THE FERN PARADISE.

Brook* D»v it So,. lift

THE

FERN PARADISE:

FRANCIS GEORGE HEATH,

Hon. Secretary of the Park Preservation Society;
AUTHOR OF "THE ENGLISH PEASANTRY," "THE 'ROMANCE' OF PEASANT LIFE,"

ETC., ETC.

SECOND EDITION.

HODDER AND STOUGHTON,

27, PATERNOSTER ROW.

1876.

Printed by Haiell, Watson, and Viney, London and Aylesbury.

THE AUTHOR TO THE READER.

'T^HIS little volume has been written with an
earnest purpose. The various chapters of
which it is composed will disclose in detail what
that purpose is. But an author has no right to
expect that the public, however indulgent, will read
his book unless he can, in his preface, show cause
why they should do so. Should he by the exercise
of rare ability succeed, in his introductory chapter,
in chaining the interest of his readers, he may need
no better passport to their continued indulgence
than that supplied by a powerful imagination and
a brilliant literary style. But, if he eschews the
endeavour to dazzle, and merely aspires to be
useful, he must adopt the humble role of an apolo-
gist, and give such preliminary explanations of the
object which he proposes to accomplish as may

209091 1

vi THE A UTHOR TO THE READER.

secure for him a patient hearing on the part of
those whom he desires to please and to benefit.

The earnest purpose of this little volume, then,
is that it may assist in developing the popular taste
for Ferns in such a way as to lead to the more
extensive cultivation of these graceful and beautiful
plants in our gardens and in our dwelling-houses ;
nay, even so far as such an arrangement would be
practicable, in our places of business, wherever
they may be.

The author claims to have originated the idea
which these pages will unfold. He has noticed —
and many others have doubtless done the same —
that within recent years there has been in our cities
and towns a great development in the practice of
what is called " window gardening." This practice
has not been confined to the humbler classes.
Rich and poor have come now to adopt " window
gardening" to a much greater extent than formerly;
and so far as the poor are concerned, attempts
have been made by philanthropic persons and by
philanthropic associations to foster and encourage
the new taste. The wealthy, when they have not

THE AUTHOR TO THE READER. vii

window gardens, have the means of providing
similar objects of enjoyment. Their wealth enables
them to gratify their tastes ; and these are not
fettered by any considerations of cost. But in our
cities and towns, the immediate surroundings of
the poor — whose existence is too commonly cheer-
less and sad — are painfully dismal. Penury and
suffering too add piquancy to the depression which
is naturally caused by such dismal surroundings :
and the efforts of those who have spent time and
money in the endeavour to relieve the dull
monotony of the lives of the poor, have been
directed to a noble end.

Whilst however the poor of our large towns feel
more keenly than the well-to-do or the rich the
necessity of having in or about their dwellings
some such enlivening influence as would be pro-
duced by the presence of plants or flowers, it is the
rich who, from their more abundant means, have
adopted "window gardening" to the greatest ex-
tent. But amongst all classes of town dwellers the
recent increase in the delightful practice is no doubt
due to the same cause. Our big towns and cities

viii THE AUTHOR TO THE READER.

have been acquiring an accelerated rate of growth.
Houses have thus, by a rapid process of extension,
been blotting out the green fields and hedgerows.
In London this process has perhaps acquired a
greater degree of development than elsewhere;
but wherever it has been in operation the with-
drawal of the country has increased the desire of
those who have thus been gradually enfolded more
and more completely within the stifling domain of
bricks and mortar, to compensate for the absence
of green fields by surrounding themselves with
something which is fresh and green.

To a certain extent this desire has been met by
the formation of parks or public gardens within
central and densely populated town districts ; but
the requirements of health and enjoyment have not
been sufficiently met by such means, the number
of public gardens in the Metropolis and elsewhere
being far too small.

Next to the public parks and gardens the
gardens of dwelling houses in town districts help
to supply the popular want for the refreshing
presence of trees, shrubs, plants and flowers. But

THE AUTHOR TO THE READER. ix

it is the exception to find gardens in the central
parts of large towns. Small open spaces or yards
may sometimes exist in lieu of gardens. But in
such spaces everything has, too frequently, a bleak
and arid aspect, except where " boon nature " has
thrown down a few blades of grass or some hardy
weed which can bravely live amidst uncongenial
surroundings ; or where, perhaps, the occupiers of
the houses which possess such dismal open spaces
may have introduced shrubs, plants, or flowers in
pots. In town suburbs gardens are more plentiful,
and flower gardening occasionally is practised with
great artistic effect. Even in town suburbs, how-
ever, there is many a bleak uncultivated corner
which might be subjected with advantage to the
enlivening influence of plants.

But the Ferns — why are not they brought into
more extended cultivation? Not because there
is any disinclination to do so on the part of
town dwellers. On the contrary, are the numbers
not counted by hundreds of thousands of those
who, chained to business in the heart of the
great business centres, and consequently kept for

x THE A UTHOR TO THE READER.

many months within city walls, wearily pine
for fresh country breezes, and for the green, the
delightful, the refreshing green of the fields and
hedgerows ?

Well does the author remember his own feelings
after a first residence of a few months in London.
Coming away from the delightful West of England,
amidst whose beautiful scenes he must have im-
bibed in his earliest years his passionate love for
hill, woodland and stream, the atmosphere of the
Metropolis hung heavily upon him. Six months
of that first residence in the great wilderness of
houses seemed six years to him. But oh ! the glad
sense of freedom when the time came at the end of
the six months for relaxation, and business could
be thrown up for a few weeks. How keen was the
enjoyment of the railway journey for a hundred
and sixty miles — how delightful to drink in the
lovely landscapes which passed in rapid alternation
before his eye !

Such an experience is by no means a solitary
one. It has been said that there are hundreds of
thousands of town dwellers who every day are

THE AUTHOR TO THE READER. xi

wearily pining for the country, or something which
will remind them of it. The lives of such are
chiefly passed in two spheres — the sphere of work
and the sphere of home. They live in one place,
and they work — whether as employers or employed
— in another, or it may be in others.

It is probably because they have not given a
thought to the beautiful ferns that it has not
occurred to them how much more pleasant would
be the associations of their dwellings and their
places of business, were they to fill up every vacant
and available corner with these graceful and ele-
gant plants. Sometimes it is perhaps because the
idea of having flowers in sunless corners would be
impracticable that the idea of having any substi-
tutes for flowers is abandoned. But, as it has been
urged elsewhere — " ferns will grow where flowering
plants would perish."

Will it not be admitted then that a vast fund of
pleasure is here opened up, — pleasure which is
within the reach of all? When it is remembered
how much in this life happiness and misery, com-
fort and discomfort, depend upon ourselves and

xii THE AUTHOR TO THE READER.

upon acts or habits that are within our control ;
when it is remembered too how easily we accustom
ourselves to jog on in a round of monotonous exist-
ence when perhaps a slight, a very slight, attention
to the details of enjoyment would furnish us with
constant sources of pleasure, it will be allowed that
a most important object will be secured if it be
found possible successfully to urge, that such atten-
tion should be given to the subject of which this
volume treats.

More than a year ago the author conceived the
idea of this book, and fixed upon its present title.
He subsequently contributed three papers, which
embodied the plan of the proposed book, to the
pages of a well-known magazine. These papers
are now reproduced in a somewhat altered form,
in the Introduction and in Chapters I., II., VI., and
VII. of Part I. of this volume.

The author feels that in this address to the
reader he has already trenched upon matters which
have been dealt with in another part of the volume ;
but he is anxious in this place to put forth a good
plea for the object which he desires to effect ; for

THE AUTHOR TO THE READER. xiii

unless he can do so he is conscious that he can
have no claim, as he has already said, upon the
reader's indulgence.

In conclusion, the author would express the
earnest hope that his little volume may be the
humble means of increasing the popular taste for
the varied and exquisite forms of fern life : a taste
which is certain to have a softening and elevating
influence on the popular mind. May these grace-
ful and feathery forms crowd in vast numbers into
our dwelling houses, our gardens, and our places of
business, shedding their soft charms within the
rude rough sphere of this hurrying, pushing, hard,
and too practical modern life of ours. And if this
little volume may be the means of shedding even
the smallest additional ray of happiness on the
path of those who may read it, the knowledge of
such a result will be to the author the source of
the most sincere and heartfelt satisfaction.

BRUNSWICK LODGE,

SOUTH HACKNEY,

March, 1875

CONTENTS.

PART I.
FERN LAND.

PAGE

INTRODUCTION .... .5

CHAP. I. FERN LAND ..... 13

II. A PARADISE OF FERNS . . .23

III. FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON . 39

IV. THE FERNY MOORLANDS . * 57
V. DOWN A GREEN LANE! . . • 79

VI. WHAT is A FERN? ... 97

VII. A FERN PARADISE AT HOME , 107

PART II.

FERNS AND FERN CULTURE.

INTRODUCTION . . , . 119

SECTION I.

SINGLE FERNS.

CHAP. I. THE BRACKEN . . * .123

II. THE HARTSTONGUE . . . .133

III. THE LADY FERN . .138

IV. THE HARD FERN . ^ . 144
V. THE ROYAL FERN * .148

xvi CONTENTS.

SECTION L- Continued.

PAGE

VI. THE MAIDENHAIR . . , .156

VII. THE ANNUAL MAIDENHAIR . . 161

VIII. THE MOUNTAIN PARSLEY FERN . . 163

IX. THE BRISTLE FERN . . . .167

X. THE MOONWORT . . . 171

XI. THE ADDERS-TONGUE . . . 173

XII. THE LITTLE ADDERS-TONGUE . 176

SECTION II.
FERN GROUPS.

FERN GROUPS ...... 181

CHAP. I. THE POLYPODIES . . . .185

II. THE SHIELD FERNS . . . .203

III. THE BLADDER FERNS . . .215

IV. THE WOODSIAS . . . .225
V. THE BUCKLER FERNS . . .231

VI. THE SPLEENWORTS . . . .255

VII. THE FILMY FERNS . . . .285

L'ENVOI ....... 291

KEY TO FRONTISPIECE.

i. Scaly Spleenwort. 2. Sea Spleenwort, (frond.) 3. Common Maidenhair
Spleen wort, (frond.) 4. Black Maidenhair Spleenwort, (frond.) 5. Lanceolate
Spleenwort, (frond.) 6. Rue-leaved Spleenwort, (portion of frond.) 7. Forked
Spleenwort, (frond.) 8. Lady Fern, (branch of frond.) 9. Soft Prickly Shield
Fern, (branch of frond.) 10. Tunbridge Filmy Fern, (frond.) n. Maidenhair,
(portion of frond.) 12. Male Fern, (branch of frond.) 13. Prickly-toothed
Buckler Fern, (branch of frond.) 14. Marsh Buckler Fern, (branch of frond.)
15. Hay-scented Buckler Fern, (branch of frond.) 16. Mountain Buckler
Fern, (branch of frond. ) 17. Common Polypody, (frond.) 18. Mountain Poly-
pody, (small leaflet of frond.) 19. Three-branched Polypody, (pair of leaflets
on branch of frond.) 20. Hard Fern, (barren frond.) 21. Royal Fern, (leaflet
of branch ofbarren frond.) 22. Moonwort, (leaflet of barren frond.) 23. Adders-
tongue, (barren frond and seed-bearing spike.) 24. Bracken, (portion of frond.)
25. Brittle Bladder Fern, (branch of frond.) 26. Broad Buckler Fern, (sma
branch of frond.)

I art i
FERN LAND.

INTRODUCTION.

INTRODUCTION

IVEN the free air which, with its buoyant and
life-giving power, roams in sweetness and
purity over mountain and plain, hill-side, meadow,
and stream, and wherever the free gifts of Nature,
far away from the habitations of man, abound in
spontaneous luxuriance. Given the sight of a river
as it rolls through the valley from its mountain
home, fresh from dews and vapours, unsullied by
contact with towns and cities ; or of a streamlet
whose smaller volume winds its silvery thread
through the moorland. Given the sight and sound
of the gurgling brook, as it babbles and sparkles
over stones and shallows, meandering by copse and
through mead. Given the wild paths of the wood
through which to wander free and untrammelled,

6 THE FERN PARADISE.

surrounded by the wealth of glorious trees, soothed
by the soft sounds of insect life, and charmed by
the songs of birds. Given the sweet gifts of plants
and shrubs, of grass and flowers, clothed each and
all with rich and beautiful tints : gifts which the
all-wise Creator has spread out upon the earth
with a splendid liberality, offering them alike to
rich and to poor. Given, we say, all these choice
things, together with a healthy mind in a healthy
body, and he who has them possesses the elements
of physical enjoyment.

But all cannot share such enjoyment. To some,
Nature is like a sealed book ; and these cannot sip
from the cup which, overflowing with pleasure, she
holds up as a free gift to mankind. Pent up,
perhaps, in the heart of a great city, walled in from
all that is beautiful in Nature, their eyes are never
gladdened by the sight of woods, green fields, and
sweet wild-flowers ; their ears are never charmed
by the songs of birds that roam free and untamed
among their native covers. To them the fresh
breeze laden with soft perfumes never comes.
Hard toil in city workshops, squalid homes in city

INTRODUCTION. 7

slums, privation and suffering of every kind, are
their lot. Others there are — dwellers also in towns
and cities— who can at times, though rarely, snatch
a few hours from their toilsome labours for a brief
glimpse at the beautiful in Nature. Others again
there are who can devote longer periods to the
relaxation and enjoyment afforded by a ramble
across country meads and through country lanes,
by the silvery waters of the flowing brook, and
through the shady woodland.

There are still a great many others whose oppor-
tunities for enjoying the country are unlimited.
Time and money are at their disposal, and if they
do not live in the country, they can at any time and
at any season transport themselves thither. To
each and to all, to the rich as well as to the poor,
and to one no more than to the other, God offers
the bounties of the natural world. But how
different are the degrees of appreciation of these
bounties on the part of those who share them !
How keen is the enjoyment of those who can
find—

" Books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in everything !"

8 THE FERN PARADISE.

The book of Nature is indeed beautiful to those
who can read it ; but those who cannot read it all
can read a part of it. Some of its stones are full
of sweet simplicity. Page after page can sometimes
be turned, and the reader will encounter nothing
to dismay him ; nothing even to puzzle him. But
the simple study of Nature is too frequently made
a hard task by those who profess to teach. Botany
is one of the most beautiful of natural studies,
because it tells us all about the glorious vegetation
which springs up from the earth.

Yet a.re there not thousands who do not under-
stand botany ? To some the study is too difficult.
Others can find no opportunities for pursuing it.
But all would like to know something of the beau-
tiful vegetable world ; something less — less formal,
less difficult — than what is usually to be found in
books, and something more than can be learned
from the mute language — eloquent nevertheless in
its muteness — of the plants themselves. Why is it
that so few attempts are made to render popular
the study of plants ? Our artists on paper and
:anvas attempt to reproduce the gorgeous colouring

INTRODUCTION. 9

of Nature's garments. Why cannot our writers
give us word-painting in their description of plants,
instead of using only the unpoetic language of
science ? Why cannot more of the grace and beauty
with which the Creator has endowed the natural
world be reproduced in books ?

Amongst the most graceful and beautiful of the
many lovely forms of vegetable life are the ferns.
Of plants -they are the least prosaic. Representing
the beauty of form as distinguished from the gor-
geousness of colouring, they are endowed with a
tender and romantic grace. To study them is one
of the most popular of pursuits, to cultivate them
has become a popular passion. But thousands more
would be added to the great host of fern-lovers if
fern-literature were not so difficult to understand,
and so unattractive.

The tourist makes a dive into a country lane.
Charmed with the varied and glorious forms of
fern-life which he meets, he resolves to study the
objects which have had so pleasing a fascination
for him. He obtains a fern-book; but after reading
two or three pages he wearily throws it aside.

lo THE FERN PARADISE.

Should it chance to contain coloured engravings
of his favourites, he may linger for a few moments
over it ; but when he has once scanned the
artist's efforts, he has seen all that he desires to
see.

It is the old story. The language of science, as
generally rendered by our scientific writers, is a
language for the few, and science will never be
popular until it is popularly taught. "The lan-
guage of flowers " has been taught ; cannot an
attempt be made to teach the language of ferns ?

These beautiful plants seem to be especially
designed for universal cultivation, for even the
tiniest of the species in each of the numerous
wonderful and exquisitely formed seed-cases con-
cealed at the back of its fronds bears countless
myriads of seeds. The common kinds of ferns —
common only in the sense of being plentiful — are
to be found almost everywhere ; but the home of
our native ferns is Devonshire — "the Garden of
England."

FERN LAND.

CHAPTER I.

FERN LAND.

A MIDST all our English counties, Devonshire
stands unrivalled for the exquisite loveli-
ness of its scenery. Few of those who have
climbed its bold heights, crossed its rugged moor-
lands, and wandered through its shady woods and
its delightful green lanes, will be inclined to dis-
pute this assertion, however familiar they may be
with English landscapes. It is the marvellous
variety of its scenery which constitutes the peculiar
charm of this county — the rugged boldness of its
many hills contrasting with the soft grace of its
valleys. Its majestic coast-lines tower grandly up
against the sky, both on its north and on its south
seaboard — now frowning with barren but lofty
grandeur at the waves, now clothed from the highest

14 THE FERN PARADISE.

point of the cliff to the water's edge with one deep
dark mass of vegetation. But there is not even a
grand monotony in the lines of noble cliffs along
the coast of Devonshire. There is no monotony at
all, for the grand rocks sink at intervals, to give
place to magnificent bays, which sweep gracefully
from cliff's point to cliff's point, and help to fling
over the coast scenery of this, the most beautiful
of English counties, the same aspect of variety
which is its most charming characteristic.

Those only who have explored the Devonshire
coast along the Bristol Channel on the north, and
along the English Channel on the south, and who
are also familiar with the interior of the county,
can properly realise the extreme magnificence of
its landscapes. But we believe that thousands of the
tourists who annually visit the western " Garden
of England" — for Devonshire well deserves that
name — whilst deeply impressed with the general
loveliness of the county, nevertheless find it diffi-
cult to explain what it is that lends the peculiar
character of softness and grace to the scenery. Here
is the secret. The whole county is richly and luxu-

FERN LAND. 15

riantly clothed with ferns. The number and variety
of the most exquisite forms of these beautiful plants
to be found in Devonshire are equalled by those of
no other county in the United Kingdom. Devon-
shire is emphatically the " paradise " of the British
ferns. There they are in very truth at home. The
soil and the air are adapted to them, and they adapt
themselves to the whole aspect of the place. They
clothe the hill-sides and the hill-tops ; they grow in
the moist depths of the valleys ; they fringe the
banks of the streams ; they are to be found in the
recesses of the woods ; they hang from rocks and
walls and trees, and crowd into the towns and vil-
lages, fastening themselves with sweet familiarity
even to the houses.

Devonshire abounds in warm, moist, and shady
nooks ; and ferns delight in warmth, moisture, and
shade. Though they love the warmth, they avoid
the sun, and when accidentally exposed to its full
influence, their delicate fronds become shrivelled
and discoloured. Yet these beautiful plants do
occasionally coquet with the tiny sunbeam which
may perchance find its way through some crevice

1 6 THE FERN PARADISE.

in their cool rocky home, or through the thick
foliage of the hedge-row under whose darkest shade
they love to grow. But even the ferns are change-
able in their moods, and fickle in their attachments,
differing from one another in their habits and
modes of growth. Some members of the lovely
family will boldly grow in situations where, perched
on rocky corners, away from the cool shelter of
overhanging shrubs, they are exposed to the full
blaze of the sun, and roughly blown upon by the
wild force of the wind. Others only seek to bathe
the tips of their delicate fronds in sunshine, hiding
all beside under damp masses of foliage. Others
again will bear the sunlight if they can just find a
refuge for their roots in the damp hedge-bank, in
the moist crevices of walls and ruins, or amidst the
interlaced branches of trees. There are others
still which hide where not even the tiniest ray of
sunlight can pierce the dark retreat which they
choose, and where they can revel in soft and humid
warmth. But all ferns, even the sunniest of the
modest family, love moisture and shade the best,
and though they will sometimes grow in the full

FERN LAND. 17

sunlight, become developed into their most mature
forms in cool and shady situations.

It is, then, the beautiful and unrivalled forms of
fern-life which fling over Devonshire scenery its
almost indescribable charm. Peer at low tide
into yon dark and dripping cavern which yawns
upon the sea ! The bright sunshine that dances
upon the rippling waves pauses at the cavern's
mouth, as if not daring to penetrate its gloomy
depths. But just one tiny gleam of light has
ventured to cross the threshold, and sparkling on
the dripping water, it flashes through the opaque
blackness a kind of electric light. As the water
falls, drip ! drip ! into the pool below, the light
increases, and then — oh, glorious sight ! — you see at
the side and on the roof of this lonesome sea-cave
the beautiful Sea-spleenwort (Asplenium marimtm),
hiding its roots in the cavern-walls, and spreading
out its bright green and shining fronds, that they
may luxuriate in the dark humidity of its chosen
retreat. Or peer over yonder cliff, whose inacces-
sible sides overhang the seething waves! Look
closely into the shady cleft which nestles under

2

1 8 THE FERN PARADISE.

yon projecting spur ! There you may see, far out
of your reach, one of the most rare and exquisite of
the British ferns — the Maidenhair (Adiantum ca-
pillus-veneris). Could you venture near enough to
grasp it in your hand, you would indeed recognise
that it is one of the most beautiful of plants. Its
fine black wiry frond-stems, like a dark maiden's
hair — it is most appropriately named, — rise in
clusters from its crown, the main frond-stems
being branched with smaller and more beautiful
hair-like stems, which bear upon their tender
points the delicate light-green fan-shaped leaflets.
Wandering through the cool lanes of Devonshire
3'ou may, too, meet with the fragrant hay-scented
Buckler Fern (Lastrea cemuld), which emits so beau-
tiful an odour when pressed in the hand ; with the
delicately and transparently-leaved Marsh Buckler
Fern (Lastrea thelypteris] ; with the Mountain
Buckler Fern (Lastrea montand), whose silvery
fronds make the air fragrant when you tread upon
them in their incipient unrolled state. But these
varieties are not to be commonly encountered in
every Devonshire lane. And still rarer — though

FERN LAND. 19

found in Devonshire — are the Lanceolate Spleen-
wort (Asplenium lanceolatum), the tiny Forked
Spleenwort (Asplenium septentrionale], the Tun-
bridge Filmy Fern (Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense),
and Wilson's Filmy Fern (Hymenophyllum Wil-
soni). The Moonwort (Botrychium lunaria), and
the Common Adders-tongue (Ophioglossum vul-
gatnin}, are also ferns of Devonshire growth. We do
but enumerate these, and pass on to speak of some
of the ferns which may be seen in almost every
Devonshire lane, and which, although common in
the sense of being plentiful, are nevertheless
amongst the most beautiful of the British ferns.
Yet beautiful as are the varieties of which we shall
speak, they are within the reach of all who may
choose to gather them, and that is our reason for
devoting especial attention to these varieties.

