Under the name of the Flowering Fern it is probable that most people are familiar with the subject we are now about to consider. The title has without a doubt arisen from the fact that the species bears its sori in masses at the termination of the fronds, quite apart from the leafy portion. The Royal Fern is the sole British representative of the family Osmundaceæ.
Osmunda regalis. There is great diversity of opinion upon the derivation of the name Osmunda. The name is thought to be of Saxon origin, and possibly was given to the Fern in honour of a personage who bore the name of Osmund. Osmunda was one of the titles of the great god Thor. In other quarters the name is said to be compounded of the two words os, “a house,” and mund, “peace.” Finally, a pretty story associates the name Osmunda with a certain Osmund, a ferryman, who, to hide his daughter from marauding Danes, placed her amongst the great clumps of the Royal Fern which grew so plentifully by the riverside. The specific name regalis is simply Latin for “royal,” and is an apt reference to the noble proportions of this Fern.
Osmunda regalis. The Royal Fern.
The Royal Fern has a sturdy tufted root-stock which in an old example may well be one or two feet in height. From the crown of the root-stock arise the fronds, which are of a yellow-green colour when they are young. The stipes is about the same length as the leafy portion, and the fronds themselves often rise to a great height. Cases are on record where, the plant being in a very damp situation, the fronds have been as much as twelve feet in height. Average specimens would range from three to six feet. The fronds are twice pinnate, the pinnules being oblong with uncut edges. Some of the fronds are barren and never bear any sori.
In the case of the fertile fronds only the upper portion produces the clusters of spore cases. Here the leafy portion of the pinnules is very much contracted, so that little or no green is visible. The sori are quite naked, no indusia being present at any time. A notable feature of the sporangia is that they split up into two valves when about to burst, and are not provided with the elastic ring (annulus) which assists in the rupture of the capsules in the case of most ferns. That the pinnules which bear the sori are exactly comparable to the leafy portion is often very plain. Here and there on a plant it is possible to find fertile examples which have developed partly in a barren, and partly in a fertile manner.
The Royal Fern is essentially a plant of the marshland. It never grows happily in dry or elevated situations. It is perhaps to be found at its best growing by the side of some river or stream. The Royal Fern has been found in many parts of the United Kingdom, though the plant suffers much from the depredations of trippers. Most fern-lovers know of places where this handsome species grows in abundance, but they wisely keep such knowledge to themselves. In the garden the Royal Fern grows well, but it must not suffer from lack of water, or it will prove but a poor subject. The fronds of the Royal Fern die down at the coming of the frost, and the young growth does not put in an appearance until the late spring.
The three species which must now be described would hardly be recognized as Ferns at all by most people. It has been indicated in an earlier chapter that there is really some doubt as to their true position, but for the sake of convenience they are here included amongst the Ferns. All the British species of the family Ophioglosseæ are somewhat inconspicuous plants, owing to their habit of growing mixed up with a lot of herbage.
Ophioglossum vulgatum. The generic name is formed of two Greek words—ophios, “a snake,” and glossa, “a tongue”; a reference to the fact that the barren leaf was thought to bear a resemblance to a snake’s tongue, though it must be confessed that the likeness is not very apparent. The word “vulgatum” is, of course, Latin for “Common.” The Common Adder’s Tongue.
In this species the frond is very definitely divided into two parts, a leafy portion and a spike. These are borne on a stalk about six inches in length which arises from a fleshy root-stock. The roots of the Common Adder’s Tongue are quite coarse and entirely unlike the wiry roots of the majority of ferns. The leafy or barren portion of this curious frond is not divided in any way and is roughly egg-shaped. The fertile portion is in the form of a stalked spike, the spore cases being arranged on either side in double rows. The capsules are rounded in form and have no elastic ring, but open transversely when the contents are ripe. Attention should be called to the beautiful veining of the barren leaf of the Common Adder’s Tongue, which forms a perfect network through the green tissue.
Ophioglossum vulgatum. The Adder’s Tongue.
The Common Adder’s Tongue is really very abundant in many parts of England. It should be looked for in damp meadows, and will probably be difficult to find without a close search. It is not so abundant in Scotland and Ireland. The only way to secure the plant safely for cultivation is to cut up a piece of turf, and remove the whole thing into a position where the soil is moist and rich. The Common Adder’s Tongue is not very often cultivated, as from the gardener’s point of view its decorative value is small. The new frond of the Common Adder’s Tongue is fully developed by June, and it disappears early in the autumn.
