The Male Fern is abundant in all parts of the United Kingdom where the conditions are in any way suitable. Naturally it is of easy culture in the garden. The new fronds, which are very pretty when they are uncurling, put in an appearance in the month of April. _Nephrodium Thelypteris._ The specific name of this plant is a compound word derived from the Greek, meaning “ladyfern”; the title probably has reference to the delicate growth of the species. The Fern is also called _Lastrea Thelypteris_. The Marsh Buckler Fern. This is a very attractive Fern, and perhaps the only British species which frequently grows in water. The Marsh Buckler Fern has a creeping rhizome from which arise the fronds at intervals; these are of two kinds, barren and fertile. The barren fronds sometimes reach the length of four feet, the stipes—which is slender and of a pale green colour—being about equal to the leafy portion. The fertile fronds are usually shorter. In both cases the outline of the fronds is the same, being lanceolate. In each case, too, the pinnæ arranged alternately on either side of the rachis are cut almost to the midrib. In the case of the fertile fronds the pinnæ are perhaps a little more contracted; also the margins are inclined to bend over in such a way as to protect the sori. The clusters of sporangia are almost circular, and these are borne on the margins of the lobes on the underside of the pinnæ. The clusters of the sporangia are covered with small indusia which are slightly notched. The indusia are soon thrown off when the spore cases start to develop. The Marsh Buckler Fern is not uncommon, and in suitably moist positions is often very abundant. It is, however, said to be rare in Scotland. The species will not flourish in a garden unless something in the way of a bog can be provided. The fronds appear in the spring and are cut down by the first frost. _Nephrodium oreopteris._ The specific name is connected with the Greek word _oros_, “a mountain.” In some books this fern is also called _N. montana_ and _Lastrea montana_. In certain districts, varieties of the species are common. The Mountain Buckler Fern. In certain respects this species bears a resemblance to the Male Fern. The fronds spring from a tufted root-stock and their outline is lanceolate; they are from one to four feet in length. The foliage of the Mountain Buckler Fern is of a pale green colour. A distinctive feature is the manner in which the frond of this Fern tapers to a point at both ends; this is even more pronounced at the base than at the apex. In the Male Fern any tapering at the base is of a very slight description. The Mountain Buckler Fern is once pinnate, the pinnæ being continued almost through the entire length of the stalk; this makes the stipes very short. The pinnæ, which are generally placed opposite to one another, are cut very deeply. [Illustration: Nephrodium oreopteris. The Mountain Buckler Fern.]