Gentle reader, will you follow us in imagination
whilst we endeavour to describe to you some Devon-
shire lanes which are familiar to us ? And please
remember that, exquisitely beautiful as they are,
they are nevertheless but types of thousands of
other lanes that the ordinary tourist may find for

20 THE FERN PARADISE.

himself, in his rambles after ferns in "the Fern-
paradise " of England. When we have attempted to
describe these lanes, and have noted the ferns which
we shall find in them, we will try to show you how
ivery one may have in his own home, wherever
chȣ may be, a real " fern-paradise."

A PARADISE OF FERNS.

CHAPTER II.

A PARADISE OF FERNS.

A WAY into the heart of a Devonshire lane !
The time is midsummer, and the hot sun is
pouring down his rays with burning intensity. But
in yonder lane trees on each hedge that bounds the
narrow pathway shoot up against the sky, and fold-
ing over at the top, shut out with their glorious
masses of leaves the fiery heat. Beneath, the cool-
ness is delicious, and the verdant foliage which
bounds the view on every side, tempts the ena-
moured tourist to plunge into the depths of this
cool retreat. But the walk through it must be a
saunter, because its many and varied forms of
fern-life should be examined to be enjoyed.

We will not generalise. We will paint no imagi-
nary picture, but we will just describe our own

24 THE FERN PARADISE.

impressions of two Devonshire lanes which, amongst
scores of others, we recently visited during the
summer. We might be pardoned for giving a glow-
ing description of the scenery of our native county;
but ours will be no " glowing " description in the
sense in which the word is used to mean exaggerated.
No verbal description can accurately convey to the
mind a fair and true picture of the exquisite love-
liness of the green lanes to which we refer. The
most brilliant word-painting would pale before the
reality. Roughly, during our summer visit to
Devonshire, we noted down our impressions of what
we saw, and we will endeavour to reproduce those
impressions on paper.

We must premise that, although the town in
South Devon, of which we would speak, can of
itself claim no especial notice, the scenery in its
neighbourhood is surpassed by that of no other
part of Devonshire. It is on " the English Rhine " ;
for the Dart is the only English river which can
claim that high distinctive title.

From the brow of a hill whose summit, about a
mile from the town, commands a magnificent

A PARADISE OF FERNS. 25

prospect of hill, dale, and river, two lanes run
down, uniting in a point at the hill-top, but spread-
ing away from each other as they sweep down-
wards towards the river's brink.

On leaving the town in the vicinity of the Quay
the road turns round to the right, passes between
high moss-covered walls, and after a short and
sharp ascent for a few yards, suddenly wheels
round to the left, and narrows into the dimensions
of a lane. Turning for a moment before continuing
the ascent, we get a lovely peep of the cluster of
houses lying just a little below us, with the church
spire rising grandly up in their midst.

Now — wending upwards — the path narrows still
more between high hedges which rise on each side.
Two or three more graceful bendings to right and
to left, and then our lane suddenly widens as if to
invite the tourist to pause in his ascent, and turn
round.

The view will well repay a look, for a charming
sight is spread out below — hill-side and valley, town
and river.

Upwards — narrowing as it goes — winds the lane.

26 THE FERN PARADISE.

And now, for a moment, the bright valley
which we have left below us is forgotten in the
new sight which refreshes the eye. Hitherto
the sunlight has shone upon the path ; but here
our lane becomes suddenly darkened as it creeps
under the shadow of higher hedge-banks, and of
overhanging trees. Just one glance through a
breach in the shady mound which helps to shut
out the sunshine, and the eye will catch a lovely
glimpse of the hill-side sloping down into the
valley below. The bright peep charmingly con-
trasts with the dark depths of the lane. But in
this dark and cool retreat fern-life is predominant.
On the right the thick hedge is covered with an
almost impenetrable mass of bushes, which rise
high above its top, shedding upon it the dimness of
evening twilight. Growing out against the dark
background of bushes are some luxuriant speci-
mens of the Common Hartstongue (Scolopendrium
vulgare), one of the most easily recognisable of the
British ferns, with its crumpled tongue-shaped frond,
growing sometimes to the length — stem and frond
together — of three feet. The thick and rich-looking

A PARADISE OF FERNS. 27

yet leathery texture of the fronds of the Harts-
tongue, with their deep and shining green colour,
make them look exquisitely cool and refreshing,
rising up out of the dark hedge-bank as they do in
thick and clustering tufts — sometimes almost erect,
at other times gracefully bending backwards their
shining leathery tips. Underneath the curling
tongue-shaped fronds, lie the curious rows of seeds
(spores), whose rich reddish-brown colour beauti-
fully contrasts with the deep shining green of the
frond.

The Hartstongue is a bold free plant. You will
find it growing almost everywhere in Devonshire :
on the tops and at the sides of walls ; hanging from
old ruins ; growing out from the sides of cliffs and
deserted quarries; dropping down its long green
fronds into the cool and limpid water of road-side
wells hewn out of the rock : often exposed to the full
blaze of the sun, but always in such cases dwindled
down to a tiny size. The Hartstongue is to be
found in almost every conceivable form, from a tiny
thing of half an inch in length, when growing on a
bare dry wall, to a plant which is one rich thick

28 THE FERN PARADISE.

mass of delightful curling fronds, each one a yard
long, when growing in a moist bed of leaf-mould in
the dark recess of some hedge.

Far out of our reach on the top of the high
hedge-bank, are some noble specimens of the Male
Fern (Lastrea filix-mas), so called from its erect
and robust manner of growth. From the crown,
densely covered with rust-coloured scales, spring
up a close circle of beautiful fronds, whose under
surface is thickly covered with the scales which are
so prominent a characteristic of this noble-looking
fern. There it grows, perched shuttle-cock fashion
on the top of the hedge, the points of its fronds
gracefully turned outwards, its crown resting just
above the surface of leaf-mould, into the depths of
which its long fine roots are plunged. The whole
plant rests under the cool shadow of the trees. For
years this hedge-bank has evidently been left un-
touched, and the annual crops of leaves falling from
tree and bush, have piled up on it a rich mass of
pure vegetable mould, in which the ferns delight to
grow.

In this same spot, and growing side by side with

A PARADISE OF FERNS. 29

the Hartstongue and Male Fern, are to be found
specimens of two other of the large-growing species
of the British ferns — the Broad Buckler Fern
(Lastrea dilatata], and the Soft Prickly Shield
Fern (Polystichum angiilare). Both, when finely
grown, are most splendid objects. The former is
one of the most handsome of our native ferns, its
broad arching fronds sweeping upwards and out-
wards with exquisite grace, and sometimes attain-
ing like the Male Fern, to which it is closely allied,
a height of four or five feet. The chief character-
istic of the Soft Prickly Shield Fern is the minute
and beautiful manner in which its fronds are divided
into small angular-shaped saw-edged leaflets. It
is often densely clothed with rich brown scales,
which contrast finely with the dark deep green of
its fronds.

Turning now away from the dark shelter of
overhanging trees, the pathway, wending upwards
still, passes between high hedges, whose dark and
tangled vegetation almost meets overhead. Here,
shooting up majestically from the deep rich soil
of the hedge-bank, are some Brakes (Pteris

30 THE FERN PARADISE.

aquilina). These are the giants of the British fern
family, growing in their branching tree-like form
to a height sometimes of ten feet. Peering into
the dark depths of the hedges on either side, we
discover trailing out of the close masses of ivy
which encircle the gnarled and matted roots of the
trees, the pretty fronds of the Polypody (Polypo-
dium vulgar e). The Polypody, like the Harts-
tongue, will grow almost anywhere — on walls, in
hedge-banks, and on trees ; but it becomes a puny
plant when growing in dry, hot, and exposed situa-
tions. It delights most to nestle amongst the
twisted branches of the pollard-tree. There its
creeping fleshy roots, feeding on the rich leaf-mould
which collects in the crevices between the matted
roots of ivy, love to hide, and from these moist
nooks are sent out numerous tufts of bright green,
narrow, lance-shaped fronds — a stem, a midrib with
alternate lance-shaped leaflets, each leaflet mid-
ribbed in its turn, and beautifully veined through-
out ; the round golden masses of spores — each
mass collected in lines on the backs of the leaflets
— giving to the plant a beautiful appearance.

A PARADISE OF FERNS. 31

Our lane still winds onwards and upwards, now
widening as if to afford a prospect of the rich scenery
lying below us, now sinking between high hedges,
which get higher and higher as the steep path
contends with the steeper hill. At length we reach
the brow of the acclivity, and turning round, we
can command one of the finest prospects in all
England. Away straight below us lie clustering
houses, beautifully embowered in orchards and
fruit-gardens, with the church spire rising calmly up
above the whole. On the right of the town, still
away below us, the eye delightedly rests on a wide
extent of undulating meadows and tree-covered
uplands. Beyond, the wooded uplands rise steeper
and steeper, until in the dim horizon a line of lofty
hills, looming grandly up against the sky, bounds
the view. Far away in the same direction, the
sunlight is reflected from the silvery stream of the
Dart, where, flowing at the feet of two wooded hills,
it brightly contrasts with the dark lines of trees.

To the left of the town, in the dim distance, are
seen the wild moorlands stretching away far over
the country. There the lovely Dart takes its rise,

32 THE FERN PARADISE.

expanding its tiny stream as it moves onward,
until, swollen to a torrent, it roars through deep
ravines, foams over rocks and boulders, and still
coming on ! on ! by wood-crowned heights and
smiling upland meadows, it rolls into sight. Every-
where too, as far as the eye can reach, there is a
grand network of green lanes, giving a marvellous
aspect of diversity to the whole scene.

Two or three steps from the brow of the
hill whence this noble prospect is obtained, a
turning round to the right will lead back to the
town, through a lane which is indeed a veritable
paradise of ferns. The narrow pathway winds
downwards for a full mile between two tall hedges,
whose topmost branches here and there meet over-
head, forming a natural archway, so densely inter-
woven in some places as almost to exclude the
daylight ; now widening sufficiently to form a
delightful green vista, now narrowing until the
hedges on each side almost meet, and there is only
sufficient room for the tourist to brush between
the luxuriant masses of vegetation which spring
out from the hedge-banks. During one part of the

A PARADISE OF FERNS. 33

way the lane runs at the foot of a dark wood.
Then continuing its course it seems almost to sink
down into the depths of the earth, whilst high fern-
covered banks rise on each side. For a part of the
distance a limpid stream trickles down the declivity.
The ground is literally carpeted with grass and
wild flowers ; and everywhere, hanging out of the
pollard trunks, densely clothing the hedge-banks,
and growing along the edge of the trickling stream,
ferns are to be found in countless numbers In
places where the path has been cut deeply through
the soft slate rock, the high banks of the cutting
rise upwards almost perpendicularly, excluding the
sunshine ; and there, in the moist interstices between
the soft fragments of stone, are numerous species
of the rock-loving ferns, luxuriating most in places
where the water is percolating through the surface
of the embankment. Growing in positions where
its tiny crown secures protection under some small
jutting point of rock, is the little Wall-rue (Asple-
nium ruta muraria), a very diminutive fern, with
pretty little fronds. It has a great love for rotten
stone and mortar, and is often found growing on

3

34 THE FERN PARADISE.

the sides of houses. It is a very hardy little
fern, and will thrive in the sunshine, but most
loves moist and sheltered nooks.

Growing by the side of the Wall-rue is the beau-
tiful Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium tricJw-
manes). Its fibrous wiry roots insinuate themselves
into the crevices between the stones, and its crown
throws up a dense mass of beautiful little fronds,
with stems like shining black hairs, and with little
bright green, round, saw-edged leaflets alternately
placed on each side of the stems, along the greater
part of their length. Following the downward course
of the lane we come, in the most cool, damp, and
shady places, upon numbers of the Lady Fern
(Athyrium filix-fcemina), perhaps the most graceful
of the larger British ferns. Its drooping feathery
fronds are indeed, when finely grown, most exqui-
sitely beautiful, and the entire plant forms the
most conspicuous ornament of the places in which
it delights to grow. It throws up its fronds
oftentimes in dense tufts; but it is to be found
in perfection only in very moist and shady situa-
tions.

A PARADISE OF FERNS. 35

Now, as we go downwards, we pass over a tiny
stream crossed by a rude bridge ; and here over-
head the tangled bushes again meet, throwing on
bridge and stream a dark shadow. Down almost
by the water's edge, revelling in the moist and
shady situation, are growing innumerable little
tufts of the Scaly Spleenwort (Asplenium ceterack}.
The Scaly Spleenwort is in truth a most lovely
little plant. The upper surface of the simple saw-
edged frond is dark green ; its texture is like
velvet. Underneath, the surface of the frond is
completely swathed in rich brown scales, where,
snugly hiding, lie the spores.

Here, as we reach the end of this charming
green lane, the exquisite grace and the exceeding
loveliness of the scene appear to blend in one
harmonious whole. We lean over the rude parapet
of the bridge. Trees above us cast a cool shade
upon all round and underneath them. Gurgling
and sparkling along below us the brook babbles on
its way ; now foaming in playful fancy over its tiny
stones ; now smoothly resting in mimic pools ; now
rushing down in a miniature cascade, as its bed

36 THE FERN PARADISE.

falls suddenly out of its smooth and even descent ;
and finally, with a parting "gurgle," disappearing
under the dark arch of the bridge. On all sides,
growing out of the steep bank that bounds the
brook, dropping from the moss-covered sides of the
bridge, perched on the tops of the tiny boulders
that peep out of the water, ferns drop the tips of
their wavy fronds into the cool mirror-like surface
of the stream.

Above, around, beneath us, ferns, ferns, a paradise
of ferns !

FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON.

CHAPTER III.

FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON.

"\ 1 7HAT can be more delightful for the tired
and jaded dwellers in our crowded cities
after dragging on an unhealthy existence during
the long winter months within the domain of
bricks and mortar, than a swift journey away out
of the smoke, the bustle, the din, and the worry
of city life, in the joyous month of May ? A swift
journey it must be, so that the disagreeable
surroundings of the town may be rapidly left
behind and the loveliness of the fields and hedge-
rows may as rapidly burst on the tired eyes —
tired, that is to say, of the stale sight of paved
streets and tall houses, but eager, with an inex-
pressible eagerness, for the trees and green lanes
of the country.

40 THE FERN PARADISE.

And if a journey anywhere to green fields and
green trees be delightful, how much more in-
tensely enjoyable it must be to speed away to
the ferny lanes of Devonshire ! How many of
those, we wonder, who have never visited that
exquisitely beautiful county, can have the smallest
idea of the inexpressible loveliness of its green
and ferny lanes ?

Can we induce those who have never explored
the "garden of England" to do so without delay?
We will at least try. We have in a previous
chapter explained that recently during a summer
visit we roughly noted down our impressions
of two charming green lanes in South Devon.
Our notes were lightly jotted down and thrown
together for two or three short magazine
papers. But we determined to expand our fern
papers so that they might reach the dimen-
sions of a small volume. With this object in
view we needed to obtain fresh materials, and in
order that these might be of the freshest kind,
other visits to the delightful lanes of Devonshire
would be necessary. We therefore decided that

FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON, 41

our plan of operations should be as follows.
Selecting Totnes — perhaps the most beautiful spot
in South Devon — as our head-quarters, we deter-
mined that we would from that centre explore
some of the ferny lanes, streams, woods, and
moorlands in its vicinity, naming the places
visited, enumerating the ferns growing there, and
giving descriptions of the scenery. No choicer
spot for the passionate lover of ferns can be found
anywhere in Great Britain than in the neighbour-
hood of Totnes, whose houses are picturesquely
dotted about on the banks of the lovely Dart, the
most beautiful river in all England. There are to
be found ferns of many kinds, in every graceful
variety of growth, exquisite in form and shading,
and in countless numbers.

Totnes pays homage to the ferns. Everywhere
in and about the little town these beautiful plants
hold sway. How can we describe the place ? We
shall not even attempt any exact description.
It is on a hill and yet in a valley. Climb
the road that forms its main street, extending
from the Dart Bridge which divides Totnes from

42 THE FERN PARADISE.

Bridgetown, to " the top of the town," and you will
say that Totnes is built on a steep hill. But just
climb through the delightful lanes which mount to
Totnes Down Hill, and look at the lovely little
town ! It appears to nestle in the extreme depth
of a valley. But the explanation is here : Totnes
is built on the hillocks, and the hills soar above it.
And these hillocks are charming, small as they
look when viewed from the heights above.

Imagine a series of little hills, or rather
a mingling of little hills and little valleys !
Imagine a cluster of houses built upon this com-
bination of hill and valley ! Imagine an inter-
mingling of paved streets and green lanes, of
houses, delightful villas and fruit-gardens !
Imagine walking out of old-fashioned streets
filled with old-fashioned houses, into paved ways
which seem to go everywhere, up hill and down
dale, between high walls covered with wall-ferns,
wall-flowers, and mosses ! Imagine yourself walk-
ing along all sorts of terraced roads at every con-
ceivable height above the river level — houses being
above you, beneath you, around you ! Imagine

FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON. 43

bricks and mortar placed at a disadvantage in a
contest with sites that are so charmingly rural as
to make you feel that they could never have been
intended to be built upon ! Imagine, finally, a
queer intermingling of town and country, with ferns
growing on the houses and on the garden walls,
and meeting you at every corner wherever you
turn ! Such is Totnes ; and from every part of the
little town — at the top, at the bottom, and on
each side — you may get away into the most
delightful country. Here is some description of
a ramble from Totnes along one of the lovely
routes which are spread out like network on every
side.

About half way up the main street of the town,
and within a few feet of the spot where, tradition
says, Brutus landed — the sea then reaching to this
elevated point on the hill-side — a road leads sharply
round to the right. You are nearly midway on
the hill, amongst the houses, almost in the heart of
the town. But you may, as it were, dive out of
it into the road aforesaid, which will suddenly lead
you away amongst groves and green fields, woods

44 THE FERN PARADISE.

and streams, in the direction of the picturesque
town of Ashburton. But three miles from
Totnes, along the Ashburton Road, and three
miles back again through Dartington Wood, will
be a delight and a study of the rarest kind for
the fern lover.

Just a short description of the delightful
suburbs at this part of Totnes before we disappear
under the canopy of green trees that in a few
moments will shut out the pretty little town. We
cross a brook which skirts a flower-bespangled
meadow, and flows darkly on by the side of a
shady thicket. Then we plunge under a grove of
elms, and emerging from these catch a fine view of
church, castle, and town, sweeping upwards to the
left along an upland, on which orchards and fruit-
gardens also nestle. Then we near the railway
station, and are greeted by the " puff " of a passing
train on crossing the railway bridge. One moment
more, and town and railway are hid from view as
we get away into the green and winding road to
Ashburton. A little further on we mount a hill,
and turning round we may catch a last peep of the

FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON. 45

town nestling down a little below us, the houses
just seen between the leafy interstices of the
arching trees which overhang the road we have
already passed. High up in these same trees the
blue sky peeps at us through an opening, the
blue being however momentarily obscured by the
steam which is puffed up from the station yard.
Such little incidents are somewhat trivial, but
the tourist knows how much life they some-
times add to a scene. They in fact make up
much of the difference between the picture and the
reality. A town without motion or sign of human
existence would be dull and uninteresting to look
upon, however picturesque it might otherwise be ;
and trees and fields and streams without moving
life, however rich in colouring and grand in aspect,
would lose more than half their charms. But we
must not digress.

About a mile from the town our road com-
mences to skirt one side of the Dartington Wood
on the right. The sun is shining brightly, but at
this spot arching trees on each side of us envelop
the path in dark shadows. A little distance

46 THE FERN PARADISE.

further on, we reach a point in the road where
a rushing stream comes out of and flows for some
distance by the side of the wood. The scenery
at this spot is beautiful almost beyond descrip-
tion. All who admire sylvan loveliness should visit
it. A rude rustic bridge crosses the stream and
gives access to a narrow, steep and winding path
which leads up into the dusky recesses of the
wood. When we travelled the route we are de-
scribing, it was May. On the right of the rustic
bridge, and almost overshadowing it, a large haw-
thorn bush was white with blossom, and scented
the air all around with its delicious fragrance.
Below us, the stream was rapidly eddying, waving
the weeds and wild growth that sprung up from its
bed. Just in front, a sudden fall in the level of
the stream caused the gurgle and foamy splash of
a tiny waterfall. A sloping bank led down on the
right from the road to the water's surface, covered
— in such splendid luxuriance as is everywhere
to be seen in Devonshire — with tall, rich, delight-
ful green grass intermingled with the dark green
fronds of the Hartstongue, and the handsome

FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON. 47

shuttlecock-shaped fronds of noble specimens of
the Male Fern. The left banks of the brook hung
far over the water, the bushes, ivy, and moss-covered
branches of trees which crowned them affording
cool, dark, and moist nooks for the ferns, whose
exquisite fronds, dropping gracefully over the
stream in splendid clusters, lapped it with their
beautiful tips.

Beyond the bridge the stream flows for a short
distance under the dark shadows of the wood,
winding, falling, splashing, and foaming as it
hurries along out of sight. The peep in this
direction is delightful. Trees above, — moss-
covered, ivy-covered branches ; some gnarled, and
others fresh and vigorous : trees on each side, all
densely clothed with their fresh and glorious May
dress. The clear brook reflects the shadows of
trees and shrubs, and becomes dimly seen as it
disappears under the dark vista of the wood.
This vista, formed of the delightfully intermingled
branches of the trees overhead, presents the most
charming peep. The matted branches, green limbs
and twigs, would fairly exclude the light, were it not

48 THE FERN PARADISE.

that at the darkest and densest part of the canopy
slight openings afford a view of the sky, and
whilst they admit the softened sun-rays, give
the prospect of a beautiful wood-crowned hill,
rising upwards beyond the delightful canopy,
which hangs so gracefully over the clear and
glancing waters of the brook.