Ophioglossum lusitanicum. Here the specific name is taken from Lusitania, the old designation of Portugal—a reference to the fact that the species is abundant in that country, as indeed it is in other parts of Southern Europe. The Little Adder’s Tongue.
This plant is really a miniature addition of the former species. There is no doubt, however, that it is to be regarded as a distinct type, although at one time it was thought to be merely a variety of O. vulgatum.
As far as the United Kingdom is concerned the Little Adder’s Tongue has only been discovered in one or two localities. Some years ago it was stated to have been found in Cornwall, and it certainly used to occur in Guernsey.
Botrychium lunaria. The generic name in this case comes from a Greek word which means “a cluster,” this being a reference to the packed sori of the fertile pinnæ. The specific name comes from the Latin luna, “the moon,”—an allusion to the curiously-shaped pinnæ on the barren part of the frond. The Moonwort.
Botrychium lunaria. The Moonwort.
This is an interesting species which is easily distinguished from the Adder’s Tongue. The plant has a fleshy root-stock from which arises a frond divided into two parts, a leafy portion and a fertile branch. The whole frond is about six or eight inches in height, and the stipes is usually more than half the entire measurement. The leafy branch is pinnate, and its divisions are curious crescent-shaped processes which may be toothed round the edges. These are usually rather crowded together on the stem. The fertile portion of the frond is very upright, and bears about the same number of branches to be counted on the leafy portion. These branches are again divided into sections which bear the clusters of spore cases. These are of a reddish-brown colour and burst open when the contents are mature, in the same manner as that to be seen in the Adder’s Tongue. In the Moonwort, as in the previous species, it is possible to find the next year’s frond concealed at the apex of the root-stock.
The Moonwort grows in drier situations than that which suits the Adder’s Tongue. It is abundant in many parts of England, and is a very common plant in localities in Yorkshire. The species also occurs in other parts of the United Kingdom, though on account of its habit of growing mixed up with grass, the Moonwort is often overlooked.
The following is the only indigenous species related to the Gold and Silver Ferns of our greenhouses:—
Gymnogramma leptophylla. The generic name is derived from two Greek words—gymnos, “naked,” and gramme, “a line”; an allusion to the unprotected sporangia. The specific name means “slender leaf.” The Annual Maidenhair.
This is a pretty little species with barren and fertile fronds of a bright green colour. In some respects the fronds resemble those of the true Maidenhair. The Annual Maidenhair only occurs in Jersey, as far as the United Kingdom is concerned.
As we have seen, the living species of the Club Mosses are comparatively insignificant plants. None the less, most of them are attractive each in its own way, and it is interesting to be able to identify the different kinds. First of all we may consider the five species of Lycopodium.
Lycopodium clavatum. Here the generic name is derived from two Greek words—lukos, “a wall,” and pous, “a foot.” One of the popular names of the plant is Wolf’s Claw; possibly an allusion to the curious branching-stem, although it must be confessed that the plant is not very claw-like. The specific name is derived from the Latin clava, “a club”; this having reference to the cones, or club, which bears the sporangia. The Stag’s Horn Moss, or the Common Club Moss.
Lycopodium Clavatum. The Common Club Moss.
This species has wiry stems of considerable length, sometimes measuring as much as six or eight feet. These run along close to the soil, to which they are attached at intervals by strong roots. The stems which branch in all directions are covered with small narrow leaves, each of which ends in a curious little bristle. This gives to the whole plant a singular grey appearance. These hair-like points to the leaves may be regarded as a distinct feature of the Common Club Moss. In the autumn the fruiting spikes of the Common Club Moss are borne on the ends of erect stalks. The cones are generally about an inch in length, and at times as many as two or three of them may be allotted to each stalk. If closely examined it will be found that the fruiting spikes are composed of a number of leaf-like bracts, each one of which bears the case filled with spores. After the dispersal of the spores the cones fall off, but the plant as a whole remains green throughout the winter.
The Common Club Moss is often very abundant upon the moors of the North of England, and also in Scotland and in Wales. On account of its creeping habit of growth the plant is often overlooked, and few people realize that this Club Moss is really very common. Sometimes single plants cover huge areas of ground, and many of the trailing stems are several feet in length. The spores of this, in common with those of other Lycopodiums, are inflammable; and in the old days these were used in the manufacture of fireworks.
