branches themselves pinnate, or bearing on them lateral offshoots divided down to the stem. TRUNCATE, lopped off abruptly. TUFTED, clustered ; growing in bunches or swellings. 64 GLOSSARY. UMBELLIFEKOUS, where a number of stalks springing from one centre produce a round of flowerets above, umbrella-fashion. UNILATERAL, growing all on one side only. UHCEOLATE, pitcher- or vase-shaped. VASCULAR, consisting, or full, of vessels. VEINS, the fibres, nerves, or ridges, of a leaf. VENATION*, mode of disposition or arrangement of the veins or nerves. VENULES, smaller veins or fibres. VERNATION, mode of growth of the young undeveloped frond. WINGED, having a thinner, slighter, border, running down the side. WOODSIA ALPINA, the name used by some writers for the Hyperborea. END. ROBE»T HA*DWIC*JS, Printer, 26. Duke Street Piccadilly APPENDIX. THE following suggestions may be perhaps welcome to the commencing cultivator of Ferns. For out-of-doors. Choose a sheltered and shady situation — if under the defence of a wall the better — and one looking north or west. Make up your raised bed with a light soil, largely intermixed with frequent rough porous stones. Front it with rock-work, wherein to fix, especially, the smaller and wall kinds ; the larger and more feathery being of course placed behind in the bed itself. Set them not in too closely together, and remember that those having creeping roots will often extend themselves, and reappear in adjacent spots. If the ground slopes too much, many are inclined to slide downward into the lower positions. "Water before planting, and from time to time as needed ; but let there be opportunity of drainage, so that the bed never becomes marshy or sour; as though Osmunda and Aspid. tJielypteris like this, and some few others, as £lechnum, Aspid. spinulosum and dilatatum, can endure it, to the majority it would be injurious, if not fatal. Should the heat of summer be too great, and shrivel up any of the tender plants, they may be restored, and kept in order by duly watering at night. The wild plants may be removed at any season of the year, though the autumn is the 66 APPENDIX. fittest. In the winter many will have died down, till hardly discernible, except to a practised eye. A fresh addition of peat, or leaf mould, seems to be the only manure yet recommended. The more delicate sorts may, perhaps, be well covered in from the frost by straw or heaps of leaves. For in-doors. In constructing your case, it were advisable to add a false gridiron bottom, an inch or two above the outer one, for drainage sake, having a fountain below. On this lay a net-work of horse-hair, or the like, to prevent any earth from stopping up or sinking through the interstices of the former. On this place an inch of ciuders, and then your compound of peat-earth and silver-sand, raising it just above the rim of the side : this should also be generally interspersed with pieces of rough, porous stone, to some of which the plants should be attached. It should never be damp, or the plants will decay with mildew and perish (though in a very hot room this is of less conse- quence) ; a very slight moisture is all that is required ; just enough, in fact, to create a little condensation on the cover above (which should be on hinges, and fitting into a groove). Should this be wanting, a slight sprink- ling with soft water should be resorted to, lukewarm of course in winter ; where too great, the glass should be wiped dry every morning. This glass must be kept clear and bright, the occasional admission of air during the operation of cleaning it being beneficial rather than the reverse, provided a pretty equable temperature be preserved between the outward and inward atmosphere. The soil before being used should be carefully sifted, to prevent any worms or insect- eggs being admitted with it. Any appearance of blight may be cured by the application of lime-water. APPENDIX. 67 The case itself should not be placed in too retired a part of the room (except as regards that containing Trichomanes brevisetum, or HymenopTiyllurn), as the natural tendency of the plants to creep towards the light would thereby be increased. ERRATA. Page 4, line 4, for "number" read "member." „ 18, ,, 28, for "long" read "short." ,, 45, „ 14, add, except the first, where tufted. Fig. 31, for " Scolopendium " read "Scolopendrium." Aspiduvn. Crisiabim, AspuLuaw Fuzr Man 'M lods Terborea. Blectmusn/ Boreale. 38 Hym&wphvUum Tunbruymse/ 39 Pokpodium Ccucareum