For some little distance the stream runs by the
side of the road we are following, until when
the latter takes a sudden turn to the right, it
disappears under a stone bridge, re-appearing
for a brief space and then being finally lost as it
flows away across the meadows. Peer over the
side of the bridge and you will find little tufts
of that beautiful fern, the Common Maidenhair
Spleenwort ; also the tiny Wall-rue, and small speci-
mens of the Hartstongue. You will rarely find a
Devonshire bridge, unless it be quite a new structure,
without its complement of ferns — the rock, or stone-
and-mortar-loving species. Whether it be a river
bridge, or a tiny arch that crosses a brook, its sides
are almost certain to possess at least one kind, often
many, of the moisture-loving plants. No doubt it

FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON. 49

is the moist atmosphere produced by the flowing
water underneath which gives encouragement to
the ferns. Sometimes a river arch is densely
covered with many varieties of ferns. You will often
find the Polypody, the Hartstongue, the Wall-
rue, the Scaly Spleenwort, the common Maidenhair
Spleemvort, the Black Maidenhair Spleenwort,
growing together on bridge sides. But the speci-
mens of Hartstongue are invariably diminutive
when growing on walls, rocks, or bridge arches.
The Black Maidenhair Spleenwort, unquestionably
one of the most beautiful of the fern family, is also
usually found to be stunted when growing on the
bare open side of a rock, wall, or bridge arch.
It nevertheless delights in stones ; but then the
stones and rocks must be in the shade, and
covered by overhanging bushes. A little way
from the stone bridge already mentioned, on the
road between Totnes and Ashburton, in the slate
rock side of a hedge-bank, we caught sight of a
tuft of the Black Maidenhair, growing in a con-
spicuous position. We felt persuaded that other
specimens would be near. One portion of the slate

4

50 THE FERN PARADISE.

rock was hid by bushes that closed over it Pressing
these on one side, we found as we had expected
an unusually fine plant of our Spleenwort, its roots
being firmly imbedded in the layers of slate rock,
which were kept cool and moist by the shelter of
the bushes. Where this fern is to be found, you
will always find the largest and most luxuriant
specimens in the darkest and dampest corners.
No fern shuns the light more than the graceful
and beautiful Aspleniwn adiantum nigrum. It is a
great favourite of ours, and cannot, we think, fail
to be admired by all fern lovers. It is hardy
too, and will well repay in cultivation a very
small amount of care and attention.

It is astonishing how many delightful green
lanes abut on to the high roads in Devonshire:
lanes so temptingly beautiful that you feel you
cannot pass without exploring them, for, at least,
some little distance. We espied such a lane when,
on the road we are describing, we reached the top
of the hill, on the other side of which lay Staverton
Bridge. This lane turns out of the road on the
right, and we explored it for a short distance.

FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON. 51

A few yards from the entrance, a bend in the
lane hid its further course from view. But the
peep just where it disappeared was charming.
The overhanging trees, the lovely hedge-banks,
and the carpeting of grass and wild flowers,
all lent a peculiar and shadowy grace to the
vista between, forming what may not inappro-
priately be styled a sort of verdant twilight On
the fresh green hedge-banks near us were
numerous specimens of the Male Fern, the Harts-
tongue, the Soft Prickly Shield Fern, and small
plants of the Bracken, delightfully intermingled
with ivy, moss, and wild hyacinths.

A little further on the road we found the tops
of the hedges on each side crowned with number-
less tall specimens of the Bracken, and presenting
a peculiarly graceful and beautiful appearance.
At a short distance from this place, the road
suddenly descends as it bends sharply round to
the right. At this point a beautiful view of the
valley lying below on the left, with its wooded
bottoms, its orchards, and its meadows is revealed ;
here and there houses picturesquely dotted about,

52 THE FERN PARADISE.

and away in the high background the green
hills. Immediately next the road, and on the first
slope of the descent into the valley, there was a
small orchard, in which the Brakes grew so
thickly and luxuriantly as to touch the tips of
the fruit trees, and give a most singular and
romantic aspect to the scene.

Now the view again changes in true Devonshire
fashion as we pass onward ; our road rapidly
descends ; Dartington Wood rising high on the
right, and a low thicket spreading away to the
left, under the moist shadow of which some of the
commoner kinds of ferns grow plentifully. Lower
still goes our road, whilst trees on each side rise
higher and higher, overlapping at the tops. In
a few minutes we emerge from their shadows on
to Staverton Bridge, and the lovely scene changes
once -more. Here the stream of the beautiful
Dart darkly and quietly flows under the curious
old arches of the bridge. In midstream, on the
left, there is an islet clothed with dwarfed shrubs.
Over an upland on the left bank of the river,
trees sweep grandly down to the water's surface.

FERNY RAMBLES IN SOUTH DEVON. 53

The Dart is seen in this direction only for a short
distance before it winds away on its course. From
the point where it is lost to view the eye delightedly
roams over the hills which bound the horizon. On
the ivy-covered sides of Staverton Bridge may be
found many fine specimens of the beautiful Scaly
Spleenwort, the larger ones placed, however, where
they are somewhat difficult to obtain, without
some amount of skilful management. The pretty
little Wall-rue is also to be had here, and the
bridge parapet and sides are also ornamented by
the fronds of the common Polypody.

And now to return to Totnes through Dartington
Wood, we must retrace our steps for about 200
yards, until we reach the edge of the wood. Here
a gate admits us on to a steep ascent, at the top
of which we enter a bridle path which leads away
round to the right, under the dark shadow of the
trees. Presently we are fairly buried in the wood,
the trees in which rise high on each side of our
path and arch over us. From the left comes the
roar of the unseen Dart, as it rushes by somewhere
on the verge of the wood. Under the copse on the

54 THE FERN PARADISE.

same side are some splendid ferns : grand specimens
of the Broad Buckler Fern, of the purple-stemmed
Lady Fern ; Male Ferns in abundance, many of
them standing four feet high ; and numbers of the
Hard Fern, finely developed. The luxuriance of
the ferns in this part of the wood is no matter
for surprise ; for the ground consists of soft,
spongy, leaf-mould, a soil in which the fern
family mostly delight. Leaving the wood we
pass across an open meadow ; and then for a
long distance we skirt a park wall, where,
under the shadow of overhanging trees, grow
the Scaly Spleenwort, the Wall-rue, the common
Maidenhair Spleenwort, the Black Maidenhair
Spleenwort, and small specimens of the Harts-
tongue. From this wall the path follows on
through the grounds of Dartington Hall, and
pursuing it, after getting some delightful peeps of
wood and river scenery, we find ourselves again
at Totnes.

THE FERNY MOORLANDS.

CHAPTER IV.

THE FERNY MOORLANDS.

r I ^HE grandeur of the Devonshire moorland
scenery almost defies description. The
fern hunter, searching for his favourites amongst
the ferny haunts of the "fern paradise," will
derive the keenest enjoyment from a ramble
on the moors. Away from the town on the
mountain side, with the free blue sky overhead,
surrounded by wooded steeps which descend
swiftly to the valleys below ! Or away in those
valleys where the boulder-strewn beds of the
rushing moorland streams send forth their wild
music to the delighted ear : wandering from hill-
side to valley, and from valley to hill-top, drinking
in with that inexpressibly acute sense of pleasure
which the jaded town dweller can alone experience

58 THE FERN PARADISE.

in its full perfection, the enjoyments which are
alone to be found where —

u Boon nature scatters, free and wild,
Each plant or flower, the mountain's child ! "

From Totnes to Newton Abbot; then on to
Teigngrace and Bovey, and thence away by Lust-
leigh, to the borders of Dartmoor and Moreton-
hampstead. Following this route, we one day
made for the moors, in order to explore the
ferny borders of Fingle Bridge, of Lustleigh
Cleave, and of Horseman's Steps. It is, indeed, a
grand series of views which that route presents ;
and a great and glorious wealth of ferns, in vary-
ing hues of exquisite green, will reward a careful
search.

The line from Totnes to Newton runs through
a series of deep cuttings through the hills. Now
the high sides of the cuttings shut out the sky :
now a tunnel shows that the sudden rise in the
hills, which lay in the path of the railway, had
made an open cutting impossible. As we are
about to emerge from the darkness of the tunnel,
we may see under the moist shadow of the arch

THE FERNY MOORLANDS. 59

the deep, dark, shining, green fronds of the Harts-
tongue. Or we may espy specimens of the Black
Maidenhair Spleenwort, of the Wall-rue, or of the
Common Maidenhair Spleenwort. Now the light
increases; but fields and hedge-rows are still shut
out by the steep sandstone and slate rock, from
which, however, high up above our heads cluster
and peep out numerous ferny tufts, looking freshest
and greenest where, from the high level above,
some trickling moisture falls over the steep rock.
Then, for a moment, the high land appears to
recede as the train rushes through some gorge,
leaving hill and cutting behind, and revealing to
the eyes of the delighted passenger the wood-
covered and ferny valley, or the fern-covered
upland slope. A railway is seldom suggestive of
fern-land. The hourly rush of traffic, for pas-
sengers and "goods," reminds one unpleasantly
of the town, and of its hurry and bustle. The
railway — to the lover of nature — mars the free
wild aspect of the woods and fields. But nature
conquers everywhere in Devonshire. Even its
iron-lined roads are subdued by the soften-

60 THE FERN PARADISE.

ing influence of plants and shrubs. The ferns
especially resent the intrusion of the railway
engineers.

Dry, hard, bare cuttings may be made through
the hills ; the turf, heather, and wild Brakes may
be stripped off along the valleys ; the lines may be
laid down, and everything done to make the scene
look as commercial and uninteresting as possible.
But the spontaneous influences which produce
vegetable life will overcome all this. The rain
comes down, and on to the soften'ed earth the grass
seeds blow. Thistle and dandelion will send their
germs in light and airy chariots, and fern spores in
countless numbers will find their way where the
navvy has ruthlessly stripped off the verdant
carpeting to make room for the iron roads. Nature,
indeed, everywhere more or less asserts her sway,
and clothes our roads and railways with her
charming dress ; but it is especially the ferns
with which roads and railways have to contend
in the charming county of Devon — the ferns which
carry everywhere a soft and indescribable grace.
You will always have time to enjoy the lovely

THE FERNY MOORLANDS. 61

peeps of fern-land which are to be obtained be-
tween Totnes and Newton ; for the steep inclines
necessarily render the eight miles of railway journey
between the two places unusually long.

Changing trains at Newton, on our way to the
moors, we were not long in getting to our point
of departure at Moretonhampstead. On this
branch line, twelve miles in length, the changing
scenes are supremely beautiful. During the whole
distance the line passes along a valley which is
preeminently Devonian. It is curious and interest-
ing to watch in the early summer the gradual
substitution of the barren moorland for the cul-
tivated tract. Grand slopes of rich greenwood,
flower-dotted meadows and June corn-crops stand-
ing proudly .up, with rich promise for the autumn
— the light waving green of the stalks and ears
charmingly contrasting with the red and full blown
poppies, which are scattered in patches here and
there — first meet the eye. But the cultivated land
is shorn of no picturesque surroundings : hill, wood,
and river, each with its peculiar Devonshire charm,
intermingle in rich and varying proportions, fling-

62 THE FERN PARADISE.

ing their characteristic grace over the whole. As
we advance, however, cultivation becomes sparse
and sparser still. The heights become too steep
for anything but their own wild growth. There is,
however, even until the unbroken moor is reached,
a grand intermingling of wooded and barren steeps,
of hilly corn-fields, and heather and fern-covered
heights. Then we pause at the extremity of the
branch line to Moretonhampstead.

Now begins the moorland walk, extending away
for some three or four miles to Fingle Bridge.
Along the entire distance there is spread out for
the fern-lover a continual feast. For a short
way the path winds by the side of a meadow,
then crosses, at the end of a small thicket, a
fern-fringed brook; then ascends a steep upland,
and then for two miles it takes a course which
includes all the wild and varied beauties of moor-
land scenery. Now the interchained peaks of
Dartmoor carry the eye away over a grand
stretch of country, the vividly-coloured landscape
losing in freshness, but losing nothing in grandeur,
as the dimness of distance causes it to melt away

THE FERNY MOORLANDS. 63

in shadowy outlines. Now the eye rests on the
graceful scenery which lies immediately contiguous
to the path: huge boulders scattered about on
each side, clothed with moss and ferns ; rugged
hedge-banks formed of slate rock and red sand-
stone teeming with fern-life ; slopes of furze and
heather intermingled with wild flowers. Now the
path descends the hill-side and traverses and lights
on a glade strewn with boulders of all sizes and
shapes, forming a natural rockery, and giving
congenial shelter to the roots of the Bracken,
whose tall fronds are spread out with a wild
grace which no word-painting can adequately
represent.

Along the route which we have indicated, the
fern-hunter may find, in charming variety, the
Common Polypody, the Soft Prickly Shield Fern,
the Male Fern, the Broad Buckler Fern, the Lady
Fern, the Black Maidenhair Spleenwort, the Harts-
tongue, and the Hard Fern.

Few sights can be more grand and imposing
than the view which is to be obtained shortly
after commencing the descent — a mile in length

64 THE FERN PARADISE.

—which sweeps by a winding path down towards
the vale of Fingle Bridge. You have to descend
the densely wooded side of a hill, and the path
along nearly the whole way is overhung by trees.
Peer under the dense wooded cover that extends
on either side of the path, and you may well
admire the splendid growth of the ferns that
revel in the humid shelter of the greenwood.

Following the downward course of the steep
path, a clearance in the trees and a jutting
point of the hill suddenly give the opportunity
for a sight which is sublimely magnificent. You
stand on the height far above the vale of Fingle
Bridge. From your feet, down to the extreme
point of the narrow valley, sweeps a dense mass
of trees, gracefully curving round to the left,
until it is almost met by the lofty wood-
covered hill that rears up grandly against the
sky on the opposite side of the valley. We
have said that the grand and wood-covered,
wood-crowned heights almost meet : their bases
interlace ; but a clear space intervenes between
their tops, giving a marvellous combination of

THE FERNY MOORLANDS. 65

varying moorland scenery in the vista between.
Hills — some densely wooded, others bare and
wild — interlace their tops in a symmetrical net-
work, which stretches away until dimly defined
in the far-off distance. On the right, in varying
terraces which rise towards the sky, is a mixed
landscape of meadow and hedge and tree. Down
far beneath, rushing along under a dark over-
growth of trees, roar the waters of the Teign,
just seen away to the left, where a break in the
canopy of overhanging trees reveals the dark and
foaming current.

Winding round and round to lighten the rough-
ness and steepness of the descent, the path at
length reaches the extreme point of the valley,
and crossing a swift, dark mill-stream, that runs
for a short distance parallel with the Teign,
emerges on to Fingle Bridge. This spot is,
indeed, a chosen land of ferns. To the right
and to the left, away from the arches of the
bridge, the Teign brawls over and between the
granite boulders which are strewn in its bed :
now sparkling in pebbly shallows, now deepen-

5

66 THE FERN PARADISE.

ing into silent pools, now roaring in mimic fury
over miniature falls, now calmly flowing by the
silent banks, which, overhung with the deep green
foliage of river-side shrubs, send forth their waving
fern-fronds to lap the surface of the stream, and
lend to it a graceful and beautiful aspect.

At a short distance to the right of the bridge
the stream is lost from sight; but from its boulder-
strewn, roaring bed the eye is naturally lifted to
the glorious view which is to be seen overhead.
On both sides, almost from the water's brink,
rise two precipitous hills, — the one on the right,
clothed with its dark green mantle, extending
from the surface of the stream to the extreme
hill-top, by the gradation of shrub and bush
and tree; that on the left sparsely covered
with furze and heather ; but both endowed
with a majesty of aspect, which lends a stu-
pendous grandeur to the whole scene. Away
to the left of the bridge a similar scene meets
the eye ; but here both hill-sides which bound
the stream are densely and darkly clothed with
trees, which, sweeping upwards, finely contrast

THE PERNY MOORLANDS. 67

with the delightful blue of the sky, as the hill-
top cuts the sheen. The blue sky, the green
woods, the graceful waving ferns, and the brawl-
ing river, combine to make an exquisite picture.

After a peep at the bridge scenery, we followed
a path which led down to the left, along by the
river side. Huge granite boulders were scattered
about in mid stream ; and some of these, clustered
in the form of a rocky islet, and approachable by
stepping-stones from the river side, offered a dry-
shod passage for the tourist. Here on this boulder
islet we rested for refreshment — the cool stream
flowing on each side, gurgling and splashing and
flashing in the sun, the calm surface of its silent
pools, where the current was pent by the rocks,
being broken only from time to time by the splash
of the rising trout, as they dashed at the flies
which skimmed the surface of the water. From
this point, on the same side of the bridge, a
path skirted for some distance the brawling
course of the stream. We followed this path
for some way. Such a walk as this might well
repay the fern-hunter for a long journey across

68 THE FERN PARADISE.

rugged moorlands. It is really almost impossible
to express in words the keen sense of enjoy-
ment which is experienced during so delightful
a ramble as this river-side path affords.

You thread a narrow path along a grassy
sward. Beneath, the soft, verdant carpeting is
thickly strewn with wild flowers ; above you a
delightful canopy formed of the interlaced branches
of trees, through which the screened sunlight
softly falls. On your right a high embankment,
leading up to a higher path on the hill-side, from
out of which hang tufts of fern-fronds, mingled
in charming variety. Down to your left rolls
the river, whose music joins in chorus with the
songs of the birds, singing, you know not where,
but everywhere around you. As you follow this
charming river-side path, you have from time to
time to press through the dense masses of
shrubs which surround you,— now hanging down
overhead, now springing out from the left, and
now from the right side. The small, but startling,
incidents of the route add a sort of piquancy to
the enjoyment The sudden flutter and the wild

THE FERNY MOORLANDS. 69

cry of a blackbird, as it darts out of the tiny
thicket where its nest is hid ; the rustle in the
high embankment on your right, and the quivering
of the fern-fronds, followed by the sudden flight
across the path of a rabbit, or the rolling, hurrying,
scurrying contortions of a snake, which your un-
expected appearance may have surprised basking
in the tiny gleam of sunshine which has fallen
on to the greensward through an opening in the
trees overhead ; the heavy splash in the river on
your left, as a water-rat, which had not dreamed
of your unwelcome intrusion, takes the shortest
and readiest path to his hole, diving one moment
in one place under the stream, to reappear the
next somewhere else, under the belief that mean-
while you may think that his power of holding his
breath is unlimited ; or the lighter splash of the
trout, as, unaware of your presence, it rises in the
dark, deep pool near you at the tempting palmer
fly that has just dropped from the bushes. All
these sights and sounds contribute to the delight
of this river-side ramble. Or you may rest for a
moment, and, peering cautiously around you, so

70 THE FERN PARADISE.

as not to disturb the free inhabitants of this wood-
land, admire and enjoy their unrestrained move-
ments. The snake will wriggle on to the sunlit
path again ; the rabbit will come quietly out from
his hiding-place ; the rat will return from his hole ;
the trout will skim about on the surface of the
river close to where you are sitting, if your shadow
does not fall across the sunlit pool. As you sit
and rest, you may listen with a deep sense of
enjoyment to the soft buzzings of the insects
which surround you ; and watch the bushes, the
grass, the ground, and the water. Everywhere
there is life — fresh, delightful, enjoyable life.

Such a scene as we have attempted to describe
is not imaginary. It is real and tangible. Who
that has visited Devonshire has not experienced
the varied and varying sensations of a ramble so
essentially Devonian ?

After pursuing this river-side path for some
little distance, we reached the waterfall, where
a division in the river makes provision for the
stream which drives the mill at Fingle Bridge.
Close by the fall there is a light and open planta-

THE FERNY MOORLANDS. 71

tion of small trees, and underneath these there is
a tiny forest of ferns. The Brakes in glorious
luxuriance clothe the ground; splendid forms of
the Male Fern also abound in this wood. The
dark stream which flows by the wood is fringed
with the most beautiful specimens of the Lady
Fern, of all sizes. There also is to be obtained
the lemon-scented Mountain Buckler Fern. We
saw a number of these lovely plants. It was
no wonder that the ferns in this delightful
grove were so luxuriant, for the soil consisted of
nothing but sponyg, sandy leaf-mould. The soft
and exquisitely-beautiful scenery in, around, and
above this charming wood it is almost impossible
to describe. The ground covered with waving
fern-fronds ; on one side the foaming waterfall,
on the other the river with its fern-fringed banks ;
above, the interlaced tops of the trees in the
grove, through which might be seen the grand
wood-covered hills which shut in the prospect
all round, and, towering up against the blue sky,
seemed almost to fold over like a delightful
canopy, with a grandeur that cannot be described.

72 THE FERN PARADISE.

From Fingle Bridge back to Moretonhampstead,
along the intricate moorland path. From More-
tonhampstead to Horseman's Steps, across four
miles of delightful country, and through ferny
valleys, up ferny hills, and through ferny lanes.
This was our route on the day of our visit to the
ferny borders of Dartmoor; You reach, near the
Horseman's Steps, a solitary cottage, perched in
a charming nook. Close by the cottage walls
the North Bovey River, pent into a narrrow bed,
roars over the big boulders that choke up its
course. Here you have the charming combination
of waterfall, cascade, and silent pool. The huge
masses of granite which are thrown down along
this stream, are in many places delightfully car-
peted with moss, whose deep and light-green
colouring looks charmingly fresh where the limpid
water flows over or near it. A short distance
from this spot are the far-famed Horseman's
Steps. The narrow course of the North Bovey
River is here completely blocked up by enormous
masses of granite, and you can only see the stream
by peering down between interstices in the rocks.