Lycopodium selago. In this case the specific name of selago was that formerly given to all the Club Mosses. The Fir Club Moss.
This is a very pretty little plant, which, on account of its upright habit of growth, attracts a good deal of attention. The stems vary from about three to six inches in height, and these rise upwards from a main stem which sometimes, but not always, trails along the ground for a short distance. The branches are very thickly covered with leaves which overlap one another, and are very stiff. Indeed, the whole plant is covered with the foliage, which, being narrow and pointed, is almost bristle-like in appearance. The colour of the foliage is bright green. The spore capsules are present in the axils of the uppermost leaves of the branches, and these are kidney-shaped. The Fir Club Moss is also very commonly propagated by means of special little buds which appear at the tops of the branches. When these are developed they fall to the ground, and give rise to fresh plants.
The Fir Club Moss is probably almost as common as the Common Club Moss. It should, however, be looked for on elevated moors and the slopes of mountains.
Lycopodium selago. The Fir Club Moss.
Lycopodium inundatum. Here the specific name has reference to the fact that this Club Moss grows in situations which are often under water. The Marsh Club Moss.
This is a peculiarly interesting species, in that it is the only British Club Moss to be found in lowland districts. The stems of the plants are prostrate, and these are so closely fixed to the soil with strong roots that it is almost impossible to remove a specimen without taking away the soil as well. The fertile branches rise in a very direct manner to the height of two or three inches, and these, like the main stems, are thickly covered with narrow leaves, which have sharp points. The fructification is produced in the autumn, the capsules being borne between leaf-like scales at the upper part of the shoot. A singular thing about the Marsh Club Moss is that one end of the creeping stem is always decaying, and an individual plant is rarely more than a few inches in length. In the winter only the growing tip of the plant remains, and from this the whole of the new development arises.
The Marsh Club Moss is comparatively rare in the North of England, though in the South and West it is often to be found. As a rule it occurs in large isolated patches, and one may hunt for some distance around before finding any more specimens. It likes a thoroughly wet situation, and on this account is soon stamped out when any schemes of land drainage are undertaken.
Lycopodium alpinum. In this case the specific name is simply a reference to the fact that this Club Moss grows in mountainous districts. The Alpine Club Moss.
This species has long creeping stems which are rather bare of leaves. From these, however, spring the upright branches which are thickly covered with foliage; every one of the leaves terminates in a point. The Alpine Club Moss is an evergreen plant, and it is of a very bright green colour. The branches which bear the fertile spikes are somewhat taller than the barren ones, and these are often twice forked. The cone bears a number of thin scales, and between each of these and the stem is to be found the kidney-shaped capsules.
The Alpine Club Moss is often to be found in great abundance in elevated districts in Scotland and Ireland. It seems to be most happy in elevated situations.
Lycopodium annotinum. In this case the specific name is from the Latin term signifying “a year old.” This is an allusion to the fact that the yearly additions to the plant are very evident. The Interrupted Club Moss.
This species at first sight is sometimes taken for the Common Club Moss. It is, however, readily distinguished when its branches are examined; these are increased annually by an addition which is very plainly to be observed. It is seen that at these periods the leaves are smaller and much less inclined to spread than in the normal forms. At times the branches divide, and at the tip of some of the upright shoots occur the fertile cones. Each one of these is about an inch long, and it is covered with bracts upon which the spore capsules are borne. The Interrupted Club Moss is a fine species, and is of a pale green colour.
This is probably the rarest of our native Club Mosses. In some parts of Scotland it is said to be abundant, but the plant is always a local one. It has been found in the North of England, though it is decidedly uncommon.
In the United Kingdom there is only one native species of Selaginella.
Selaginella spinosa. In this case the generic name is derived from the name Selago; actually the name means “a little Club Moss.” The specific name has reference to the tiny spines on the margins of the leaves. The Lesser Alpine Club Moss.
This plant is, of course, very distinct from the Lycopodium, in that it produces two kinds of spores. The Lesser Alpine Club Moss is a small plant with both prostrate and upright stems. The leaves are very tiny, and owing to their semi-transparent nature the whole plant is of a pale green colour. Some of the upright stems are barren, but a certain proportion bear the spore capsules in the axils of the small leaves. In the upper part of the cone occur the capsules containing the microspores, whilst in the lower portion are to be found the sporangia, each of which produces three or four megaspores.
