Fig. 216.

nor since, with the exception of even a more tropiclooking plantation of the same fern on the shores of one of the large Norfolk lakes or "broads," at Irstead, near Norwich. There was the Royal Flowering Fern (Osmunda regalis), never better deserving its name. The large lightgreen fronds and stout stems covered at least a hundred square yards like a miniature forest, each stem terminating in a spike of brownishyellow sori, or spore-cases, which have caused it to be named " flowering." (Fig 216). Not many years ago the "seed" or spores of this fern were fully believed to render the person carrying them invisible; but before they had this effect it was necessary to gather them at midnight, on St. John's eve! In Norfolk we have seen this fern growing to the height of five or six feet.

The limestone walls of Derby

shire are the places for ferns. Here, Royal Fern (Osmunda in abundance, grow the Maiden- regalis).

hair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes), with its shining black stem and bright green, roundish pinnules. The Bladder Fern (Cystopteris fragilis) will be found associated with it, and when we say it

is one of our most elegant and graceful species, we have described it so that it cannot be mistaken. The Limestone Polypody (Polypodium calcareum) grows in the same places, its lower fronds being nearly as broad across the diameter of the fern as the latter is high, thus giving to the plant quite a triangular outline. Out on the hills above grow the Parsley Fern (Cryptogramme crispa, Fig. 217), so named because its habit of carrying the spore-cases

Fig. 217.

Parsley Fern (Cryptogramme crispa). b, Portion enlarged.

clustered together causes it to resemble the parsley grown in our gardens. On some parts of the Lancashire moors, as at Fo Edge, we have seen this pretty fern covering the rough ground for acres.

Another common fern in Derbyshire is the Rueleaved Fern (Asplenium ruta-muraria), which the student will always recognise by its resemblance to the rue grown in our gardens. It is rarely more than two or three inches in height. The walls of old churches and ruins are places to look for this plant, and it

may often be found in such situations growing in thousands. A rarer fern than this, and perhaps the most beautiful of all our English species, is the Scaly Spleenwort (Ceterach officinarum, Fig 218), which, if found anywhere, will be met with in such spots as those where the rue-leaved fern grows. It is tolerably well scattered over the northern, western,

Fig. 218

Ceterach officinarum. b, Portion enlarged.

and southern counties of England, but its beauty has sadly interfered with its perpetuity. The silvery light-brown scales on the back of the pinnules have given to it its common name. Formerly, this plant was much sought after in order

U

Fig. 219.

to apply it to wounds and ulcers. Its roots are short,

but they possess

b

the power

trating the hardest

mortar. Another of our rarest native ferns is Woodsia ilvensis (Fig 219), which can be met with only in the bleakest and most exposed mountain regions.

The commonest of our road and lane side ferns are the polypody, which may frequently be met with under distinct varietal forms; the Male Fern, Female Fern, and Blechnum. The latter resembles the Polypody in the shape of its fronds, but some of the fronds only bear spore-cases, and these are generally erect and brown. The Dilated Fern (Lastrea dilatata) is also a common and most elegant plant, especially abundant in the shady lanes of the northern and midland counties. The Holly Fern is another lover of the northern districts, although it is also common in some parts of the eastern counties. Lastly, in the Woods you may meet with the Oakfern (Polypodium dryopteris), a plant

never to be forgotten, for nothing can excel the beauty of its light green fronds, and slender black stems. We have already mentioned the hart's tongue as another lane-side species. Little introduction is required to the study of this class of plants, for when once the student has commenced collecting them he is almost certain to continue. Few plants keep so well in the herbarium, or look so natural when mounted. In this form they remind one of many pleasant hours in the woods and lanes and on the mountain sides; and thus continue the enjoyment of the sunniest and most innocent spots of one's life!