THE FERNY MOORLANDS. 73

But you can hear it thundering along in its almost
subterranean channel. A small tract of marsh
land intervenes between the Horseman's Steps
and Lustleigh Cleave ; and here you may find,
along by the course of the North Bovey River,
numbers of the Mountain Buckler Fern, the Hard
Fern, the Lady Fern, the Male Fern, the Broad
Buckler Fern, and others. In this district is to
be found the somewhat rare Tunbridge Filmy
Fern, Wilson's Filmy Fern, and the delicate and
beautiful Marsh Buckler Fern. From this point
a precipitous ascent leads on to Lustleigh Cleave.
We can give no better description of this Cleave
than by comparing it to a huge fern rockery. By
some singular agency, the hill-sides have been
strewn with blocks of granite, of all shapes and
sizes. It is really difficult to understand how this
curious phenomenon could have been produced.
Volcanic action of some kind naturally appears
to the mind as the agency which must have been
employed in the original formation of Lust-
leigh Cleave. But the present effect is singularly
beautiful. Here, as elsewhere, the ferns have

74 THE FERN PARADISE.

taken possession of the ground, and have given
an indescribably graceful aspect to the strewn
boulders. Reaching the top of the Cleave, after
a toilsome ascent, we made for the Logan, or
Nutcracker Rock. Near this rock, peering into
the stony crevices, we made a pleasing discovery.
We found in one of the interstices, between the
gigantic masses of granite which cover the hill-
top, several specimens of the rare Lanceolate
Spleenwort. They were, growing in one little
cluster, and in the dark shadow of their retreat
we could not at first be sure that they were
not the beautiful but common Black Maidenhair
Spleenwort. We knew, however, that from the
position in which they were growing, it was quite
possible that they might be Asplenium lanceo-
latum. With the aid of a long stick, we succeeded
in digging them out ; and a close examination
at once gave proof that the plants we had dis-
covered were what we had hoped they would
prove to be. The fronds of the Black Maidenhair
Spleenwort are always broadest at their base, nar-
rowing gradually towards their apex, the spores

THE FERNY MOORLANDS. 75

being arranged in lines at the back of the fronds.
The fronds of lanceolatum taper at both ends
towards the apex and towards the stipes, and its
spores, when ripe, are gathered in little round
clusters on the back of its fronds. The dis-
tinguishing characteristics of this species were
present in our "find." We had hunted in num-
berless places in South Devon for Asplenium
lanceolatum, and had carefully explored several
of its known habitats, but without ever being able
to find a single plant. Those who have experi-
enced it, know the pleasure derived by the fern-
hunter when, after a long search, he at length
lights on the rare variety for which he has been
seeking.

Down the side of the Cleave towards Lustleigh ;
through a boulder lane — huge masses of granite
piled up on each side, and almost hidden by ferns
and moss — and away by hill-side meadow and
stream towards Totnes ! So ended our delightful
ramble for that day across the ferny moorlands.

DOWN A GREEN LANE !

CHAPTER V.

DOWN A GREEN LANE I

T^V OWN a green lane ! But what a lane !
Words can but meagrely convey an im-
pression of its charms. Nor could the most
skilful artist, with the rarest combination of
colours which art can produce, give a faithful
representation of the glorious tints and of the
unrivalled gracefulness of the ferns which revel
there in all their native luxuriance. But how to
reach this lane ?

You make a steep ascent along an upland road
a mile in length ; an ascent so long and so steep,
that could you make it without pausing, you
would stop at the summit to recover your breath.
But if you love scenery, and if you love the ferns,
you cannot climb this hill without stopping to
admire both, for both are of the rarest kind.

8o THE FERN PARADISE.

Arrived at the top of the hill, you have in front
a park gate, leading to somebody's mansion, and
two turnings for choice, one directly to the right,
the other directly to the left. Both are charming,
but the one to the right is irresistible. The left
turning is a road ; the right one is a lane. No
fern-hunter who might reach this turning-point,
when out for a saunter, would hesitate for one
moment. The " lane " at its entrance is wider than
the "road." On the left a grassy hedge-bank,
over-topped by arching trees, which grow out of
it, and bending forward, fling their green tops
across the whole width of the pathway. On the
right also a grassy hedge-bank topped by bushes
— stunted but picturesque growths of the elder, the
hawthorn, and the elm. A grassy carpeting under
our feet, except where sacrilegious carts have
made "ruts," and occasional foot-passengers have
worn a narrow path. Moss-covered tree trunks,
and inviting forms of fern-life, which crowd the
hedge-banks ; but ferns which are tender in
growth, and small in size. From the hedge-banks
shoot out the splendid flowers of the fox-glove,

DOWN A GREEN LANE f 81

mounted on their tall stems, and looking grand
indeed in the height of their June glory. The
lane, wide at its entrance, narrows rapidly, and at
the distance of a stone's-throw bends round to
the left, and is beyond that point hid from view.
But so green and delightful are the trees, the
flowers, the grass, and the ferns, that your choice
of the turning is instantly made. You feel certain
that the lane will get more beautiful as you follow
what you are sure will be its winding course, and
you make for the bend where that course is hid
from view. Look at the hedge-banks as you pass
from the short "bit" which has been described.
Here are no less than six species of ferns — the
Male Fern, the Hartstongue, the Soft Prickly
Shield Fern, and the Broad Buckler Fern growing
out of the hedge-bank ; whilst fronds of the Poly-
pody peep out from ivy-covered pollard trunks,
and are sheltered by the overhanging shrubs
which line the hedge-top. Small specimens of the
Bracken are also here. It is perhaps because of
the sunny aspect of the hedge-bank that the fern
specimens are small. Following the bend of the

6

82 THE FERN PARADISE.

lane, you find that the grass-covered pathway nar-
rows, whilst the hedges close in ; trees now, ivy
as well as moss-covered, are on each side of you,
and interlace their green tops. Then, between
moss-covered, fern-fringed hedge-banks, you pass
an open fir copse on the right. Then the lane,
still winding round to the left, narrows more
rapidly still ; narrows indeed so much, that the
bushes which crown its hedges almost meet over-
head, and thus arresting the moisture and in-
creasing the shade, cause the ferns on each side
to become developed into grander forms, until
two or three splendid specimens of the Broad
Buckler Fern and the Male Fern in the hedge-
bank on the right compel you to pause and
admire their exquisitely graceful aspect. A few
steps further on, bending still round to the left,
you again stop to admire the splendid growth
of a Brake, which, growing out of the humid
hedge-bank, has reached a height of eight feet.
Now the lane for a short distance observes a
straighter and narrower course, between hedge-
banks containing luxuriant specimens of noble-

DOWN A GREEN LANE' 83

growing ferns. Then it widens, and admits you
on to a glade, whence away to the right from the
hill-top where you stand, you get a magnificent
view, far away over green lanes, woods, and meadows
of the wild moorlands which end the landscape.

Now the lane suddenly narrows again ; but just
as it is about to commence its descent over the
hill, you suddenly come upon a turning to the
right. A lane within a lane ! Lovely as is the
course which you have been hitherto following,
you pause at this spot fairly spellbound by the
superlative loveliness of the little bit of scenery
which this new turning suddenly reveals. 'Tis
just a peep from where you stand; for this
lane within a lane seems to be a lane without
egress, a charming cul-de-sac. At a few yards
from the entrance, a hedge-bank bars the way, to
all appearance. The tiny "bit," as far as you
can see, is like a summer bower. The hedge-
banks stand on each side some seven feet apart.
But flowering plants and grass carpet the ground,
leaving a pathway two feet wide. Away in front
the bank which closes the view, gracefully clothed

84 THE FERN PARADISE.

with waving fern-fronds, rises up against the tall
and matted shrubs from the hedges which run to
meet it, and mingling its own wealth of green
twigs with the branches of a small oak on the
opposite side of the way, forms a delightful
canopy of quivering leaves, through which the
blue of the sky, and the fleecy white of the
passing clouds, can just be seen.

Who could resist the temptation to wander into
such a bower as this ? — for bower it seems. When,
however, you reach the hedge-bank that appears
to bar the way, your astonishment is great to
find that it is not a cul-de-sac which you have
entered ; for a turning to the left, so sharp as to
be unseen until you approach it closely, reveals
the most beautiful green and ferny lane which
it is possible for the imagination to conceive. Oh !
the glorious wealth of waving green, wild flowers,
and fern-fronds, which the eye surveys, as it
delightedly wanders along the charming vista
which bursts upon you ! On your right and on
your left, just where the lane bends round, two
stately Brakes stand, as if placed there to guard

DOWN A GREEN LANE! 85

this inner paradise of the ferns. And on the
right, hard by the Brake which spreads its arching
fronds towards you, a noble specimen of the
purple-stemmed Lady Fern springs out of the
hedge-bank ; its splendid clusters of fronds, each
a yard in length, flinging over the scene the
indescribable gracefulness which is a fit emblem
of fern-land.

And now for a plunge into this glorious lane
of lanes. As far as you can see, it appears tc
melt away in shadowy green, as it sinks down
over the declivity of the hill. For some distance
along the path, in both hedge-banks, the Lady
Ferns appear to hold sway. Here is a grand
specimen, fully four feet long! and there are
many others equally grand, and equally beautiful,
in every shade of purple stem. Intermingled
with them and forming a charming variety of
fronds, are some fine plants of the Male Fern,
the Broad Buckler Fern, with its curling leaflets,
and the Brakes, the latter towering up to the
height of eight feet. Peer between the branches
which filter the light on the hedge-top, and you

86 THE FERN PARADISE.

will find small specimens of the Male Fern, with
their shuttlecock shapes ; the dark green fronds
of the Hartstongue, and, dropping out of gnarled
and moss-covered tree trunks, the beautiful
Polypody !

Now, for a moment, as you pass onwards, the
arching bushes on each side close over you, whilst
grand ferns, of noble growth, spread their tops
across from each side, and touch you as you brush
between them. Passing with reluctance some
glorious specimens of the Male Fern, the Lady
Fern, and the Broad Buckler Fern, far grander
in size and aspect in this their native home than
they ever grew on artificial rockwork, you come
upon a spot on your right where a host of
exquisite fronds of the Soft Prickly Shield Fern
clothe the hedge-bank, and compel you to stop
and admire them. The colouring of this species
is extremely rich, when the plants are vigorous
and finely grown. From the base of the frond to
the apex along the central midrib, and from the
base to the apex of the pinnules, run the rust-
coloured scales, which strikingly contrast with

DOWN A GREEN LANE! 87

the fine green of the whole frond. Then the
minute and regular subdivisions of the angular-
shaped pinnules render this fern one of the most
beautiful of its beautiful family. The aspect of
a hedge-bank clothed with Polystichum angulare
must be seen to be adequately appreciated.

Pursuing the pathway a few yards further, the
scene, for one moment, changes. Through a gate-
way on the right, forming a gap in the sandstone
hedge-bank which has helped to shut in the lane,
the sun suddenly lights up the scene ; and at
the same time a charming prospect is offered
by the valley below. Some of the grandest
of Devonshire scenery lies before you. From
where you stand, a declivity sweeps grace-
fully down to Totnes, which, nestling around
its tall church spire, appears to respose in the
very depth of the valley. On each side you get
a peep of the winding Dart ; on the left as it
flows from the moor, on the right as it makes
for the sea. But town and river are mantled by
trees, now thinly scattered, now densely grouped
and spreading away over upland and hill-top, as

88 THE FERN PARADISE.

far as the eye can reach, in dusky outlines.
Town, river, and wood below, sloping uplands
with meadow and cornfield, steep wood-crowned
hills beyond, and the rugged peaks and barren
torrs of Dartmoor in the far-off distance. Such
is the landscape which lies stretched out before
and below you.

But you turn again towards the glorious lane,
which now begins a swift descent, the pathway
rapidly narrowing. The branches again close over
your head. Majestic fronds of the Brake, the Male
Fern, and the Broad Buckler Fern, brush against
you. The path is now almost obstructed by
the wild and glorious vegetation which clothes
the ground. Fern -fronds thicken around ; the
thickly matted growth of the hedge-banks be-
comes more dense ; the way appears almost
barred by a grand specimen of Polystichum
angulare\ and you stop at the same moment,
arrested by the fragrant odour from a huge
bush of honeysuckle in full flower. Here, for
a few yards, the shrubs overhead spread their
branches far away from the hedge-top, and the

DOWN A GREEN LANE! 89

lower portion of the bank on the left reaches
back to such a distance as to envelop the ground
underneath almost in darkness. In this kindly
and congenial shelter the ferns are growing to
grand dimensions, fostered by the darkness and
humidity which prevail under the leafy canopy.

Onward, still onward, and downward winds the
lane, until, all at once, it becomes fairly buried
under the glorious mass of vegetation which grows
with such wild and beautiful luxuriance around
and above. You have now almost to crawl
underneath the bushes and the graceful fern-fronds
which literally choke up the way. For twenty or
thirty yards your path is thus buried, and you
are compelled to stoop until your chin almost
touches your knees. Grand as you have hitherto
found the development of fern-life, here, in this
spot, you find the grandest development of all. Oh
the keen enjoyment you derive from the delicious
coolness of this almost subterranean avenue ! Mid-
way in the glorious wealth of green there is a
slight break in the bushes. Perched in the gap
is a full blown foxglove ; and away beyond and

90 THE FERN PARADISE.

above, arching Brakes and Male Ferns spread out
and over you their graceful fronds.

Once more the scene changes. Still swiftly
descending, you pass a wood on your left, and
then the lane again opens out. The pathway
narrows, but the hedge-banks slope outwards,
affording space for the most graceful development
of the ferns which grow shuttlecock fashion on
the sloping banks. Here, in the full daylight, you
can see and admire the varying shades of glorious
green which the fern-fronds wear ; the dark green
of full grown Brakes contrasting, for instance,
with the lighter shade of the incipient fronds, or
with their own golden-green tips.

Again, for a moment, on its way down the
hill-side, the lane opens up a prospect of the
richly-clothed valley which you are now nearing
once more. On your right, below the hedge-bank
— over the open top of which you can peer — a
meadow runs steeply down to a point where it is
met on each side by two gracefully sloping uplands
beautifully though sparingly wooded. From the
point of junction of meadow and upland the ground,

DOWN A GREEN LANE! <)i

by a slow descent, sweeps away to the town, which,
partly hid by the trees which embower it, and
partly screened by the rise of the uplands, lies
picturesquely along the river banks. Beyond the
town, the wood and meadow-covered slopes rise
upwards towards the sky. The peep is exquisite,
and affords for the moment a delightful contrast
to the peculiar charms of the ferny lane.

In another moment, however, the open coun-
try disappears from view, as you pursue your
way downwards. The path now descends so
swiftly, that you need some care to secure a
foot-hold. As it descends, it narrows to the width
of a foot, and from its rugged stony character
it is easy to see that it has been cut out of the
rocky hill-side, in the days of packhorses, and
before the age of carts. Higher and higher grow
the moss-covered banks, sloping outwards and
upwards. Here, on your left, at the top of the
high cutting — for it is no longer a hedge — is a
spreading oak tree, thickly matted with gnarled
roots of ivy. From out of the forks of this beau-
tiful tree, just over your head, drop the pretty

92 THE FERN PARADISE.

fronds of the Polypody. Below, the side of the
cutting is densely clothed with ferns of glorious
growth. Splendid specimens of the Male Fern
which, from their erect and noble-looking, yet
withal graceful habit, fairly earn their designa-
tion. Growing to the left of the Male Ferns,
whose fronds are more than a yard long, are two
magnificent specimens of the Broad Buckler Fern ;
the curling pinnules of the fronds giving to them
a most lovely aspect. Beneath, revelling in the
cool shelter afforded by the ferns which have
been named, is a Lady Fern, throwing up its
tender fronds with the drooping habit which is
the charming characteristic of this plant.

Still, for a long distance, the lane follows its
winding course between high moss, ivy and
fern-covered banks, with trees far above, arch-
ing over and excluding the sunlight. Your path
now becomes more like the rocky bed of some
river, which a long drought has temporarily dried
up. On your right you presently pass, in the
twilight created by the shrubs around and above
you, a hedge-bank which is clothed with the most

DOWN A GREEN LANE! 93

beautiful moss, growing amongst which are thou-
sands of baby ferns, just springing into existence,
and beginning to assume the ferny forms. The
deep shade flung by hedge -bank and over-arching
trees, and the perpetual moisture which is engen-
dered between them, render this spot a congenial
hiding-place for the fern-spores which germinate
on the damp soil of the mossy hedge-bank.

And now the swift descent of the hill-side path
is gently broken. From the deep soft shade of
the lane you emerge into the sunlight. The hill-
side begins to melt into the valley. Sunlit
meadows, gently-sloping wood-covered uplands,
orchards, and fruit-gardens are combined in ex-
quisite variety in the scene before you. Now,
between the leafy interstices in tree and shrub,
you sight some white-walled cottages. Then, as
you pursue your meadow path, you are again lost
under a leafy canopy, as hedge-banks once more
close in upon you. Anon an intermingling of
hedges, meadows, and houses ; and then your
charming green lane abuts upon a winding road
which leads away to the town.

WHAT IS A FERN?

CHAPTER VI.

WHAT IS A FERN ?

"\ T 7E have made no attempt in the preceding
chapters to offer any help in the study of
ferns. Botany is a beautiful science, and those
who have time and opportunity will find almost
endless instruction and amusement in studying it ;
but, as we have shown, there are very many who
do not possess the necessary time and opportunity.
All that we have attempted to do, is to give
such general descriptions of those of our native
ferns which are to be seen in the west of England,
as might conduce to the more extensive artificial
cultivation of these beautiful plants. Of all the
varieties which we have named, we have not in
any one instance given such a minute description
as might enable the young botanist accurately to
distinguish one from another.

7

98 THE FERN PARADISE.

We have simply endeavoured to create a general
love for the plants themselves, with the object of
showing that, exquisitely graceful and beautiful
as they are when seen growing wild in the situ-
ations which are natural to them, they will carry
that native grace and beauty with them wherever
they may be transplanted; with the object, too,
of urging that ferns should be grown in every
garden, and be found in every house, however
humble it may be ; for the lovely plants will
shed their soft charms no less in the cottage of
the peasant than in the mansion of the squire —
no less in the garret window than in the handsome
conservatory.

We do not write for those who have any
acquaintance with ferns ; we do not write so much
for those who live in the country as for those who
live in our cities and in our large towns, and who
too frequently are content to get their peeps at
ferns during their rare and occasional visits to
the country. There are few homes which do not
possess plants or flowers of some kind. Even
when a house has no garden attached to it — and

WHAT IS A FERN? 99

how many thousands of houses there are in big
London alone without gardens ! — an attempt is
made to compensate for its absence. Sometimes
the windows are filled with plants — generally with
flowers. Even the poor hovel, even the most
wretched garret is provided with at least one
solitary flower-pot, whose occupant, pining perhaps
for the sun which can never reach it, drags on its
sickly existence, until at length it dies under the
influence of an unnatural atmosphere, struggling
to the last moment with its abnormal condition of
life. But it is rarely that ferns are to be seen
under the same conditions ; and it is because we
would show how it is that these lovely plants are
admirably adapted to live under conditions which
flowering plants cannot survive, that we have
' written these chapters. Here we feel that it will
be necessary, before we proceed any further, to
define the position ferns occupy amongst the great
portion of the living world which we call the
vegetable kingdom.

The simple question then at once arises : What
is a fern, and how is it to be distinguished from

ioo THE FERN PARADISE.

other plants ? The general answer to this ques-
tion is that a fern is a flowerless plant. Although
flowerless, it is not seedless ; but its peculiarity is
that it acquires its seeds without the intervention
of flowers. Let us borrow just one hard word
from botany — and we only do so because in one
word it explains the most exact distinction between
ferns and other seed-bearing plants. Ferns, then,
belong among plants to the class Cryptogamia,
which literally means " concealed fructification."
They are therefore, although flowerless, seed-
bearing plants, and when they bear seed they
hide it away. Those who have never seen a fern
would naturally, at first, experience some little
difficulty in knowing — although bearing in mind
the general definition which we have given — how
to distinguish a fern from another plant when
both are — the one without seeds, and the other
without flowers or seeds. No definition which
would be sufficiently popular for our purpose
can be offered to remove this difficulty. Certain
peculiarities of ferns can be mentioned, and when
these are remembered, one or two visits to a

WHAT IS A FERNf 101

country lane where ferns abound will be quite
sufficient to accustom you at once to the difference
between a fern and an ordinary plant.

Some parts of a fern bear different names to
those affixed by botanists to the corresponding — we
use the word " corresponding," in its popular, and
not in its strictly technical sense — parts of another
plant. First of all there is the crown, which may
be styled for the sake of simplicity the mainstay of
the plant, or the base of its stem. From the under
surface of this stem or root-stock proceed the long
fibrous roots, which, diving down into the soil, or
penetrating between the crevices in rocks and
walls, seek and convey to the plant the abundant
moisture without which it could not live. From
the crown or root-stock upwards grow the stalks,
which support what would be popularly called the
leaves. Each of these stalks is called a stipes, and
in most ferns both the upper surface of the crown
and the stipes are covered with scales, a rust-
coloured kind of excrescence.

On each stipes, at a distance from the crown of
the plant which varies in different specimens of

102 THE FERN PARADISE.

ferns, commences the leaf, technically and beauti-
fully styled the frond. At this point commences
the exquisite grace and beauty of the plant. Its
midrib, from the point where leaving the stipes
the frond commences, is called the racltis. Should
the rachis have ribs branching either horizontally
or obliquely away from it, these ribs are still called
the rachis, its parts being distinguished the one
from the other by the terms, the primary or the
secondary rachis. Upon the rachis it is that grow
the leaves, leaflets, pinnules, and lobes, either in a
simple or a compound form ; and it is their infinite
variety of form — simple, scalloped, saw-edged — and
the exceedingly graceful manner in which they are
arranged on the rachis, that constitute the peculiar
elegance of a fern. The manner in which the
fronds of ferns spring up from the crown of the
plants is another peculiarity in their growth, and
one that distinguishes them from ordinary plants.
On starting from the crown the fronds have the
appearance of so many little balls, which as they
develop unroll upwards. It is then seen that the
whole frond has been rolled together in circinate

WHAT IS A FERNf 103

manner — that is to say, from the top of the frond
spirally downwards. In the simple fronds there is
one simple unrolling from the base outwards to the
extreme uppermost point of the frond. In the
compound species of the plant there is first of all
the primary unrolling, and that is followed when
completed by the lateral unrolling of the leaves on
the rachis, which lateral unrolling is followed by
perpendicular and lateral unrolling in alternation.

A FERN PARADISE AT HOME.

CHAPTER VII.

A FERN PARADISE AT HOME.

\ T TE have offered the preceding very simple
definitions of the distinctive characteristics
of ferns, merely as some kind of guide to those
who are totally unable to distinguish a fern
from another plant. But if at first there be
any difficulty in making this distinction, it will be
short-lived. About ferns, whether small or large,
whether just starting into life or developed into
their grandest proportions, there is an almost
indescribable aspect of majesty and grace. We
have often wandered for miles through ferny lanes,
with no eye for any plant but ferns. They have
seemed to speak to us, and they have invited and
engrossed our attention. We have said, and we
repeat, that the study of ferns has become on the
part of thousands a passion. We know of no

io8 THE FERN PARADISE.

occupation in the country which is more enjoyable
than hunting after ferns. We have singled out
Devonshire, and given to that beautiful county the
name of the " Fern Paradise," and well it deserves
the name. Who that has experienced the pleasure
can deny that to wander after ferns through its
beautiful woods — to search the rocks, the ravines,
and the streamlets which abound in its magnificent
moorlands — to cross, minutely searching from
moss-covered boulder to moss-covered boulder,
the beds of its brawling rivers, listening to the soft
thunder of their numerous waterfalls, or to the
loud roar of rushing torrents where the mountain
stream sweeps down into the valley — who can
deny, we repeat, that the pleasure of a wild ramble
like this is exquisitely sweet ?