The Lesser Alpine Club Moss is probably more common than is generally supposed, especially in the North of England. It grows in damp situations and is often very much mixed up with other herbage, so that it is easily overlooked. It is now necessary to describe the two or three curious little plants which are closely related to the Ferns and Club Mosses.
Isoëtes lacustris. In this case the generic name originates in two Greek words—isos, “equal,” and etos, “a year.” This has reference to the fact that the plant keeps its leaves all through the year and does not alter in appearance. The specific name lacustris is derived from the Latin word lacus, a lake, and is an allusion to the fact that the plant grows in such a situation. The Quillwort.
This is an interesting little plant which is entirely aquatic in its habits. The Quillwort has a tuberous root-stock, and from this arise a large number of dark green leaves, somewhat resembling quills in shape. These are about three or four inches in length, and when the plant is growing in quantity in some pool, it is often taken for a kind of grass. At the base of the leaves, partly protected by the sheathing, are to be found the spore capsules. These cases are of two kinds, those on the outermost rows of leaves containing the large spores, and those on the inner leaves being responsible for the small spores.
Isoëtes lacustris. The Quillwort.
The Quillwort is often abundant in mountain lakes in Scotland and the North of England. Owing to its habit of growth, however, the plant is usually unnoticed by the majority of people.
Another species of Quillwort—Isoëtes Hystrix—occurs in the Channel Islands, but it has not been found elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
Pilularia globulifera. In this case the generic name is formed from the Latin word pilula, “a little pill,” this being a reference to the curious pill-like spore capsules which the plant produces. The specific name of globulifera is made up from two Latin words—globus, “a ball,” and fero, “I carry.” This is another allusion to the rounded sporangia. The Pillwort.
This is a curious little plant with a very slender creeping root-stock. From this are sent down small tufts of roots into the damp soil in which the plant grows. From the upper part of the stem arise the leaves, which are bristle-shaped, two or three inches in length, and of an intensely bright green colour. It is interesting to note that in their young state these leaves uncoil very much in the same manner to be noticed in the Ferns. The spore cases are situated at the point where the leaf arises from the root-stock. Externally these are densely covered with brown hairs, and they are just about the size of a small pea. The sporangia are four-celled, and when the time for the dispersal of the spores arrive, the cases split open. The spores are of two kinds, and both sorts are present in the same sporangia. The large spores are confined to the lower portion of the case, the small ones to the upper part.
The Pillwort is common in some parts of England, though less so in Scotland and Ireland. It always grows in very damp situations, though it is rarely found submerged, save when this happens as the result of flooding. The Pillwort so often grows mixed up with grass, which in some ways it resembles, that the plant is frequently overlooked.
Azolla caroliniana.
Azolla caroliniana. Here the generic name is derived from two Greek words—azo, “to dry,” and ollo, “to kill”—an allusion to the fact that dryness is fatal to the well-being of the plant. The specific name has reference to the fact that the plant is very abundant in Carolina, though as a matter of fact it occurs in other parts of the world. It should be pointed out that the Azolla is not a native of the United Kingdom, but it has become well established in some parts of the South of England.
During the summer time the Azolla, which is a floating plant, increases with great rapidity, sometimes completely covering the surface of a lake. At first the fronds, which are exquisitely beautiful, are of a silver-green colour; towards the autumn they assume a bright crimson tint. Underneath the fronds are produced a large quantity of roots which hang down into the water. Two kinds of spores are produced. The microspores are packed away in cases which are provided with curious barbed contrivances. The megaspores bear hooks, and in this way the two processes become attached. The Azolla is a pretty plant to grow in an aquarium, though where it has been able to make itself at home it will sometimes increase so vigorously that all other vegetation is killed.
It is now necessary to consider a very striking order of plants. Unlike the Club Mosses, it is probable that most people are familiar with one or more species of Horsetail; some of these plants are not only common, but they are also very striking in appearance. In all there are eight species of Equisetum which are natives of the United Kingdom, and most of these are fairly easy to identify if a few leading features are borne in mind.
Equisetum arvense. The generic name in this case is composed of two Latin words—equus, “a horse,” and seta, “a bristle.” Thus we see that the popular name of the plant is an almost exact translation of the scientific one. The specific name is derived from the Latin adjective arvus, “a field,” and has, of course, reference to the fact that the plant grows in pastures. The Field Horsetail.
Barren stem of Equisetum arvense.
This species is by far the commonest of all the Horsetails, and is very frequently to be found on embankments in fields and by the sides of roads. The plant, which dies down in the winter, starts its growth quite early in the year with the development of the fertile stems. These rise straight up from the branching root-stock, and are generally about five or six inches in height. The stem, which is of a very pale colour, is of rather a succulent nature; it is hollow in the centre and in a certain way reminds one of bamboo. At intervals there are certain sheaths which are divided into a number of teeth with very sharp points. The cone-like fructification is about an inch in length and bears a number of peltate scales to which the spore capsules are attached. The spores are ready for dispersal in the month of May. Just about this time the barren stems put in an appearance. These rise to the height of two feet, or even more, and have many whorls of spreading branches which in their turn may again be branched. It is these branches which carry on the real vegetative work of the plant. For the real leaves we must examine the sheaths, which with their wedge-shaped teeth are to be found at the stem joints. The teeth are the only free portions of the leaves of the Horsetails. It is interesting to note that in each whorl the branches are equal to the number of leaves and are alternate to them. The stem of the barren branches of the Field Horsetail is slightly marked with furrows, which vary in number. The branches are usually only four-furrowed, and have sheaths with the same number of teeth.
The whole of the barren portion of the Field Horsetail is very rough to the touch. This is due to the fact that the plant is covered with tiny flinty particles. That the measure has a protective value is very evident, for cattle have hardly ever been known to eat the plant.
Equisetum maximum. In this case the specific name, of course, means great, and has reference to the fact that the species is the largest of all the kinds. In some old books this species is given as E. Telmateia and E. fluvialis. The Great Horsetail.
Fertile cones of Equisetum maximum.
This is by far the most striking of all our native Horsetails. As a rule the plant grows in a damp situation, and it then assumes handsome proportions. The fertile stems appear on the scene about April, and these do not as a rule exceed a foot in height. They are very succulent, and have loose sheaths which have about thirty or forty teeth. The sheaths are green at the lower, and brown at the upper part, being distinctly marked with lines. The fertile cones are three or four inches long and possess a very large number of scales. The barren stems are remarkable for their erect growth, and in a fine specimen these may be four or five feet in height. The stem bears numerous whorls of branches, and these branches may show yet further divisions. As a rule each whorl has thirty or forty branches apiece. On the upper part of the stem the whorls are very close together, but they are more widely separated at the lower portion. The main stems, which taper towards the apex, are marked with lines, and at intervals are enclosed in sheaths; these have long teeth and fit the stem very closely. The branches are rough to the touch, and have sheaths which end in four or five teeth; each tooth in this case is prolonged into a bristle which has two toothed ribs. This is a feature by means of which it is always possible to distinguish the Great Horsetail from any other species. Now and again stems have been found which, whilst bearing fertile cones, at the same time branch in the manner to be observed in the case of the barren stems.
The Great Horsetail is widely distributed and is sometimes very abundant, though it is not so common as some of the other species of Equisetum.
Equisetum pratense. In this case the specific name is a Latin word which means “growing in a meadow.” In some books this plant is known as E. umbrosum. The Shade or Blunt-topped Horsetail.
This species has three kinds of stems. The first of these is about six inches in height, and is provided with large loose sheaths. This bears the cone of fructification, which is ripened about the month of April. The second type of stem produces both branches and a fertile cone, though this latter is very much smaller than in the case of the first type of stem. Finally, there is the barren stem, which may be about eighteen inches in height; this is very rough, and has about twenty strongly-marked ridges. The sheaths, which are not so large as those of the fertile stem, fit somewhat closely. The stem branches freely, and it is to be noted that these branches have three or four ridges; as well, they bear sheaths which end in the same number of teeth. A distinctive feature of the Shade Horsetail is that the topmost whorls of branches spread upwards in such a way that they reach the summit of the stem; there is no long tapering point such as is to be seen in the case of the Field Horsetail, for instance. The result of this habit of growth is that the plant has a curious flat-topped appearance; it is on this account that the species has received one of its popular names.