But although, as we have said, the enjoyment to
be gathered from a ramble either through the
green lanes of Devonshire, or the ferny lanes of
other counties, is beyond the reach of thousands,
yet there are few places where even the poorest
cannot obtain ferns. Flowers that are cultivated —
and our garden flowers require cultivation for their

A FERN PARADISE AT HOME. 109

proper development — are often beyond the reach
of the poor : and no one brings the ropts of wild-
flowers into our towns. If they were brought
hither they would pine away, perhaps more
quickly than our garden flowers ; and they at
least would not thrive any better in the absence
of that one vitalising element — sun. But ferns
that grow in wild woods, and open plains, are in
the free right of all who choose to gather them.
They are gathered sometimes and brought into
our towns and cities by itinerant vendors ; but you
seldom see them in the dwellings of the poor.
They nevertheless might be there. If there were
a demand the poor purveyors of the poor would
soon bring a supply from the free wild country
where they grow ; and there would be that
demand if the poor knew more about these lovely
plants.

Ferns will grow where flowering plants would
perish. They require moisture and shade — not
stagnant, but percolating moisture. Place them
where you will — on the floor, on the table of a
dimly-lighted room, in the sunless window-sill, in

i ro THE FERN PARADISE.

a shady corner — anywhere, and they will grow
and develop, unrolling their charming fronds, and
exhibiting their sweet feathery forms with all
their natural grace in the presence of squalor and
misery. The poor seamstress painfully working
in yon ill-lighted garret, where the glorious sun
never comes, might perhaps have shed bitter tears
over the withered flower that all her care had
failed to rear! But a fern would grow where
her flower had died, would smile upon her with
its mute flowerless smile, would live in the dark
light of her attic window, and, unfolding its fronds
day by day, would assume its most majestic and
graceful form even in the presence of a poor
seamstress.

But it is not only the poor who have to live
in gardenless dwellings, and look out from sun-
less windows. The mansions of the rich, and
thousands of houses of the well-to-do, and of
the middle classes, are necessarily in this great
London, and in other cities and towns, placed
where the sun cannot exert his charming life-giv-
ing influence. Many a window of a grand house

A FERN PARADISE AT HOME. in

looks out upon nothing but brick walls, which
tower up high and blot out the1 sun's rays. The
occupants of these houses are often bound, by the
exigencies of business, to make their homes for
weary months in these shadowy dwelling-places.

Why, then, do they not bring the beautiful ferns
into requisition ? What exquisite grace would be
shed over every room in a house, if every available
space were occupied by the feathery fronds of these
beautiful plants! — on tables and sideboards; on
mantelpieces and on window-sills ; hanging from
window-rods ; on the landing of the stairs ; in the
hall ; in the bed-rooms — everywhere in fact. Why
not ? Without any curtailment of necessary space,
without any inconvenience, these beautiful plants
might be so arranged as that every house, " be it
never so humble," might become a "Fern Paradise."
The hardier kinds, if kept within doors, will survive
the winter, and look fresh and green throughout ;
and the more delicate and fragile of the species
may be preserved in all their natural freshness
under a covering of glass. Plant them in a case,
and cover them with a shade, and then you will

112 THE FERN PARADISE,

have, even in midwinter, a miniature fernery. Do
you want a sweet smell as from a country lane ?
Take off the covering of glass, and your tiny im-
prisoned favourites will exhale the sweet familiar
odours ; and where the moisture has rested on
their feathery tips, there you will see as if it had
been dewdrops.

Have you a dark, damp corner in your garden,
where you cannot get your flowers to grow? If
you have— and few there are who have not, for
everything has its shady side — throw some loose
stones together in rockery form, and plant ferns
there. They will revel in the obscurity of the
retreat which you have chosen for them, and smile
gracefully and thankfully upon you from out of
their dark corner.

Everywhere if you will, in your gardens and in
your houses, you may have a " Fern Paradise "-
"a thing of beauty and a joy for ever/' Even
the poorest of the poor, compelled by the unceas-
ing pressure of " work ! work ! work ! " to cry, in
the touching words which have immortalized their
author —

A FERN PARADISE AT HOME. 113

"Oh but to breathe the breath

Of the cowslip and primrose sweet,
With the sky above my head,
And the grass beneath my feet " —

may have, if they will, a " Fern Paradise " in the
saddest and most cheerless of sad homes.

$nrt II.
FERNS AND FERN CULTURE.

INTRODUCTION.

INTRODUCTION.

HPHESE pages, it has already been intimated,
are not intended for scientific readers. Our
object is to create a universal love for the beautiful
ferns ; and as yet only such general descriptions
of ferns and ferny scenery have been given as
might suffice for the purpose which we have
set before us. But to give to the little volume
a utility beyond what it would possess by a too
strict adherence to mere generalization, some
descriptions will be now given of each species
of such of the exquisite and graceful fern family
as have chosen to make these islands their
home.

Too much, however, will not, with this object,
be attempted. The little book is not intended
to comnete with botanical treatises. It makes

120 THE FERN PARADISE.

no pretension to be a hand-book. It is in sub-
stance " a plea for the ferns," and as such it goes
forth to the world. But it aims at being widely
useful. Many ferns which grow in lovely Devon-
shire are never seen in other counties ; but the
county is poor indeed which cannot furnish a few
specimens of what are called the common varieties
of our native ferns.

In the following pages of description the
simplest definitions will be given ; and in addi-
tion to these, under the name of each fern
information will be furnished as to the particular
situations in which it grows, the method of culti-
vation, the soil, and other matters which will be of
interest for the fern-lover.

to I.
SINGLE FERNS.

o

CHAPTER I.

THE BRACKEN.

Pteris aquilina.

F all our native ferns, the Bracken, or Brake,
is the most plentiful, and the most widely
distributed. It abounds almost everywhere ; and
hence, perhaps, the reason why it has been con-
sidered by some persons to be a common or vul-
gar-looking plant. But it is emphatically a vulgar
taste which can thus judge of this beautiful fern.
To our mind it is exquisitely graceful ; and its
abundance does but increase the charm which
it flings over hill, woodland, and plain ; and does
but testify to the abounding goodness of the
Creator in giving us so much to delight the eye
and to please the mind.

That the Bracken is put to vulgar uses may be

124 THE FERN PARADISE.

granted ; and that it represents to the vulgar eye —
more completely, indeed, than any other member
of the graceful family to which it belongs — the
idea of "a fern" we equally concede. But we
indignantly repudiate the attempt to fasten the
stigma of vulgarity upon the wild Brake. The
reproach recoils upon those who invented it ;
and the beautiful plant will have its reward in
the keen appreciation of the true fern- lover.

We have said that the Brake is to be found
almost everywhere. The general fact is a suffi-
cient indication of its hardiness. But under such
conditions alone as ferns love is it to be found
growing in full splendour, and endowed with all
its natural grace and beauty. Alike on the wild
open common, in the dark shade of the woodland,
by the glancing waters of our streams, perched on
the hedge-tops, swathed in the deep foliage of the
hedge-bank, covering the hill-sides, on the bleak
hill-top, grow the Brakes ; now tall and vigorous,
now dwarfed and feeble : but whether of giant or
pigmy growth, ever graceful. Where yonder wood
has year by year, for many a long year past, shed

THE BRACKEN. 125

its soft crop of leaves, which softly falling soften
in decay, and form a spongy bed of mould — there
the Bracken revels : there its roots delightedly
wander through the congenial soil, sending up a
miniature forest of delicate-looking fronds, which
wave their graceful tips underneath the larger
forest growth which shoots up against the sunlight.
The Bracken has a creeping root. It is, in fact,
a curious kind of root — half stem, half root —
which crawls along horizontally underground.
Sometimes, when attracted by soft, congenial soil,
this root penetrates deeply into the earth. It
has, in fact, been known to go down to as great
a depth as fifteen feet. Commonly, however, the
depth is much less. If the top soil be sufficiently
congenial to the plant, it contents itself with
creeping — most extensively, however. As it
creeps horizontally — and its vertical subterranean
advance does not interfere with its horizontal pro-
gress— it throws up at short intervals its beautiful
fronds, which first find their way above ground in
spring, the time varying with the earliness or late-
ness of the season. The creeping roots of the

126 THE FERN PARADISE.

Bracken are chiefly thick, varying from the thick-
ness of an ordinary lead pencil to that of the little
finger of the hand ; and the rootlets or fibrous
roots of this fern are few in number. We may
appropriately adopt, from botanical phraseology, a
name for the thick creeping root of the Bracken,
especially as we shall have occasion to use it when
speaking of other ferns with similar roots. There
is the less objection to the use of this name, because
it is simple and euphonious. We shall, then, style
the creeping root of the Bracken the rhizome.
From the subterranean, succulent, blackish-coloured
rhizome start the incipient fronds, which, when
they break the earth, have the appearance of little
hoary, hairy buds, that unfold and develop into
the perfect frond.

The fronds of the Bracken — stem and leaf
together — rise to all heights ; from sometimes
only a few inches, when the plant is growing on
hard, uncongenial soil, and remains exposed to the
power of sun and wind, to a height of ten feet,
when growing in the moist, shady recesses of
woods and forests. The nature of the soil and

THE BRACKEN. 127

situation influences, too, the form and development
of this fern. But describing it under its usual
conditions, it may be stated that the stalk of the
frond, of a lovely green colour, is a little more than
half the length of the latter, which, from the point
where the stalk ends, exhibits a triangular appear-
ance. But its uppermost tip forms the most acute
angle of the three, the bottom of the frond being
the shortest of its three sides. Unrolling upwards,
the bare stalk being terminated, and the rachis —
the main or central stem of the frond proper — hav-
ing commenced, on each side, right and left, are
thrown out in pairs the side branches. These side
branches continue to be thrown out in pairs as the
fronds unroll upwards, each pair, however, dimin-
ishing in length until the extreme point of the
frond is attained, within a short distance of which
the perpendicular and the lateral extensions are
merged. Each one of the side branches is again
divided, and bears on its midrib successive pairs of
leaflets, sometimes placed opposite each other, and
sometimes placed alternately. These are longest
at the part of the branch near the central midrib of

128 THE FERN PARADISE.

the frond, and gradually diminish in length as they
reach the extreme point of the branch, until they
terminate in a point In fine specimens of the
Bracken, the leaflets on the side branches of the
frond are again divided — this time into lobes,
which are arranged in pairs on the rib of the
leaflet. The lobes are narrow, and oblong in
shape, with broad bases and bluntish tops, each
lobe at the base of the branches at the lower
portion of the frond being distinct — that is to say,
disconnected from the lobes on each side of it ;
but towards the tips of the lower branches, and on
all the branches at the highest part of the frond,
the division between the lobes on each leaflet is
not carried down to the rib of the leaflet, which in
such a case presents somewhat the appearance of
a double-edged saw. At the backs, and along the
margins of the lobes of the Bracken, lie the spores
in countless myriads, covered by a thin leaf-skin,
and arranged in rounded lines; at first in colour
of a whitish green, but becoming, as autumn
arrives, a rich golden brown. Then the skin-cases
which cover these infinitesimal germs of fern life

THE BRACKEN. 129

bursting, the tiny atoms are scattered far and
wide, and falling on congenial soil, and being
subjected to the conditions which favour their
existence, become developed into the mysterious
and beautiful fern life which we admire.

One curious and interesting peculiarity of the
wild Bracken must be noticed. If a vigorous stem
of a Bracken frond be cut transversely close to the
ground, and examined, a figure having a striking
resemblance to an oak tree will be discovered in
the centre of the cut section of the stem.

In lovely Devonshire we have seen the beautiful
Bracken, in the damp recesses of woods, soaring
to its greatest height of ten feet, and spreading
abroad its feathery arms with exquisite and droop-
ing grace. It is always beautiful, especially when
densely covering the ground ; but we do not recol-
lect to have ever seen it wear so charming an
aspect as in one particular fir copse in the imme-
diate neighbourhood of Newton Abbott. The
whole length of the fir plantation, as far as the eye
could reach in every direction, was covered with
golden-green Bracken. The graceful symmetry of

9

130 THE FERN PARADISE.

the scene was really charming to behold. No tall
grass, no plants, or shrubs of any kind were inter-
mingled with the sea of feathery Brakes which,
waving in the wind, conveyed to the mind a
weirdly graceful idea of fairy-land.

The Bracken is, indeed, the free wild fern
of the forest ; possessing preeminently a tender
and romantic grace. It is the fern of the forest,
as distinguished from the fern of the wood, grove,
or copse. Transplanted, it will retain all its de-
lightful characteristics in the fern garden. We have
read in some fern books that the Bracken cannot
be cultivated at all in gardens and rockeries; in
others that its cultivation is extremely difficult.
But both statements are erroneous ; and the mis-
take has probably arisen in this way : Great care is
necessary in taking up the Bracken from its wild
habitats, in order to secure a proper quantity of
rhizome and of root ; and without this care the
rhizome is liable to get broken. The latter pene-
trates the soil to some depth, and to transplant
tt successfully, you must dig deeply down.
The best plan is to remove such specimens as

THE BRACKEN. 131

may be found growing on shallow though rich
beds of leaf-mould ; that is to say, under con-
ditions which compel the rhizome to creep hori-
zontally, instead of to grow down vertically. Then
in order not to break or injure the rhizome, the
plant should be removed together with the soil
in which it may be growing. Small specimens
should be taken with this object, as it is generally
impossible to get up the roots of the larger
growths. We remember going to Hampstead
Heath, some few years since, for a small Bracken.
We removed one, turf and all, bodily, and the
same plant is now growing bravely. As we pen
these lines, our Bracken has just performed an
extraordinary feat. We planted it between two
small rockeries amongst irregular blocks of stone ;
and during the summer it has thrown up its
fronds from its creeping rhizome in various direc-
tions. One morning we noticed what appeared
to be a broken tip — freshly broken it seemed —
of our Bracken frond lying on the top of one of
the rockeries which the plant had overshadowed.
"Those dreadful cats!" thought we; and we

132 THE FERN PARADISE.

proceeded to pick up the broken piece, when
wonderful to behold, it was not a broken piece at
all, but the persevering tip of an enterprising frond
which had found its way right through the rockery,
and had begun gracefully and triumphantly to
unfold on the top. What this clever Bracken
will ultimately do, it is impossible to say ; but
we shall not be surprised, after its adventure
through the rockery, to find its fronds peeping up
in any part of our garden.

The Bracken is a great favourite of ours ; and
it cannot be other than a favourite with all true
fern-lovers. Give it shade, moisture, rich loam
and leaf-mould, and plenty of room to creep, and
it will bring to your " Fern Paradise " the wild
grace of the forest.

CHAPTER II.

THE HARTSTONGUE.

Scolopendrium vulgare.

and most easily recognizable of the
ferns of Great Britain is the Hartstongue.
*t it is beautiful, notwithstanding its eminently
.imple and unpretending form. Its range is wide
indeed — almost if not quite universal throughout
Great Britain : very plentiful in England and
Ireland, somewhat less plentiful in Scotland, and
fairly distributed throughout Wales. You cannot
mistake its green tongue-shaped frond, narrow
and tapering, simple and undivided ; sometimes
smooth and straight, sometimes crumpled, but
always delightfully green. The Hartstongue is
in fact an evergreen, its new fronds starting
into sight in April or May, and continuing to
do so until the end of September, retaining their

134 THE FERN PARADISE.

greenness and vigour throughout the winter. The
description of this beautiful fern cannot puzzle
even the merest tyro in fern lore. A tufted root-
stock, its crown elevated slightly above the ground
level. Beneath, long fibrous roots, finding their
way into the soil, or — when growing in rocky
places, or amidst old ruins — into the moist inter-
stices between the masonry. Above, from the
crown, tufts of delightful green, leathery-textured
fronds, erect and bold in habit when growing in
exposed situations ; gracefully drooping when in
the dark, damp recesses of a shady retreat. In
length from an inch to a yard, sometimes even
more, according to circumstances and surround-
ings. A stem usually one-third the length of the
entire frond — stem and leafy portion included.
From the point of the stem commences the leafy
section of the frond, which is hollowed at its
lower part, heart-fashion ; so that from the point
where the stem (stipes] ends and the midrib of
the frond proper begins, the latter hangs down
on each side in the manner of two little ears. The
frond proper is tongue-shaped — hence doubtless

THE HARTSTONGUE. 135

its -name — and tapers in its upper portion to a
point; and from this point, through the centre
of the frond, is carried a thick midrib, on each
side of which — at the back of the frond — are
arranged in oblique lines the spores, protected by
a green cuticle covering them when the frond is
young, but bursting this covering in the fall of the
year, and revealing lines of rich, dark-brown seeds
in countless myriads. The stem of the Harts-
tongue when young is covered with beautiful white
downy-looking hairs or scales, which, as the plant
becomes older, assume a brownish tinge ; the stem
itself being usually of a dark purplish colour. The
fresh shining green of the Hartstongue is delight-
ful to behold. The plant altogether beautifully
contrasts with the compound forms of the other
British ferns. It is most interesting to study its
varying moods in its free wild state. Few of our
native ferns are so enterprising as the Harts-
tongue. It will grow even on bare walls in the
full sunlight, where it can at the best get little
moisture for its roots. In such situations, how-
ever, it becomes a tiny thing, rarely exceeding

136 THE FERN PARADISE.

two or three inches in length, and often assuming
a yellowish colour from constant exposure. But
the favourite haunts of the Hartstongue are the
depths of cool woods ; the tops of hedge-banks,
where clustering foliage shuts out the sun and
keeps in the moisture ; damp hedge-sides, where
perchance an eternal moisture is produced by
percolating water ; and the moist and dripping
sides of wells. In such places its shining fronds
grow to their finest dimensions. In the damp
and shady clefts of rocks, too, the Hartstongue
loves to grow. Clothing cavern walls and drop-
ping from cavern roofs, it may also be seen in great
abundance. Oftentimes splendid specimens of this
simple and beautiful fern may be seen on the
moist sides of parapet-walls, that overhang some
brook or river; and in such situations it bends
its green and shining tops downwards, until they
kiss the sparkling, eddying current below them.
There they revel in the spray and vapour which
surround them, waving their lovely tufts in the
wind.

The Hartstongue becomes a delightful occupant

THE HARTSTONGUE. 137

of the cool rockery in your " Fern Paradise." Give
it the coolest and shadiest nooks, sandy leaf-
mould, and peat, and abundance of water, and
it will well reward the care bestowed upon it ; for
its greenness and freshness will always make your
heart glad.

T

CHAPTER III.

THE LADY FERN.
Athyrium filix-fcemina.

HE majesty of gracefulness is embodied in
the Lady Fern. Amongst our native ferns
this species stands unrivalled. Charming as all
the fern family are, there is in this particular
member of it an indescribable loveliness. Words
cannot picture its attractions. It must be seen
to be thoroughly appreciated ; and one glance
will convey to the mind a glad sense of its
soft beauty, which no verbal description can
properly give. It is, indeed, amongst its kind, the
queen of delicacy, grace, and beauty.

Combined with its majestic gracefulness, there
is an extreme simplicity about the Lady Fern,
rendering its formal description a matter of ease.
It has a tufted root-stock, always slightly raised

THE LADY FERN. 139

above the surface on which this fern is found
to grow ; sometimes raised to a height of several
inches. From the under side of the root-stock
grow the thin, matted, fibrous roots, which pene-
trate deeply into the soil, and eagerly drink in
the abundant moisture which is essential to its
existence. From the crown of the root-stock
start up in thick tufts a mass of delightful
green brittle and herbaceous fronds, supported
each on its stem — one-third, and sometimes one-
fourth, of its entire length ; sometimes bright
green in colour, at other times a delightful
purple. The form of the frond is lance-
shaped, tapering from its base to its centre,
and from its centre to its point. On each
side of its central rib, or rachis, are arranged
in alternation a line of leaflets tapered out-
wards in the same way that the frond is
tapered upwards. On each side of the mid-
rib of each leaflet is a row of lobes, beau-
tifully serrated, or saw-edged, and bluntish
towards the point. In the larger leaflets the
lobes are distinct and separate one from the

140 THE FERN PARADISE.

other. In the smaller ones the division between
the lobes is less marked ; and this is the case in
every plant with the lobes which lie near the
points of the leaflets.

The delightful, but most delicate, fronds of
the Lady Fern are cut down on the approach
of winter, during which the plant remains
dormant. But in spring, about May, new
fronds again start from the root-stock in
abundance; and in the height of summer the
beautiful plant attains the full glory of its
perfection, with its mass of light delicate-
green, arched and gracefully-drooping fronds,
at the back of which lie in thousands, en-
sconced under the protection of the charming
frilled, and indented lobes, the little horse-
shoe shaped cases which contain its myriads
of tiny seeds.

Most cool and shady of cool and shady
nooks are the habitats of the beautiful Lady
Fern. Down by the river's brink, just where
the spray-flinging stream makes the air moist
and cool, and where overhanging boulders or

THE LADY FERN. 141

covering branches keep in the shadow and
keep out the sun, there will you find the
Lady Fern perched, its droopingly-delicate and
lace-like fronds quivering in response to the
touch of the thousand tiny water-drops which,
flung by the dashing water, fall over it each
moment. Sometimes, but rarely, when streams
are not near, this exquisite fern may be found
growing on open hedge-banks; but these are
not its favourite nor its natural habitats; and
when by chance it may be growing there, it
will be found to have lost half of its natural
grace and delicacy. In the deepest shade of
the wood, on moss-covered soil, through which
pure water unceasingly percolates, causing heavy
moisture to pervade the air; or at the foot of
a shady bank, over which trickles a tiny stream
from the level above it ; or perchance perched
in the dark cleft formed by the overhanging
rock of a waterfall, will you find the Lady
Fern developed to its grandest proportions,
and assuming its most graceful and beautiful
aspect.