The Shade Horsetail grows in damp meadows and very shady woods, though it is not common in all districts.
Equisetum sylvaticum. In this case the specific name is taken from the Latin silva, “a wood,” and is a reference to the habitat of the plant. The Wood Horsetail.
This is one of the most beautiful of our Horsetails. The plant has two kinds of stems, both of which are ultimately branched. The fertile stems put in an appearance first of all in the early spring; at this time these bear only a cone and are without branches. With the dispersal of the spores the cone shrivels up, and then the stems starts to send out green branches. These branches give off whorls of smaller branches from their joints. In a general way the stems of the barren shoots are not so succulent as those which bear the cone; the barren stems, too, are somewhat taller and branch more freely than the fertile ones. In both barren and fertile stems are to be noticed the whorls of small drooping branches which give a characteristic appearance to the Wood Horsetail, and by means of which it may always be identified. The sheaths which enclose the stem evidence three or four teeth, whilst the terminal branches (which are three-ribbed) bear at each joint a sheath ending in three long pointed teeth. The stems of the Wood Horsetail are marked by about a dozen ridges.
The Wood Horsetail is often abundant in damp shady woods.
Equisetum palustre. The specific name palustre means “belonging to the marshes.” The Marsh Horsetail.
This plant has a very thick rhizome from which arise the erect stems. The barren and the fertile stems closely resemble each other, being about a foot or more in height, with very rough surfaces on which it is possible to count from six to twelve very prominent ridges. The stems are enclosed at intervals in loose sheaths, which have the same number of teeth as the ridges on the stem. It should be noted that the branches from the various whorls show a marked tendency to turn upwards. On certain of the stems the fertile cone appears and the spores are ripened about June, after which the process withers. The plant as a whole remains green until late in the autumn. Sometimes in the case of large plants, cones have been known to occur on the tips of the branches of the Marsh Horsetail.
The Marsh Horsetail is a very common species, often growing in the greatest profusion by the sides of pools.
Equisetum limosum. In this case the specific name is a Latin word which means “full of mud”; this being an allusion to the fact that the plant favours swampy situations. The Smooth Naked Horsetail. The plant is also called the Water Horsetail.
A distinctive feature of this plant is that it has almost completely smooth stems, though a close examination will indicate the presence of a number of slight ridges. The barren and the fertile stems are very similar, and in a favourable situation they will grow to the height of two or three feet. A curious feature of this plant is the irregular way in which the branches appear. Sometimes the stems are quite bare; on other occasions they are partly branched; in any case the branches are short. The sheaths with many teeth are closely pressed to the stem. The fertile stem is, of course, distinguished by the cone which it bears at the summit. It is said that cattle are not averse to eating the Smooth Naked Horsetail, and certainly the stems are not unpleasant to the touch.
The Smooth Naked Horsetail is a common plant, specially by the sides of streams and pools. It sometimes grows right in the water.
Equisetum variegatum. Here the specific name means variegated, and has reference to the fact that the sheaths enclosing the stem are pale green below and blackish in colour above. The Variegated Rough Horsetail.
As a rule this plant grows by the seashore, where, by means of its fibrous roots, it may play a useful part in helping to bind the shifting sand. The Variegated Horsetail is not exclusively maritime, however, for it sometimes grows by the sides of rivers and ponds. The barren and fertile stems closely resemble one another, and they are very nearly prostrate in habit. As a rule they are about a foot in height, and the stems have from four to ten ridges. The upper part of the stem is usually unbranched, but whorls of branches occur towards the base. The sheaths, which, as already stated, are green below and black above, fit very closely to the stem. The black teeth have white margins, and terminate in bristle-like points. The cones are borne at the summit of the fertile stems, and are comparatively small.
The Variegated Rough Horsetail occurs chiefly, though not exclusively, in the North of England.
Equisetum hyemale. The Dutch Rush.
Equisetum hyemale.—In this case the specific name is a Latin adjective which means “pertaining to winter,” an allusion to the fact that the plant is to be found all through this season. The Rough Horsetail or Dutch Rush.
This is quite the most distinct of all the Horsetails. There are none of the whorled branches which are so familiar in the other species, and it is only now and again that even a single branch is produced from the base of one of the sheaths. There is a strong resemblance between the barren and the fertile stems. These are both tall and very erect, usually running up to the height of two or three feet. The stem is very rough to the touch, and is marked with from fourteen to twenty ridges. The edges of these ridges are thickly covered with flinty particles. The sheaths of the Dutch Rush clasp the stem of the plant very closely. The fertile cone is small, and is placed at the top of the stem.
The Rough Horsetail is not a very common species, but is abundant on the Continent, especially in Holland and Germany, where it is largely employed for the fixing of the soil of embankments. The Rough Horsetail is very useful for polishing wood.
Perhaps none of our native plants have suffered more from those vandals who root up every pretty thing they see than the Ferns. To the average tripper there seems to be something irresistible in the green fronds, and up comes the root, or enough of it to destroy the plant, and the prize is carried home. Even if the fern is so fortunate as to be planted at all, it is probably dealt with in such a way that its chances of living are very remote. County Councils may pass by-laws, but one is afraid that these will have little effect until there is amongst the people as a whole a more wide-spread regard for natural beauty. It is to be feared that one cannot entirely acquit the scientific student of helping in the destruction of Ferns. A rare find is a terrible temptation to the enthusiast, but if the plant is a solitary one it is a golden rule to leave it alone. Often enough a single frond will give us any quantity of ripe spores from which fresh plants may be raised. In any case the gathering of the leaf is a certain proof that one has found the particular species. If it is possible to re-visit the spot at a later date it is not unlikely that the specimen may have propagated itself in some way. Of course, where there are a number of specimens there can be no harm in taking one for cultivation. The same applies to common Ferns, or varieties of these; and if by propagation the stock is increased the number of beautiful plants in the country is made the larger. So that there is a form of collecting which is perfectly legitimate, and, indeed, to be commended.
For those who start out on a Fern collecting expedition, one of the long narrow trowels will be found to be extremely useful. A proper vasculum is, of course, of service, but this is sometimes apt to get in the way, and it will not accommodate very large Ferns. Mr. C. T. Druery, who has done an enormous amount of Fern collecting at home and abroad, declares that he contents himself with some old newspapers and a ball of string. In this way bundles of the plants are easily made, and in most cases these can be readily carried about. Great care is necessary when removing the Ferns to do as little damage as possible to the roots. If it is desired that the plant should settle into its new home as quickly as possible, it is an excellent plan to take away with it a certain amount of soil. Of course, considerations of weight have to be taken into account, but the more mould round the roots the better. Never grasp a Fern plant from above and try to pull it away, as this will be almost sure to result in damage. Rock Ferns are often exceedingly difficult to remove, owing to the manner in which the roots of these plants spread to great distances in the crevices. Yet without a large amount of their roots these Ferns can never be satisfactorily established. In such cases a chisel and a mallet will often come in highly useful, as in many instances if the rock is chipped away the Fern can be readily taken from its position. As the specimens are secured it is most important to take steps to protect them from withering. First of all, wrap a portion of damp newspaper round the roots, and then tie up with dry paper. When on a holiday the Ferns may be kept alive and in good condition for a week or so, if they are placed in some shady corner with their roots protected in the manner described. An occasional sprinkling of water will help to prevent any withering. Of course, for packing it is often necessary to cut off some of the largest fronds; and there is not much lost by so doing, for these often become very much damaged, and will probably die when the plant is established in its new quarters. The question is often asked at what time of the year may Ferns be removed. Nearly all our native species will suffer transplanting at almost any season if the business is carried out on the lines indicated. Of course, most specimens are probably taken up in the summer when the handsome foliage attracts the eye. In some ways this is the least satisfactory time on account of the hot dry weather, but by protecting the roots there is no reason why the specimens should flag to a harmful extent. Of course, newly acquired Ferns will pay for extra attention in the way of watering until they have secured a proper roothold.
A very interesting way of studying Ferns is that of collecting the fronds of the species which the hunter may come across. This is a pursuit to which no sort of objection can be taken, for, of course, the plant itself is not in any way disturbed, and is not in the least likely to suffer from having one or two of its fronds removed. In a general way the fronds are best collected during the summer and autumn, when they will, of course, be well developed. It is much more difficult to secure perfect fronds than may be generally supposed, and even with the common species a number of plants may have to be examined ere specimens without blemish of some kind or another can be obtained. Seeing that the position and shape of the sori play such an important part in classification, the fronds should be secured when the patches of spore cases are developed. On the other hand, these should not be quite ripe, or they will be likely to burst in the process of drying, and the real character of the sori will not be very apparent. When they are gathered the fronds should be placed at once in a vasculum, or a long tin box, and must be kept there until the time for pressing arrives. Naturally it is a good plan to treat the fronds as soon as possible, though in a closed tin box they will keep for some days without withering.