142 THE FERN PARADISE.

A charming occupant for your " Fern Paradise "
is the Lady Fern. Whether in the house or
the garden it matters not, — it will thrive well.
But remember that it lives upon shade and
moisture. These are its food and drink ; and
without them it will shrink and die. If in the
garden, place it in the shadiest corner of your
rockery, and when there you can never give it
too much water. But give it full freedom.
Place it where it can have ample space to
unroll and spread out its charming fronds.
If you would see these displayed in their
natural and graceful habit, their tips should
not touch any jutting fragment of stone. Al-
though planted in the lowest tier of your
rockery, it should stand on the crest of a stony
knoll, so that its arching fronds may be thrown
upwards and outwards, free of any surrounding
obstruction. There, in such a chosen situation,
it will exhibit the perfection of its gracefully-
arching habit.

Have you a shady window in the house, on
which, facing north, the sun never shines ? If

THE LADY FERN. 143

you have, choose that window for the Lady
Ferns you may wish to grow indoors. Place
the pots containing them, if you will, on the
window-ledge, or suspend them in mid-window
by a cord depending from the top, and holding
a wire basket or other receptacle. The pot
saucers should be kept half-full of water, so as
to keep the beautiful plants moist and cool.
Provide for them soil of rich loam, leaf-mould,
peat, and sand. Then they will thrive luxu-
riantly in their adopted home ; and from
window-sill or mid-window will smile on you
thankfully.

CHAPTER IV.

THE HARD FERN.

Blechnum spicant.

A LTHOUGH not so graceful as most of the
British ferns, there is a rigid elegance about
the Hard Fern. Its name is admirably suited
to its character, for its texture is hard, and its
habits robust. But its delightful colour — a dark
shining green — and the elegance of simplicity
which is noticeable in the arrangement of the
leaflets on its fronds — make amends for its lack
of feathery grace. Like the Lady Fern, in whose
company it is frequently found, it delights in
abundant moisture and the most complete shade,
perferring situations where water perpetually
trickles over its crown. Its fronds grow from a
tufted root-stock, and are supported on stems
which vary in length in different specimens, but

THE HARD FERN. 145

are generally not more than one-sixth the length
of the frond proper. The Hard Fern grows in
varying lengths, according to soil and situation.
We have seen magnificent specimens in lovely
Devonshire in damp woods, and on the moist
banks of brawling streams, growing to a length
of nearly a yard. This fern has two perfectly
distinct kinds of frond ; the one barren, the other
seed-bearing; the latter being always narrower
than the former. The barren fronds are lance-
shaped, or perhaps it would be better to say
they are strap-shaped, but tapering more or less
from their base to their centre, and from their
centre to their point. One simple midrib — in
continuation of the stipes — clothed on each side
with a uniform row of leaflets, not quite separated
from each other, but joined by a narrow straight
leafy wing, which runs along the entire length of
the midrib on both of its sides. The leaflets are
somewhat narrow and blunt-pointed ; the whole
frond having very much of a comb-like appearance.
The fertile fronds are taller than the barren
ones, and grow up from the centre of the tufts

10

146 THE FERN PARADISE.

formed by the latter. In these fertile fronds the
leaflets are much narrower than those of the
barren fronds, and unlike the latter they are quite
distinct, being separated by a greater space from
each other. There is, too, a much longer stem in
the fertile fronds of the Hard Fern than in the
barren ones, the leaflets being at first the tiniest
protuberances from the midrib, and gradually
extending in length ; but again decreasing in
length as they near the point of the frond. The
backs of the fertile fronds in their upper parts are
densely clothed with seeds. So soon as these
have been scattered in the autumn the tall, thin
fertile fronds wither and drop away to the ground ;
but the barren fronds are evergreen, and preserve
their delightful freshness until the re-appearance
of spring calls up another cluster from the root-
stock.

The Hard Fern is widely distributed and abun-
dant, delighting most to grow in damp and
dripping situations. It should therefore be grown
in the lowest tiers of your fern rockery, and
have abundant moisture. In its wild state it is

THE HARD FERN. 147

often found growing in stiff clay soils, but it
rejoices most in fibrous soils in which leaf-mould
largely abounds. It will not be too particular
concerning the soil in which you grow it, but
the nearer you can approach to the conditions
under which it is found growing in greatest
luxuriance in its native woods, heaths, and bogs,
the greater success will attend your cultivation
of it

o

CHAPTER V.

THE ROYAL FERN.
Osmunda regalis.

F royal and noble aspect, indeed, is the Royal
or Flowering Fern. It is the largest and
grandest of our native species, and approaches
more nearly than any other to the form of a
tree fern. Its favourite habitats are the banks
of moorland streams where it can secure abundant
moisture, and a soft, spongy, peaty soil. Often-
times it is found in damp woods, growing in such
situations to an average height of four, five, or six
feet. It is, however, found in greatest luxuriance
in parts of Ireland ; and on the banks of the
lakes of Killarney it sometimes attains a height
of twelve feet, and presents a singularly grand
and beautiful aspect. The root-stock in most of
our native ferns is seldom raised more than a few

THE ROYAL FERN. 149

inches above the surface of the ground : but in
the case of the Royal Fern its root-stock, some-
what after the manner of the tree ferns of the
tropics, is in large specimens raised to a height of
one, or even two feet above the ground, thus form-
ing a kind of pedestal for its tufts of tall and
arching fronds.

The general form of the fronds of this stately
and beautiful fern is lance-like, as, indeed — more
or less broadly or narrowly — are all our British
ferns. But there is a peculiar distinctiveness about
the grand Osmunda which renders it easily recog-
nisable amongst other species. The stem is of a
light yellowish green, and the rachis bears several
pairs of branches, placed on each side of it, and
opposite : each pair diminishing in length towards
the point of the frond. The branches are them-
selves broadly lance-shaped. Ranged in pairs on
each branch are a set of leaflets. These leaflets
are oblong in shape, with broad points and obtuse
bases. In the centre of the base of each leaflet
there is a slight hollow corresponding with the
line of its mid-vein, the continuation of which

150 THE FERN PARADISE.

forms a stem so short, however, as to be scarcely
perceptible without close inspection, but forming
a connecting link with the stem of the branch.
If you hold the frond of the Osmunda against the
light and look through the leaflets you will see a
really beautiful arrangement of veins. There are
two kinds of fronds in the Flowering1 Fern — barren
and fertile. It is the barren frond which we have
been describing. In the fertile frond the lower
portion is similar to the barren frond, but in the"
upper portion the leaflets are contracted, and bear
on their backs dense masses of seed. At first
green, this seed gradually becomes light brown in
colour, and then it almost completely hides the
contracted leaflets on which it is borne: and at
this stage it has somewhat the appearance of a
flower at the top of the frond ; thus giving some
reason for the name which has been given to this
species. In reality, however, the spores of the
Osmunda look like what they are — a cluster of
ripened seed, and bear but a slight resemblance
to a flower.

In bog-land as well as in woodlands and along

THE ROYAL FERN. 151

the streams of moorlands the Royal Fern finds
its habitats. The grand specimens have enormous
roots, and the fern-hunter will have to labour
hard to get them up. But it is a labour of love,
and one not to be delegated to others. After
carefully digging up in the woods and trans-
planting in your fern garden a noble specimen,
there is an immense satisfaction in remembering,
when you see it unroll its fronds in its new home,
that you yourself gathered it. Every time you
look at it the sight brings back the delightful
association of the wild woods and the grand moor-
land scenery, amongst which you wandered in
your fern-hunting rambles.

Pleasing, indeed, almost beyond .expression, are
the scenes which we recall to mind in connection
with the stately Osmunda: scenes of sylvan
beauty of a rare and unusual kind. We will
instance one of these, and the relation may, per-
haps, serve to recall similar scenes to the minds of
our readers.

We had started from Totnes to search on the
borders of Dartmoor for some specimens of the

152 THE FERN PARADISE.

Royal Fern, taking the precaution to provide
ourselves with the necessary digging implements.
Away we drove for seven miles amidst ever
varying landscapes, by copse, hedgerow, stream
and meadow ; now climbing the upland road ;
now — arrived on the upland crest — catching a
momentary glance of the wide landscape, spread,
in its mingled loveliness, over many a long mile ;
now diving down a steep declivity, under the
darkening shadow of overhanging woods. Still
descending, on we went. Now we crossed the
glancing waters of the winding Dart ; and now
again ascending and descending upland after up-
land, we arrived at length at a point of our road
within a few hundred yards of our destination.
Then we turned round to the right and, before
descending a carriage road just wide enough to
admit our barouche, we paused a moment spell-
bound by the transcendent loveliness of the
scene. A valley of woods of varying hues of
green, and in the deepest gorge of the valley
the beautiful Dart, its winding course — where
the glancing water is hidden from view — shown

THE ROYAL FERN. 153

by the taller forms and the darker shade of the
trees on its banks ! A few moments more, and
we have, in following our narrow path, lost the
outside view. We are now, in fact, away from
the sunlight, and under the shade of the tall
and graceful trees of a coppice. Oh, delightful
coolness ! Beneath our feet, soft velvety turf of
glorious golden green ! Above, the tall tree-tops
screening the sunlight and checkering the blue
sky!

But the Osmunda — the stately, the beautiful
Osmunda ! We are close upon its habitat. The
fern abounds in lovely Devonshire, and fringes
the banks of the Dart, and we are now within
sight of that river. We turn from the cop-
pice along a narrow winding path, and as we
proceed onward the sound of rushing water
strikes on our ear ! Now screening branches
deepen the shadows on our way, until presently
the light comes in upon our path through the
tangled shrubs on our right. Putting these on
one side and brushing into their midst, we soon
find ourselves on the river's brink. Then we

154 THE FERN PARADISE,

emerge again into the full daylight. The sun
sparkles on the rippling stream, giving the light
as from ten thousand diamonds ; and here, at
last, bending over the banks — their tall fronds
spreading outwards and moving responsively to
the breeze, which is briskly blowing, — are Os-
mundas in rich profusion ! Hard by is a grand
tuft of the Mountain Buckler Fern, and inter-
mingled with it are equally grand tufts of the
Hard Fern ! Both are on the extreme brink of
the stream, and their roots and those of the
Osmundas are within reach of the abundant
moisture, which is the secret of their grand pro-
portions. Split fragments of rock are scattered
about on the river side and in mid stream, giving
a wild picturesqueness to the whole scene, which
is beyond description lovely. The gurgling,
splashing, foaming water, sparkling with its ten
thousand diamond flashes ; the wood-bounded,
winding banks, with waving fern-fronds, now-
carried aloft and arching outwards with graceful
and majestic symmetry, now softly drooping,
whilst their pendant tips are caught one moment

THE ROYAL FERN. 155

by the impatient stream, to be released the next
and to fling a shower of silver drops around
them.

Who could resist the temptation to carry
away a tiny bit of this river and woodland
scenery, by impounding yon jutting clump of
fern-roots, Osmunda, Hard Fern, and Mountain
Buckler Fern ? There is here enough and to
spare, and nature, in its rich profusion, can well
afford us the pleasure which we derive from the
possession and transplantation of some of our
favourites. Nature asks no questions, demands
no penalties for our spoliation, but freely gives
us up these wild and beautiful plants.

We have them still. Taken from the dewy
moorlands, they nevertheless spread out still
their characteristic loveliness in our fern garden,
although imprisoned within city walls ; and we
never look at them without experiencing a keen
sense of pleasure, as we recall all the circum-
stances of our wild ramble in search of them.

T

CHAPTER VI.

THE MAIDENHAIR.
Adtantum capillus-veneris.

HIS beautiful fern is one of the rarest of
our native species. It is found in Devon-
shire and Cornwall, in some parts of South
Wales, and in Ireland ; in Ireland, in fact, more
abundantly than in any other part of the United
Kingdom. But it is more than possible that the
Maidenhair abounds in some localities where it has
never yet been discovered. It often grows in
inaccessible situations, and this fact would give a.
reason for the supposition which we have started.
Rocks on or near the sea coast, and dripping sea
caves, are its favourite habitats.

The Maidenhair has a black, hairy, creeping
caudex of slender shape, from which are thrown
up a mass of the most beautiful and delicate

THE MAIDENHAIR. 157

fronds. The stems of the fronds are more like
thick hairs than the stems of a plant The general
outline of the frond is lance-like. Its length varies
from six inches to a foot ; but sometimes, under
conditions peculiarly favourable to its growth, it
reaches a length of more than a foot. The stem is
about half the length of the entire frond. Then
commences the rachis, on each side of which, in
irregular alternation, are thrown out the branches
— if they may be so called — of the frond. These
branches, black and shining, are like lesser hairs ;
and to them are fastened on each side, in irregular
order, the delicate fan-shaped leaflets of an ex-
quisite shade of green. The leaflets are fastened
to the branches of the frond by short, hair-like
filaments, black and shining, somewhat like the
stem and branches, but thinner and more delicate.
The spores of the Maidenhair are borne at the
back and on the edge of the leaflets, the margin
of which is folded back to cover them, thus losing
its green colour and becoming blanched.

It is the fortune of few fern-lovers to see the
Maidenhair growing in its wild habitats. But as

1 58 THE FERN PARADISE.

a cultivated plant it is not rare, for, like all our
ferns, the myriads of seeds which each plant bears
favour its extensive propagation. Artificially
grown, it will, in warm, moist, and sheltered
situations, live and thrive in the open-air rockery.
But its excessively delicate nature requires peculiar
care, and renders it more especially adapted for
indoor cultivation. And to grow it successfully
indoors, especial attention must be given to its
requirements. It cannot bear the sudden changes
in temperature to which the atmosphere of some
sitting-rooms is subject. When there is an equable
temperature maintained, and the air is not too
dry, as, for instance, in rooms which are not con-
stantly inhabited, there the Maidenhair will thrive
in pots, in the proper soil, without any covering.
But otherwise a covering of glass is essential, so as
to keep around the plant a perpetual moisture.
With such a covering it will revel in the warmth
of inhabited rooms, and become a delightful com-
panion for the fern-lover, distilling on the points
of its fronds the dewdrops of its prison. A
light soil, suited to the delicate nature of the

THE MAIDENHAIR. 159

plant, must be provided for the Maidenhair. Mix
peat and silver-sand together, the former pre-
dominating, and in the mixture let there be some
broken pieces of limestone or sandstone. Or, if
you will, imbed in the soil two large pieces of lime-
stone or sandstone ; put them near together ; fill
up the interstice with some of the soil you
have prepared, and plant the delicate rhizome of
the Maidenhair between. The pot or case in
which it is grown you should half fill with broken
pieces of stone or flower-pot, intermingled with a
few pieces of charcoal to keep them sweet. Then
upon this mixture of flower-pot and charcoal place
the peat and silver-sand, and thereon plant your
fern. If you have a window in which no sun
shines, you may there suspend your Maidenhair in
the half shell of a cocoa-nut. But holes must be
bored in the bottom of the shell, so that when you
occasionally dip it and its beautiful occupant in
water, the superabundant moisture may drain
away ; for remember that ferns cannot endure
soil rendered unwholesome by stagnant water.
The moisture which they need must be fresh and

160 THE FERN PARADISE,

pure. The exceptional delicacy of the Maidenhair
requires exceptional care ; but do not forget that
for all the care which you bestow upon it, it will
repay you by assuming in its adopted home the
freshest and most delicate shade of delightful
green, and the most delicate of graceful forms.

CHAPTER VII

THE ANNUAL MAIDENHAIR.
Gymnogramma leptophylla.

OOME general resemblance to the Maidenhair
K^ in the arrangement of frond and leaflet, has
entitled the Slender Gymnogram to the name of
" The Annual Maidenhair." But this very pretty
plant is distinguished from all our British ferns by
the short period of its existence — springing up and
dying within the year. A tiny thing it is, only
three or four inches in length, its fronds rising from
a tufted root-stock, which are of a brownish colour,
and smooth. The fronds on the same plant are
graduated in length, preserving no regular shape ;
those at first starting from the root being shorter
and less prolific than those which succeed.
They are somewhat irregularly divided into

II

1 62 THE FERN PARADISE.

branches ; the branches bearing fan-shaped leaflets,
which have their edges notched. On the back of
these lobes or leaflets are the spores. When these
are shed, in the late summer or autumn, the Gym-
nogram dies. The spores, thus shed, germinate,
and the plants produced, attaining maturity in the
following summer, again die, after producing in
their turn the spores for the succeeding season.

Jersey is the only habitat of the Annual
Maidenhair. There it grows in moist hedge-
banks. But, curiously enough, it has an antipathy
to the shade of trees, although it likes, when
growing in the open banks of the hedges, the
shelter of dwarf vegetation ; sometimes choosing
to keep company with the moss which is to be
found in such situations. In cultivation it should
be grown in the greenhouse, or, if in the dwelling-
house, under glass ; and the soil adapted for it is
light sandy loam.

T

CHAPTER VIII.

THE MOUNTAIN PARSLEY FERN.
Allosorus crispus.

O compare this exceedingly pretty little
fern to a tuft of parsley would be to
give it, perhaps, the best general description
which could be found for it. About six inches
is its average height ; but we ourselves have
had specimens brought by a friend from the
neighbourhood of Creetown, in Scotland, seven
or eight inches in length : and it is even pos-
sible that larger specimens might be obtained
from habitats where the conditions of growth
are unusually favourable. The Parsley Fern has
two distinct kinds of frond — barren and fertile.
This distinction in the fronds exists in many
of our native species ; but it is only in some
that, as in the case of the Parsley Fern, the

1 64 THE FERN PARADISE.

conformation of the fertile frond is different from
that of the barren one. Spores may be present
or absent from the backs of the fronds without
necessitating any change in the latter. But it
sometimes happens, as in the case of the Hard
Fern and the Royal Fern, that the edges of the
frond are turned back over the collections of
seed, in order to form the cover or protection
which in most of the species is a separate for-
mation. This turning back of the frond narrows
and gives a different appearance to the leaflets
so turned back. But there is this further dis-
tinction between the barren and fertile fronds
in the Hard Fern and in the Parsley Fern : in
both cases the fertile fronds are much longer
than the barren ones.

The green smooth stem of the Parsley Fern
is somewhat longer than the leafy portion of
the frond. The shape of the latter is triangular.
On each side of the rachis are branches placed
in alternation, and on these are the irregular
serrated leaflets which, from their crisped ap-
pearance, bear, as we have stated, a striking

THE MOUNTAIN PARSLEY FERN. 165

resemblance to parsley. The contraction of the
seed-bearing leaflets on the taller fertile fronds
gives to them an oval rounded appearance. The
roots of the Parsley Fern are thick and matted,
and from its crown the fronds grow in dense
tufts. They are of a delightful green colour,
and the whole plant forms a conspicuous orna-
ment of the places where it grows. It is some-
times called " the Rock Brakes," from its habit of
growing in stony places and on rocks and old
walls. It is essentially a north-of-England fern,
although it is found in Scotland and abundantly
in Wales. Some plants have indeed been dis-
covered— so it has been alleged — on Exmoor,
near Challacombe; but it is not a Devonshire
fern.

In the cultivation of the Parsley Fern one
thing must be borne in mind : it cannot endure
stagnant moisture, and indeed it does not like
too much moisture of any kind, especially about
its roots. Plant it, if in a pot, in a mixture of
sandy peat and broken pieces of stone or flower-
pot It is delicately susceptible of frosts, and

166 THE FERN PARADISE.

its pretty fronds when exposed on your open
rockery will die away on the approach of winter ;
but when the soft genial spring comes round
again the new fronds will bud into life once more
with all their old green and crisped freshness.

CHAPTER IX.

THE BRISTLE FERN.

Trichomanes radicans.

"TAOWN on yon dripping rock, where, from
the perpetual spray flung by the ever-
roaring waterfall above, an eternal moisture
reigns ; where the arid winds of winter and
the dry scorching heat of summer can never
change the prevading dampness, which continues
with unceasing persistence, grows the Bristle
Fern ! An eternal moisture is the vital principle
of its existence. Not its roots merely, but
crown, stem, and frond must be surrounded con-
tinuously, unceasingly, by moist vapours. Unlike
the hardy ferns, which will look fresh and green
in the sunshine or when exposed to the play of the
dry summer breezes, if their roots can drink in some
moisture from wall, rock, or hedge-bank, the Bristle

168 THE FERN PARADISE.

Fern shrivels up, through its exquisite sensitive-
ness, before the slightest drought. Nursed in the
atmosphere of the waterfall, in that atmosphere
must it live and develop.

Rare indeed amongst British ferns is Tricho-
manes radicans. Not England or Wales or
Scotland can produce it. But it seems to have
made a home for itself in the south of Ireland.
There, in many localities, by river- falls, on drip-
ping rocks on the lake borders, in ravines
and glens, it is to be found: but only where
unceasing dampness, caused by dripping water,
exists. On the wet surface of the rock or wall
which it has chosen for its habitat it spreads
its thread-like, matted roots like a film. Some-
times it grows amongst the moss and earth
which may have collected on the rocks. It
has a creeping rhizome, from which grow its
fibrous roots, that cling to the damp rocks
or expand in the moist crevices between
them. The rhizome is encompassed with hairs
or bristle-like scales. The stem of the frond
is usually about half the length of its leafy

THE BRISTLE FERN. 169

part, the shape of which, from the point where
the rachis commences, is somewhat acutely tri-
angular. To the right and to the left of the
rachis, and extending to the point of the frond,
are a series of alternately-placed branches bear-
ing leaflets deeply cleft, although not divided
down to the midrib of the branches. The
leafy expansion surrounding the veins of the leaf-
lets is of a thin, pellucid, almost transparent
texture. Indeed were the plant held up to the
light it would seem to consist of a series of
branched, wire-like veins, and the leafy texture
surrounding these veins would have the appear-
ance of delicate, filmy, semi-transparent wings.
The spores of the Bristle Fern are produced
under a curious arrangement. A sort of bristle,
which is in reality placed in continuation of the
veins of the leaflet, extends beyond the tip of
the latter. At the point of the bristle, placed
like a crown, is a little receptacle for seed ; and
in this receptacle, as well as along the sides
of the bristle, seed is also found. Just where
the bristle passes beyond the tip of the leaflet,

i;o THE FERN PARADISE.

the substance of the latter is thickened, and the
bristle has the appearance of being inserted in a
sort of urn. The bristle-like arrangement has
given rise to the name of this fern. It will be
easily understood, when the delicate, pellucid,
filmy texture of the fronds of this beautiful species
is remembered, why it is that it cannot exist
except in an atmosphere which is perpetually
charged with moisture.

The Bristle Fern can only be grown under
a covering of glass ; but it may thus be culti-
vated with great success, if due care be taken
to imitate as nearly as possible the conditions
which are natural to it. Peat and silver-sand
and pieces of freestone should compose the
soil. The plant should be placed between the
pieces of stone, and the pot or case in which
it is contained must be kept constantly covered
with a glass shade or frame, so as to retain
the utmost possible amount of moisture. Under
such conditions it will grow luxuriantly; and it
is well worthy of care, for it is a plant of great
rarity and of exquisite delicacy.

A

CHAPTER X.

THE MOONWORT.
Botrychium hinaria.

N unpretending little fern is the Moonwort ;
but, nevertheless, exceedingly pretty. It is
a by no means uncommon species, although, whilst
very abundant in some districts, it is quite
absent from others. The fronds grow to various
heights, according to circumstances ; sometimes
only three inches, at other times ten or more.
As the bud of the frond grows up, it emerges
from a sort of brown membraneous sheath, which
envelops for some distance the lower part of the
stem of the frond as in a case. The Moonwort
grows from a curious, twisted, fleshy root, of a
brittle substance, and succulent in its nature.
From these fleshy roots springs up the thick
stem of the frond. This consists of two divisions,
a leafy and a fruitful frond. The leafy portion

172 THE FERN PARADISE.

is carried outwards and upwards, away from the
stem obliquely. It consists of a single branch,
of oblong shape but blunt pointed, on both sides
of which are a series of leaflets placed along at
regular intervals, supported by short stems on
their somewhat flat bases, and crescent or fan-
shaped, their rounded outside margins being some-
what cut or indented. Rising above this leafy or
barren frond is the fertile or seed-bearing frond.
This is branched after a similar arrangement to
that of the barren or leafy frond, each branch con-
taining a cluster of seeds enclosed in globular cases.
The Moonwort abounds in open heaths and
meadows, delighting to grow amongst the grass,
on which, as some persons have asserted, it be-
comes a parasite. Hence in transplanting it for
the home fernery, it is recommended that it should
be taken up from the ground with a good-sized
square of turf, so that the roots may not be dis-
turbed. Loamy or peaty soil is adapted for it ;
and you can grow it on rockery, or in pots. It
dies at the approach of winter ; appearing again
on the early approach of spring.

CHAPTER XI.

THE ADDERS-TONGUE.
Cphioglossitm vulgatum.

OOMEWHAT similar in its general habit to
v-' the Moonwort is the Adders-tongue. Like
the former plant it is found in meadows, seeking,
however, those which are very damp from the
fact of having a clayish soil, and from being
subject to occasional inundations. It grows to
a length of from six inches to a foot high, the
variation in length depending, as is the case
with all ferns, and, indeed, with all plants, upon
the conditions — whether favourable or otherwise —
under which it is found growing. It has a
twisted, fleshy root like the Moonwort, and a
succulent stem. The frond is divided into two
parts, — a barren leaf and a fertile spike or
stem. There is a general resemblance in the
Adders-tongue — leaf and seed-bearing spike —

174 THE FERN PARADISE.

to a leaf of the lily-of-the-valley, with its flower-
spike unfolded. The base of the leaf in the
Adders-tongue envelops the seed-spike which
rises erect from the point of junction, whilst the
leaf — which is somewhat egg-shaped, or more
exactly, perhaps, pear-shaped — passes upwards in
an oblique direction to a bluntish point The
bare stem of the seed-bearing spike is usually
about an inch in length, although it is sometimes
more. Then commences the fructification, which
is arranged in two rows — one on each side of
the spike — of seed cases. These contain the dust-
like spores, and when the latter are ripe the cases
split across and release them. The spike, at its
top, tapers to a point.

The Adders-tongue is plentifully scattered over
England, in such situations as those which have
been named. It is not quite so plentiful either in
Scotland, in Wales, or in Ireland. It will grow
easily in the fern-garden, or in pots, if the proper
amount of care be taken to transplant it properly,
and to imitate as nearly as possible in cultivation
the conditions under which it grows in a state of

THE ADDERS-TONGUE. 175

nature. As in the case of the Bracken and the
Moonwort, it is necessary, in order to secure
success, to take care in removing the plant to
remove as much as possible of the soil in which
it is found growing, without disturbing the roots
of the fern. Both the Moonwort and the Adders-
tongue are found growing in general in open mea-
dows or heaths, amongst the grass which abounds
in such situations. There is a double advantage in
getting up your fern without disturbing its roots.
In the first place you make sure that it will grow ;
and in the next place you ensure its commencing
to grow immediately on removal. You, in fact,
bring with your fern a bit of the meadow, or wild
heath, and in your home "Fern Paradise" you
at once surround your favourite with the delightful
association of its habitat. The Adders-tongue
does not, perhaps, possess in full measure the
attractions of some other members of the beautiful
fern family ; but it is, nevertheless, beautiful in its
simplicity ; and it should by no means be banished
from the fern-house, or the fern-garden, or, indeed,
from any part of cultivated fern-land.

A

CHAPTER XII.

THE LITTLE ADDERS-TONGUE.

Ophioglossum lusitanicum.
TINY little fern, sufficiently near in its

semblance to the Adders-tongue major to
claim close relationship. A British fern it is,
but hardly an inhabitant of England, — although
it has been stated that specimens have been
found in Cornwall. But in Guernsey it has
its habitats, having been found near some
rocks in that charming little nook, Petit Bot
Bay. Like the Adders-tongue major, Ophio-
glosstim lusitanictim has one barren frond —
sometimes two — and an erect spike of fructifi-
cation. But the barren frond, instead of
being pear-shaped, is lance-shaped, simple,
unscalloped, much smaller, and much nar-
rower than in Vulgatum. Like the latter, it

THE LITTLE ADDERS-TONGUE. 177

rises from a fleshy, brittle cluster of twisted
roots ; but unlike Vulgatum, barren stem and
seed-bearing spike, instead of rising some dis-
tance together above ground in the form of a
stem, before separating into the leafy and the
fertile branches, in most instances start separately
from the ground. Like its relative Vulgatum, the
Little Adders-tongue has a stem to its seed-
bearing spike which rises above the barren frond.
At the top of the spike begins the fructification ;
an arrangement of two rows of cases — one on
each side of the stalk supporting them. In these
cases are the dust-like spores, which, as they ripen,
escape through the crevices formed by the splitting
of their little prison houses.

One peculiarity must be noted in the Little
Adders-tongue. Vulgatum first sends up its
frond in May, from which time it remains
until the late summer, when it disappears — the
root remaining dormant — until the succeeding
spring; but Lusitanicum starts into life and
vitality in dreary January, lasts only a short
two or three months, and perishes very early

12

i ?8 THE FERN PARADISE.

in the season, — even before the actual com-
mencement of summer.

The modest little fern only reaches a height
of two or three inches. It is, indeed, even more
unpretending than Vulgatum. But its habitats
are similar; and in obtaining it for cultivation
the same precautions must be used. From its
tiny size, there will, of course, be less difficulty
in transplanting it with a sufficiency of its native
soil. Let its roots be undisturbed; and take it
up bodily in the turf on which it is found grow-
ing. If you wish to plant it in your fern-garden,
place your turf with its tiny freight in the selected
situation. If you would grow it in a pot, secure
one of the size necessary to hold the fern and its
surrounding tuft of grass and grassy roots.

Stdwra II

FERN GROUPS.

SECTION II.

FERN GROUPS.

r I SHERE is relationship in the fern-world ;
and although we do not propose strictly
to adopt the distinctions made by botanists, we
shall observe a certain order in arranging our
favourites. Hitherto we have described those
ferns which live, so to speak, in a sort of isola-
tion. Of the ten first described, each one stands
alone, and is, so far as Britain is concerned, the
only species of its genus. In treating of these,
we have not thought it necessary to place them
according to any particular method of arrange-
ment. There is a certain relationship existing
between the Moonwort and the Adders-tongue,
and there is even a closer affinity between the
two species of the last-named fern ; but we
have not considered it necessary to place these

1 82 THE FERN PARADISE.

three species amongst the "fern groups" which
we shall now proceed to describe. We propose
to follow pretty closely the order observed by
the botanists — arranging the thirty ferns which
we have yet to speak of in seven groups. These
we shall call the Polypodies, the Shield Ferns, the
Buckler Ferns, the Spleenworts, the Bladder Ferns,
the Woodsias, and the Filmy Ferns.

THE POLYPODIES.

CHAPTER I.

THE POLYPODIES.

I. THE COMMON POLYPODY.

Polypodium vulgare.

E of our most delightful ferns is the Common
Polypody. It is positively refreshing and
invigorating to look at it. We have good reason
to think so, for as we write we have a splendid
specimen standing beside us on our table, in a
shallow seed-pan ; and it does us good to pause
now and then, and look at its glorious wealth of
magnificent fronds. This same specimen was some
few weeks since growing on the moss-covered wall
which skirted a Devonshire brook. When we got
it, in its wild state, its fronds had attained what
is generally regarded as their maximum length, —
namely, eighteen inches. And what exquisite
roots ! A perfect network of fibres, which, grow-
ing in the perpetual moisture engendered under

186 THE FERN PARADISE.

the mossy covering of the wall, had crept along
until they formed a sheet nearly a foot square.
Then, the atmosphere of the brook had wonderfully
helped the vigorous growth of the plant. We took
our specimens from their damp and mossy habitat —
carefully preserved them during our stay in Devon-
shire, by keeping them constantly moist — and then
brought them to our London home. But we did
not forget to supply as nearly as possible the
conditions under which we found them growing
in their natural home. Shade, moisture, and leaf-
mould, are the three conditions of success for
the Common Polypody. It requires no great
depth of soil; but that soil must be leaf-mould.
We brought the leaf-mould from Devonshire with
our little stock of Polypodies. Some of these we
planted out in our rockery. All have succeeded
to perfection. But the grand plant before us
has exceeded our most sanguine expectations.
All we did was simply to strew the bottom of a
small seed-pan — nine inches wide by three inches
deep — with broken pieces of flower-pot ; upon that
to place leaf-mould, and plant our Polypody there-

THE POLYPODIES. 187

in, covering its rhizome lightly with the mould. We
then placed the pah upon a large red clay saucer,
and poured water on the roots until the saucer
underneath was full. We continued this process
from time to time, never allowing the rhizomes of
our Polypody to become dry, and always keeping
the saucer underneath the pan full of water. We
have our reward in the grand development of the
plant. The fronds have exceeded by one inch
their maximum growth when we found them in
their wild habitat. The seed-pan is crowned with
a mass of rich, vigorous fronds, nineteen inches in
length. The old fronds had all got broken off
before we planted our specimen ; so that its present
ones are all the new growth under the conditions
which we have described.

But now for some detailed description of this
delightful fern. The Common Polypody is dis-
tributed very generally throughout the United
Kingdom. In the forks of trees ; on pollard
trunks ; on garden walls and old ruins ; in the
moist crevices of rocks in mid river; on moss-
covered hedge-banks; almost everywhere on eleva-

1 88 THE FERN PARADISE.

tions above the ground level where accumulations
of leaf-mould lie in hollows with pent moisture, will
the Common Polypody grow, thriving most vigo-
rously in situations where its roots are subject to
the most favourable conditions of soil and moisture.
Most appropriately is it called the Polypody —
the Many-Footed Fern — for its rhizomes creep in
all directions under its shady covering. From these
thick, fleshy rhizomes — about a finger's thickness —
grow its matted fibrous roots. These, thread-like,
penetrate almost everywhere in a horizontal direc-
tion, growing and spreading with the progress of
the rhizomes, from the upper surface of which start
the clustering fronds. These are simple, narrow,
and strap-shaped in general outline, having a
smooth, light green stem, sometimes about half
the length of the entire frond, but generally some-
what less. On each side of the very prominent
midrib, or rachis, the leafy portion of the frond is
deeply indented or cut in, almost down to the
midrib, giving the appearance of a row of leaflets
on each side of the rachis, attached to a leafy
wing, extending along it lengthwise. These leaflets

THE POLYPODIES. 189

are somewhat narrow and lance-shaped, being termi-
nated in a bluntish point. The entire frond, like
its leaflets, tapers to a point, the leaflets becoming
shorter and shorter to admit of this arrangement.
The frond, in fact, has somewhat the appearance of
a rough double-toothed comb. Under shelter, the
Polypody is evergreen, its delightful fronds remain-
ing fresh and vigorous throughout the winter, and
until a new crop has been supplied from the rhizo-
mes in the succeeding spring. At the back, and on
the upper portion of the frond, are the spores, in
little round patches, unprotected by any covering.
These, in the autumn, assume the beautiful ap-
pearance of little heaps of gold-dust, so richly
coloured are they.

Essentially a forest fern is the Common Poly-
pody, waving its delightful fronds aloft in the tree
forks. But it has also wonderful powers of domes-
tication. No fern is so plentifully vended in the
London streets as our Polypody ; for Epping
Forest — that delightful strip of greenwood — fur-
nishes the plant in thousands. In beautiful Devon-
shire it grows not only on garden walls, but on the

190 THE FERN PARADISE,

housetops, under cottage eaves, and indeed almost
everywhere; and in cultivation it will smile re-
freshingly on your efforts to preserve it. It is,
finally, though plentiful, not common ; and though
simple, it is beautiful.

2. THE MOUNTAIN POLYPODY.

Polypodium phegopteris.

A GENTLE member — soft and graceful — of the
charming family of Polypodies, is the Beech or
Mountain Fern. Not possessed of the astonishing
vigour of its relative Vulgare, it quails before the
cutting autumnal winds ; and bending to the cold,
becomes dormant during the winter, but reappears
with dewy grace when beautiful May returns. In
damp woods and mountains moist grows the
Mountain Polypody. A slender rhizome it has,
which creeps extensively, producing black fibrous
roots. From the upper surface of its creeping
rhizomes start its fronds, growing from a height
of six inches to more than eighteen.- There is a

THE POLYPODIES. 191

great length of stem in this beautiful fern, the
stem being sometimes twice as long as the leafy
portion of the frond, the shape of which is trian-
gular. The stem is exceedingly brittle and herba-
ceous, and its lower portion is covered with light
scales. The leafy part of the frond is in colour
a light delicate green, and it has a peculiarly
downy appearance. On each side of the rachis
is a row of leaflets, shortening as they near the
point of the frond. These leaflets are narrow and
tapering, terminating in a point, and the lowest
and longest pair stand on the rachis or midrib
of the frond, quite distinct from the others ; but
those on the upper portion of the frond are con-
nected by a sort of leafy wing, which runs on each
side of the rachis; and in this way the leaflets
become gradually merged, until the frond ends in
a serrated point. One peculiarity about this fern
must be noted. The lowest, and also the longest,
pair of leaflets are turned downwards, their
points being directed from the rachis obliquely
towards the ground, giving a curious appearance
to the frond. Along the entire length of each

192 THE FERN PARADISE.

leaflet, under a sort of marginal arrangement, lie
the spores, in little round unprotected clusters.
The leaflets themselves are deeply notched or
cleft, those on the lowest part of the rachis being
each divided almost down to its mid-vein. But the
notches on those leaflets which are higher up on
the frond are not so deeply cleft.

The habitats of the Mountain Polypody are
necessarily moist, the plant mostly delighting in
an excess of moisture. Hence it will be found
growing oftentimes immediately contiguous to
waterfalls, because there the atmosphere is per-
petually loaded with moist exhalations. It is not
rare, except in Ireland, although in Great Britain it
is found more abundantly in the northern than in
the southern counties. It occurs in Ireland, but it
is sparsely distributed throughout that country. In
Scotland, and in both North and South Wales, it
is to be found.

The Mountain Polypody is essentially a shady
fern; for, less hardy than Polypodium vulgare, it
will not bear so well the sunshine. It will grow
readily, however, wherever you place it, if in a

THE POLYPODIES. 193

moist and shady nook, whether on the open rockery,
or indoors in pots, or under glass. It must have
a soil very similar to that in which the Common
Polypody delights. But with the leaf-mould some
peat may be mixed with advantage, together with
sand. Indeed, all soil for ferns needs an admixture
of sand to keep the composition sufficiently light
and porous. Peat is never found in the situations
chosen by the Common Polypody; but the Beech
Fern, growing at lower elevations, comes within the
range of peat. Hence the desirability of an ad-
mixture of peat in the compost used to grow this
fern in cultivation. But leaf-mould is the chief
vitalizing element in its growth.

3. THE THREE-BRANCHED POLYPODY.
Polypodium dryopteris.

THE charming colour of the Three-branched
Polypody, or, as it is also called, the Oak Fern,
is its most marked characteristic — a kind of
light golden green that is most refreshing to look

13

194 THE FERN PARADISE,

upon, and is of a tint that is most exquisite!}
delicate and beautiful. The pretty little fern is ir
general very abundant in the localities where it
is found ; but these are chiefly away from th;
southern counties of England. In the north-
western counties, in Wales, and also in Scotland,
it is plentifully distributed. In Ireland it is rare
It is found in very much the same situations a<-
the Mountain Polypody; and it delights in the
same kind of soil, but it does not need quite the
same amount of moisture which is demanded by
Polypodium phegopteris. Like all the Polypodies,
it has a creeping rhizome. In fact, it is a wonderful
traveller: and, in cultivation, is often found to
come up in places where it is not expected, so
extensively does it creep. From the under surface
of the rhizome, or creeping root-stock, proceed its
fibrous roots ; and these oftentimes, when thj
fern is growing on a spongy bed of leaf-
mould, become densely matted. From all parts
of its travelling rhizome start the pretty and
delicate fronds; sometimes in such profusion
as to give to them the appearance of a

THE POLYPODIES. 195

miniature forest of beautiful green. The average
height to which the fronds grow is about six
inches. But luxuriant specimens growing under
favourable conditions attain several inches more
than that. Most delicate and fragile are the
frond-stems, which are generally as long again
as the leafy portion of the frond.

The three-branched habit of this fern, which is
so distinctly characteristic of it, is indicated in the
incipient stage of the frond's growth ; for each
branch is then rolled up in a little ball. At this
stage, therefore, there is the curious appearance oi
the stipes with three wire-like branches at its top,
having three little green balls at their tips. When
the three little balls have become fully unfolded
the entire frond is broadly triangular in shape.
The branch in the centre of the three is in a line
with the continuation of the main stem ; and at
right angles with this, branch are the two lateral
ones : there being a clear space of stem between
the point, where, at the top of the stipes, the three
branches unite, and the commencement of the
leafy portion of each branch. The largest of the

196 THE FERN PARADISE

three branches is the central or uppermost one.
Each branch of the Oak Fern is triangular in
shape, and consists of pairs of leaflets, which at
the base of the branch are connected with it by
a short but distinct stalk. The lowest and the
longest of these leaflets are again divided ; towards
their apex, however, the divisions becoming less
deep. The other leaflets on the branch become
shorter and shorter, and are simply notched near
its top. On the back of the frond are borne the
little round golden patches of seed.

The Oak Fern is a charming plant for cultiva-
tion. If planted on rock-work and sheltered from
the sunshine it will grow luxuriantly. Indoors
also its cultivation may be successfully pursued.
It is the queen of the Polypodies.

THE POLYPODIES. 197

4. THE LIMESTONE POLYPODY.

Polypodium calcareum.

TALLER, darker in hue, and hardier than its rela-
tive the Oak Fern, is the Limestone Polypody.
From a height of six inches to a foot, and some-
times more, it grows, generally preferring a lime-
stone soil ; hence its name. The frond differs
from that of the Oak Fern in not having the
same arrangement of three distinct branches. Its
colour, too, is very distinct, being a dark green,
having, as we venture to think, a decidedly bluish
tinge. The stem is usually about the same
length as the leafy portion of the frond. The
shape of the latter is triangular. The pair of
branches at its base are considerably larger than
the pair above it. The four branches are attached
to the rachis, each by a short stem. But the
branches — or rather they should be termed in this
case the leaflets — above the two lowest pairs on
the frond are closely attached to the rachis
without the intervention of any stalk, and they
gradually diminish in length, and finally blend

198 THE FERN PARADISE.

into the point of the frond. Placed on opposite
sides of the stem, on the two lowest pairs of
branches, are pairs of leaflets ; the largest of which
— those nearest the commencement of the rachis
— being quite separated from the pairs next them,
and themselves slightly notched or serrated. The
succeeding pairs of leaflets are less and less
notched, and less separated from the outer pairs,
until they finally blend in the point of the branch
in the same way as the branches blend at the
point of the frond. The same gradual process is
observable in the upper branches or leaflets of the
frond, the lobes on the lowest of these branches
being divided down to the midrib at the base of
the branch, and less divided towards its point.
The fourth pair of branches or leaflets from the
commencement of the rachis is deeply notched
only: the next pair above less notched and less
distinct, and so on until, as before explained, they
all blend in a point.

The Limestone Polypody has not a wide distri-
bution. It occurs in localities in the north of
England, and is found in some parts of the West

THE POLYPODIES. 199

and in Wales. But from Scotland and Ireland
it is almost entirely absent. It is, however, not
an uncommon fern in the limestone districts where
it grows.

It is very much hardier in its constitution than
the Oak Fern, and will sometimes thrive well
when placed on the sunny or exposed part of a
rockery, or in the most sunny part of a greenhouse.
The soil which suits the other Polypodies will suit
Polypodium calcareum. But from its fondness for
limestone it will be supposed that the presence of
limestone in the soil is desirable. In cultivation,
therefore, small pieces of limestone should be
mixed with the soil in which it is grown. Like
all the Polypodies it has a creeping rhizome, which
travels half under the surface of the ground, its
matted fibrous roots finding their way into the
lower depths of the soil in which it grows, whilst
from its upper surface grow the clusters of dark
bluish-green fronds.

THE SHIELD FERNS.

CHAPTER II.

THE SHIELD FERNS.