If properly dried and pressed, it is possible to preserve the Fern fronds with a great deal of their natural colour. Botanical drying paper should be employed, and, of course, if desired an orthodox press may be used; but this is not really necessary. The cheapest plan is to secure two boards of wood of a size to cover the sheets of drying paper, which are placed between the boards. If the paper is about twelve by eighteen inches this will accommodate moderate examples of most of the fronds. Of course, special arrangements will have to be made for extremely large leaves. It is not a bad plan to have two straps with buckles so as to keep the boards together, and prevent them from moving when the Fern fronds are in position. In the first place, two or three thicknesses of the paper should be spread on one of the boards. Now take the same number of sheets, and start to place these over the frond. Starting at the tip of the leaf the divisions should be carefully spread out in such a way that the frond as a whole is well displayed. To keep the frond in position it may be useful to put a book on the paper as it is spread out. A number of fronds may be accommodated between the two boards in this way, but it is important to have two or three pieces of the drying paper between each specimen. When all the fronds have been spread out in the manner indicated the uppermost board is put on the top of the layers of paper, and by means of the straps the pieces of wood are drawn together. A very small amount of pressure should be employed in the first instance, and a few light books on the topmost board will be all-sufficient.
After about twenty-four hours the fronds may be examined. They are still comparatively supple, and any misplaced pinnæ may be re-arranged without any difficulty. In any case, fresh pieces of drying paper must now be used, and on to these the fronds are placed. It will be found that as a whole they assume a flat position, and are very easily handled. A little stiff brush, or the end of a hairpin, will be found very useful at this stage to help in the working out of any refractory pinnæ. The pressing is carried out in the same manner as before, only if it is decided to make this the final stage of the process, the weights should be heavier. In the case of very complicated fronds the process of examining may be repeated three, or even more times, with intervals of twenty-four hours. After two or three days it will be found that the fronds are quite dry, and they should have retained almost all of their natural colour.
The fronds may be moved into a portfolio formed of sheets of stoutish paper. They may be held in place by fastening a few strips of gummed paper over the stipes and rachis. The name, locality, and date of gathering should be added to each specimen. Of course, in all cases it is a good plan to have two fronds, one showing the upper and the other the under side. Where there are both barren and fertile fronds, an example of each should naturally be included. Thus, a highly interesting collection of fern fronds may be gathered together with a small amount of trouble.
One is often asked by those who wish to study British Ferns, where the most interesting specimens are to be found. The answer to the question is that it is always a wise plan to keep your eyes open wherever you go. Many of our smaller ferns are readily overlooked even by the keenest observers. The writer can call to mind an occasion when he sent away to a London nursery to buy an example of the Wall Rue Spleenwort. At the time he was living in a town, and without a long tramp into the country there seemed to be no hope of securing a specimen. A few days after the arrival of the purchased plant any quantity of the little Fern, in rather a dwarfed form, it is true, was found growing in the crevices of a wall adjoining a public road. The upper part of the wall being covered with ivy, the Spleenwort found a position beneath the protecting shade, where it attracted no attention from the passers-by. Of course, certain species of Fern are extremely local, largely owing to the fact that they require special conditions of soil, etc. It is therefore quite useless to look for such in an average district. Many species flourish only in rock crevices or on old walls. Others are to be found, as a rule, in rather elevated positions, and we cannot hope to find them save in a mountainous country. Finally, there are a great many Ferns which can adapt themselves to a variety of conditions. The actual circumstances of their surroundings will make them vary more or less from the type, and this must always be borne in mind when specimens are being examined. In another way identification is sometimes rather difficult, owing to the fact that immature Ferns are often very misleading in their appearance. Quite likely they may resemble another species altogether. It is therefore only when a mature frond bearing sporangia is discovered that it is possible in some cases to speak with certainty. Many British Ferns evidence a marked tendency to “sport,” and this is a fact which the beginner should always bear in mind. As a rule, however, even in the case of extreme varieties, a careful examination of the specimen will enable it to be identified.