I. THE HARD PRICKLY SHIELD FERN.
Polystichum aculeatum.

E Hard, or Common Prickly Shield Fern
is one of the grandest and most robust
of our native ferns, oftentimes reaching a height
of three or four feet. Evergreen in character,
its fronds survive the frosts of winter. It has
a grand root-stock, from the under surface of
which proceeds a dense mass of long, tough,
fibrous roots. From its vigorous tufted crown
this beautiful fern sends up a circle of fronds,
which grow in shuttlecock fashion, their tips
gracefully bending outwards. The stem or stipes
of the Hard Prickly Shield Fern is somewhat
short, but stiff and rigid, and covered with scales.
The general outline of the frond is lance-shaped ;
broad, however, at the base, and tapering up-

204 THE FERN PARADISE.

wards. The frond is divided into narrow taper-
ing branches alternately placed along and on
each side of the mid-stem or rachis. These
branches are again divided into leaflets, each
leaflet being wing-shaped and attached to the
mid-stem of the branch by a short but distinct
stalk. The arrangement of these leaflets is as
follows : — The mid-stems of the branches — which,
as before stated, run at intervals along each side
of the rachis — are placed at right angles with the
latter. On these branch mid-stems are arranged,
in the most beautiful order, wing-shaped leaflets
— one row above and one row underneath the
stem. The first leaflet next the rachis, on the
upper part of each stem, is much larger than
the others, but with this exception all the leaflets
gradually become diminished in size as they
proceed from the rachis towards the point of
each branch. This gradation of leaflets over and
under the stem goes on until the branch ends
in a point Each leaflet is sharply spiked or
toothed, and hence the prickly appearance of this
fern. The fronds are dark green in colour and

THE SHIELD FERNS. 205

rigid in texture. When the Hard Prickly Shield
Fern has reached maturity in September, the
backs of all its leaflets, in the upper portion of
the frond, are densely covered with rich-brown
clusters of seed-cases.

The Hard Prickly Shield Fern is very widely
and plentifully distributed throughout the United
Kingdom, growing chiefly in shady hedge-banks
and on tree-covered hilly slopes. Few of our ferns
are so robust as this species, and few can bear
the sunlight better. But, although hardy in the
extreme, it prefers — like all ferns — shade and
moisture, and grows more luxuriantly under
conditions where these are secured than when
exposed to the sunlight or subjected to the open
force of the winds. We found a grand specimen
of Polystichum aculeatum on a steep slope in
the woods surrounding Berry Pomeroy Castle, in
South Devon. It was nearly four feet long ; and
its rigid, robust, prickly-looking, dark shining-
green fronds made it a striking object.

In the garden, on the rockery, or in the house,
this fern will grow magnificently. It will thrive

ao6 THE FERN PARADISE.

even in common garden soil ; but it will thrive
best in true fern soil — a peaty, loamy, sandy
mixture.

2. THE SOFT PRICKLY SHIELD FERN.
Polystichum angulare.

NOTHING puzzled us more in our earlier fern-
hunting excursions than the distinction between
the Hard and Soft Prickly Shield Ferns. The
two ferns are usually considered as distinct
species, although some botanists rank them
both as one species — Polystichum aculcatum — re-
garding Angulare merely as a variety. We have
chosen to consider them as distinct species,
and shall now indicate the points of diffe-
rence which we have noted, showing at the
same time up to what point the two ferns are
like each other. In being generally distributed
throughout the United Kingdom the one resem-
bles the other. Both ordinarily grow in the
same situations, and the fronds of Angulare, like
those of Aculeatum, are lance-shaped, and grow

THE SHIELD FERNS. 207

oftentimes to a length of four or five feet under
favourable circumstances. In the Soft as well as
the Hard Prickly Shield Fern, the branches of
the frond are alternately placed along the rachis.
The leaflets, too, are cut and stalked very much
in the same manner in both ferns, and, in both,
are of a wing-shaped form. In both, also, the
branches of the frond are narrow and taper to a
point.

But now for the distinctions we have noted.
In a finely grown specimen of Angulare, the cha-
racter which gives appropriateness to the designa-
tion of this fern is immediately recognised. The
hard rigid appearance of Aculeatum is absent.
Angulare is, in fact, much less stiff in its mode of
growth, and looks much more graceful and droop-
ing. Its stipes is more densely covered with rust-
coloured scales than is the case with Aculeatum,
and these rust-coloured scales are scattered, also,
over the whole of the back of the frond, being
very prominently displayed on the rachis, and on
the midribs of the branches. There is, conse-
quently, a rich reddish tinge on the backs of the

208 THE FERN PARADISE.

fronds, and, indeed, in a great measure on both
sides of the fronds of Angulare. The green
colour of the leaflets in Angulare is also in general
much lighter — oftentimes, in fact, a yellowish or
golden kind of green — than is the case with
Aculeatum. More than this, the bristles on the
points of the leaflets are not so sharp-set or so
prominent in Angulare as in Aculeatum. The
fronds of the Soft Prickly Shield Fern are, too,
more closely set together around the crown, more
regular in their arrangement, and more gracefully
and compactly placed shuttlecock fashion. So
closely, indeed, are the frond-stems set together,
and so densely clothed with rust-coloured scales,
that, in well grown specimens, they form quite
a cup or hollow, and give the appearance of a
circular wall rising on the crown of the plant, and
completely clothed with a beautiful drapery of
reddish scales.

Under cultivation the same conditions will
apply to Angulare as those which apply to
Aculeatum. The latter, however, appears more
hardy and better able to withstand the frosts,

THE SHIELD FERNS. 209

doubtless on account of the more evergreen, rigid,
and vigorous character of its fronds. Both ferns
are beautiful; but there is a soft beauty and
a gracefulness of aspect about the Soft Prickly
Shield Fern, scarcely possessed in the same
degree by its more robust relative, Aculeatum.

3. THE HOLLY FERN.
Polystichum lonchitis.

DIFFERING in many essential points from the
other species of Polystichum, the Holly Fern has,
nevertheless, a clearly defined relationship to
Aculeatum and Angulare. It is, indeed, a singular-
looking yet withal a beautiful fern ; and its
leaflets possess a sufficiently near resemblance
to the leaves of a holly-bush to warrant the
name which it bears. Sometimes this fern grows
to a height of only six inches or so. At other
times it may be found exceedingly vigorous, grow-
ing as long as eighteen inches, and under such cir-
cumstances very stiff and erect in habit. It is a

14

210 THE FERN PARADISE.

somewhat rare plant, but is found in certain
localities in Scotland — some of the mountainous
districts — and in Ireland, being in those countries
more plentiful than in England and Wales. In
England its distribution is confined to the
northern counties.

A tufted root-stock ; a short scaly stem ; a frond
narrowly lance-shaped, consisting of two rows of
wing-shaped serrated leaflets, diminishing in size
by gradation towards the tip of the frond. Such
is the Holly Fern. Its peculiarity is that it has
no branches like the other two species of its kind,
Aculeatum and Angulare ; but one simple rachis
clothed on each side with a row of spiny leaflets.
In fact, it has a sort of general resemblance to
a single branch of Polystichum aculeatum. One
peculiarity about the leaflets of this fern must be
noticed. The upper portion of each one next
the rachis projects a little over the leaflet imme-
diately above it. The leaflets are attached to the
rachis by a narrow point ; but without the inter-
vention of a stalk.

The fronds of the Holly Fern are robust and

THE SHIELD FERNS. 211

evergreen in character — dark green in colour — rigid,
and prickly looking. They withstand the frost, and
often remain until the new spring fronds are pro-
duced. It may be grown in the fern-garden, or
in the house ; and the soil it needs should be
composed of light loam, peat, and sand. It is
said to be difficult to cultivate, especially in the
west of England ; but we have seen it successfully
grown there, in the open garden. It is an exceed-
ingly handsome fern, and is well worthy of the
utmost care which can be bestowed upon it.

THE BLADDER FERNS.

CHAPTER III.

THE BLADDER FERNS.

I. THE BRITTLE BLADDER FERN.

Cystopteris fragilis.

'TpHE name given to the delicate and beautiful
ferns included under the genus Cystopteris,
is on account of the bladder-like coverings of the
spores on the backs of their fronds. The fragile
Bladder Fern is ordinarily seen about six inches
in height ; but it sometimes grows to the height
of a foot or more. The frond-stem is tender,
herbaceous, and very brittle, having just a few
light-coloured scales at its base. The fronds grow
from a tufted root-stock, and come up in clusters :
the crown of the root-stock spreading to admit of
this. The shape of the frond is lance-like, tapering
slightly to the base, as well as tapering gradually
to a point at the top. The lowest pair of branches

216 THE FERN PARADISE.

on the rachis is shorter than the pair immediately
above it ; but from that pair to the point of the
frond the successive pairs gradually diminish
in length. The pairs of branches on each side
of the frond are not placed exactly opposite
one another, but according to a somewhat ir-
regular arrangement. The branches themselves
are distinctly lance-shaped ; and on each side,
above and below them, is a row of leaflets,
egg-shaped in general outline, and notched or
saw-edged. On the back of the fronds the little
bladder-like clusters of seeds are frequently so
plentiful that they become confluent. Although
somewhat rare in Ireland — except in two or three
localities in that country — it is nevertheless widely
distributed throughout the rest of the United
Kingdom ; being, indeed, in some places very
abundant.

The delicate Brittle Bladder Fern is easily
grown. Give it leaf-mould, peat and sand, shade,
and an abundance of water, and whether — with
such soil and subject to such conditions — you place
It in a cool stony nook of your rockery, or in

THE BLADDER FERNS. 217

pots, indoors, it will equally thrive. If you grow
it in pots, plant it amongst some stones, not for-
getting, however, to give it the appropriate soil.
The more nearly you can approach, in your treat-
ment of it, its natural conditions of growth, the
more certain is your prospect of successfully culti-
vating it.

2. THE ALPINE BLADDER FERN.
Cystoptcris regia.

THIS is an exceedingly rare species of the British
Ferns. Similar in some respects to the Brittle
Bladder Fern, it differs from the latter chiefly in
size, growing ordinarily to a height of only four
or five inches ; but sometimes becoming a few
inches taller. It has a short brittle stem, some-
what scaly at the part nearest the ground. In
this ^species the branches of the frond, although
similar to those of Fragilis, are placed more di-
rectly opposite each other. The stipes is shorter
than in Fragilis: the frond-branches are also
shorter, corresponding with the smaller size of

21 8 THE FERN PARADISE.

the plant, and instead of being ordinarily lance-
shaped, the general form of the branches may be
called either bluntish lance-shaped, or egg-shaped.
In the same way the leaflets on the branches are
also somewhat egg-shaped ; but they are much
more deeply cleft or serrated than is the case with
the leaflets in Fragilis ; so deeply cleft, indeed,
sometimes, that the leaflets are divided into lobes
or divisions.

The Alpine Bladder Fern is an exquisitely
beautiful little plant. It will grow under culti-
vation as readily as Cystopteris fragilis, and may
be planted either in the open air, on the fern
rockery in a cool shady spot, in pots in the house,
or under the protection of a covering of glass. For
soil the lightest composition must be made. Peat,
silver-sand, light friable loam, and leaf-mould,
in equal proportions. If planted in a pot there
should be in the bottom of the pot a thick stratum
of broken flower-pot or soft broken bricks, together
with some pieces of charcoal, — the charcoal being
introduced to keep stagnation from the roots of
the plant by the filtration of the water through the

THE BLADDER FERNS. 219

drainage of broken flower-pot or bricks. Like
Cystopteris fragilis our little Cystopteris regia has
a tufted root-stock, from which spring up clusters
of beautiful, delicate, herbaceous, charmingly-green
fronds.

3. THE MOUNTAIN BLADDER FERN.
Cystopteris montana.

ONE of the very rarest of our rarer native species
is the Mountain Bladder Fern, found only in one
or two localities in the Highlands of Scotland. It
has a creeping root, which finds its way underneath
the moss and other vegetation, amongst which the
charming little plant grows. Its fronds are re-
markably distinct from those of the other species
of Bladder Ferns which occur in this country.
The stipes is about twice the length of the leafy
portion of the frond, the entire length of which is,
however, rarely found to be more than some eight
inches. The frond, from the commencement of
the rachis, has a very distinct three-branched

220 THE FERN PARADISE.

appearance, from the circumstance of the lowest
pair of branches — extending horizontally to right
and to left — being much larger and longer than
the higher ones. These lowest branches are again
divided, each having above and below its mid-stem
a row of leaflets. But the upper row of leaflets,
near the main rachis, are much shorter than the
lower row, and are deeply cleft or serrated. The
two leaflets of the lower rows nearest the main
rachis are so much developed, that at and near
their base they are again divided into lobes, which
in their turn are serrated. Curiously enough,
however, the disproportion between the size of the
leaflets on the upper and lower sides diminishes
towards the point of the branch, and the process
of division into lobes is also reduced gradually,
so that near the tips of the branch the opposite
leaflets are equal in size, and being then much
smaller than those at the base of the branch,
are not again divided into lobes, but are simply
jagged or serrated at their edges. Leaving now
the lowest pair of branches on the frond, and
coming to those immediately above them, we

THE BLADDER FERNS. 221

find that this pair, besides being much smaller,
has not the same disproportion between the upper
and lower leaflets, although those of the upper
row are somewhat shorter than those of the lower
one. On this second pair of branches the leaflets
near the main rachis are more deeply cleft than
those away from it towards the point of the
branch. The same process of gradual diminution
goes on towards the highest point of the frond,
branches becoming shorter and less divided until
they merge into leaflets, which in their turn
become shorter, smaller, and less cleft or serrated,
until they merge in the extreme tip of the frond
itself. The general shape of the frond, including
the whole of its leafy portion, is triangular ; each
of the lowest pair of branches is also triangular;
the other branches are first lance-shaped, and as
they merge into leaflets, these become somewhat
egg-shaped. The distinct lobes of the leaflets,
near the main rachis on the lower part of the first
pair of branches, are also somewhat egg-shaped.

The same conditions of soil, moisture, and situa-
tion required by Cystopteris regia will avail for

222 THE FERN PARADISE.

the successful culture of the Mountain Bladder
Fern. Beautiful and delicate in the extreme, it
will well repay all the care and attention which
may be lavished upon it. If it could be planted
near a fountain, where by some arrangement water
could be made to trickle over its roots, or the foun-
tain spray could envelop the whole plant, then
the natural conditions under which it grows most
luxuriantly would be very nearly supplied, and
the growth of this exquisite fern would be all
that the fern cultivator could wish.

THE WOODSIAS.

CHAPTER IV.

THE WOODSIAS.

I. THE OBLONG WOODSIA.

Woodsia ilvensis.

T~) ARE as beautiful, and beautiful as rare, are
•**^" the Woodsias. Tiny plants are they, seldom
reaching a greater length, from crown of root to
tip of frond, than four or five inches. A tufted
caudex, or root-stock, from which grow up in thick
clusters the delicate fronds. These have short,
scaly stems, are narrowly oblong, and somewhat
blunt-pointed, widest at the base, and gradually
tapering. On each side of the rachis is a row of
leaflets, somewhat egg-shaped, attached to the
rachis without the intervention of a stem ; at first
in opposite pairs, but ultimately, toward the point
of the frond, in alternation. These leaflets are

15

226 THE FERN PARADISE.

deeply cleft or lobed in the lowest part of the
frond, the divisions diminishing in depth as the
leaflets, nearing the point of the frond, become
smaller and smaller. Finally the leaflets merge in
the frond-tip, which is simply notched. The backs
of the fronds are clothed to a greater or less
extent with minute scales and shining hairs or
bristles. Amongst these hide the spores.

In both of our species of Woodsia the stipes is •
jointed at a distance of little more than half an
inch from the crown of the root. When on the
approach of winter the fronds fall off and decay,
their separation from the plant takes place, not
close to the crown, but at the spot where the
joint already mentioned is placed; and as the
stems below the joint stand firm, a cluster of little
frondless stems remains for some time attached to
the crown.

The Oblong Woodsia is only to be found in
one or two localities in Scotland, in one locality in
the north of England, and in one or two parts
of North Wales. No specimen has been seen
growing wild anywhere in Ireland.

THE WOODSIAS. 227

In pots, in cool nooks of the open-air rockery,
or under a covering of glass, this beautiful and
delicate little fern may be grown. complete
shade, moisture pure and percolating, must be
supplied. Light, sandy, peaty soil must be used,
and the fern planted carefully amongst little
blocks of stone.

2. THE ALPINE WOODSIA.

Woodsia alpina.

Alpina is a sort of diminutive likeness of Ilvensis.
Narrow, blunt-pointed fronds, shorter and narrower
than those of Ilvensis. From a tufted crown these
little fronds are thrown up, jointed just a little
more than half an inch from the ground. The
leaflets along the rachis are somewhat shorter
and blunter than those of Ilvensis, are not so
much notched, and are placed on each side in
alternation. But they get smaller towards the
top of the frond, by a somewhat slow process of
gradation, finally blending, however, at its ex-

228 THE FERN PARADISE.

treme point. The scales and shining hairs at the
backs of the leaflets are not quite so thickly
scattered as in the case of the Oblong Woodsia.
But the spore clusters are often crowded.

Both the Oblong and the Alpine Woodsia grow
on damp rocks, oftentimes inaccessible. In culti-
vation, the conditions under which they grow in a
wild state must not be forgotten. They should,
therefore, whether planted in the cool open rockery,
in a case, or in pots, be planted amongst blocks of
stone, as we have recommended in the case of
Ilvensis.

The Alpine Woodsia is exceedingly rare. It
appears to occur in the same districts as those of
its Oblong relative. But it has been suggested
that this fern, like many others which are partial
to almost inaccessible habitats, may not, perhaps,
be so rare as is generally supposed.

THE BUCKLER FERNS.

CHAPTER V.

THE BUCKLER FERNS.

I. THE MALE FERN.

Lastreafilix-mas.

' I AHE Buckler Ferns include some of the finest
of our native species. One of the most
plentiful and widely-distributed of these is the
Male Fern, also called the Common Buckler Fern.
The Male Fern derives its designation from its
extremely vigorous and robust manner of growth.
The texture of its dark green fronds has a some-
what more rigid appearance than that of most
ferns. It grows in woods and on hedge-banks,
on hill-sides and by the water's edge, — almost
everywhere in fact ; now exposed in dry situa-
tions to the full power of the sun, and now hidden
away in almost impenetrable shade. The Male
Fern reaches an average height of between two

232 THE FERN PARADISE.

and three feet ; but, under favourable circum-
stances, it sometimes grows to a height of four
feet. Then, indeed, it is a really beautiful object :
its fronds thrown up shuttlecock fashion around
its fine tufted crown, and so neatly and closely
arranged as to present inside a circular wall
densely clothed with scales, and resembling very
much in that respect the appearance presented
by the Soft Prickly Shield Fern. But the tips of
the fronds of the Male Fern have not the same
drooping habit as Polystickum angulare ; being
on the contrary, thrown up, as it were, defiantly.
Perched on the open side of a high embankment,
a grand specimen of the Male Fern, fully developed,
with all its fronds mature, presents a peculiarly
striking appearance.

The frond of the Male Fern is lance-shaped
— broadly so — tapering up and down ; towards
its point, and towards its base. It is, there-
fore, broadest at its centre. The basal tapering
is not carried to a point as at the top of the
frond ; but merely admits of the lowest leaflets
being somewhat shorter than those in the centre.

THE BUCKLER FERNS. 233

The stem, or stipes, is perhaps about one quarter
the length of the leafy portion of the frond, and is
covered thickly with chaffy scales. These scales
are also carried along the rachis or mid-stem of
the frond. The leaflets, arranged in alternation
on each side of the rachis— longest in the middle
of the rachis, shorter at the base, and shortest at
the top — are narrow and tapering, and are sym-
metrically divided into oblong blunt-pointed lobes ;
some of them — the largest ones, and those nearest
the rachis in the lower part of the frond — being
quite separate from each other, — that is to say,
divided quite down to the mid-stem of the leaflets;
the others being attached to those next to them
by a leafy wing, and those nearest the tips of the
leaflets being nearly cleft between. The lobes are
broadest at the base, with rounded blunt points.
There is a smooth, shiny, rigid, leathery appearance
about the fronts of the lobes, whilst their backs
have a duller, rougher surface. The spores are
produced on the backs of the leaflets, usually in
the upper portion of the frond ; and each leaflet
is thickly studded with the little kidney-shaped

234 THE FERN PARADISE.

cases which contain them. In the early summer,
and until each frond has reached its full develop-
ment, these cases are green; but they soon turn
to a rich dark reddish-brown colour, and add to
the strikingly ornamental appearance of the frond.
The vigour and hardiness of the Male Fern are
so great, that in sheltered situations the fronds will
oftentimes withstand the winter, remaining fresh
and green throughout, and retaining their verdancy
until the fresher green of the new spring fronds
diminishes their lustre by comparison.

The root-stock of the Male Fern often becomes
very much elongated, and resting horizontally on
the hedge-bank or other sloping situation on
which it may be placed, sends out its tuft of
fronds from one end, whilst the other is plunged
in the soil, from whence its matted, wiry, fibrous
roots gather the essential moisture.

No fern can be more easily cultivated than the
Male Fern. Its hardy character renders it
especially suited to be an inhabitant of the open-
air rockery, where it will brave the frosts and
snows of winter. It can stand sunshine ; but, like

THE BUCKLER FERNS. 235

the more delicate of its kind, it most loves the
shade. Peat, rich loam, and sand, with leaf-
mould, should compose the soil in which it is
grown, whether in the garden or in the house.
Wherever this vigorous and beautiful fern grows,
it will impart a delightful and exhilarating fresh-
ness to its surroundings.

2. THE BROAD BUCKLER FERN.

Lastrea dilatata.

ABOUT the fronds of this really handsome fern
there is a peculiarly crisped, curled appearance,
which renders it very easily recognizable. Lastrea
dilatata is the finest of the Lastreas. The stems of
the fronds are often purple hued, and they arc
covered with dark brown scales. At their lowest
part they are thicker than they are above. The
leafy portion of the frond is, in its general outline,
lance-shaped — broadest at the base, and tapering
upwards. On each side of the mid-stem, or rachis,
are branches placed opposite each other, or nearly
so, in pairs, and becoming shorter and shorter as

236 THE FERN PARADISE.

they near the top of the frond, in which they are
finally merged. The lower pairs of branches, be-
sides being larger than those above them, are also
broader. The branches are again divided into
leaflets, and these in their turn are either again
divided or deeply cleft, and the lobes or smaller
divisions, whether of branches or leaflets, are
serrated. One peculiarity must be noted. The
leaflets on the lower side of the mid-stem of the
branches are much longer than those on the
upper side ; but this disparity gradually decreases
towards the top of the frond. It is, however,
remarkably prominent on the lowest pair of
branches, and the difference between the upper
and lower leaflets is most marked in the case
of the four immediately next the rachis on the
lowest pair of branches. Even on these branches
the difference between upper and lower leaflets
gradually decreases towards the point of each
branch, near which they are, both above and below,
almost the same in size.

On every part of the frond the lobes are curled
backwards, — sometimes almost doubled back ; and

THE BUCKLER FERNS. 237

this arrangement gives a singularly graceful and
beautiful appearance to the fronds. The whole
plant, too, has a broad, arching, drooping habit,
and when it has reached its highest state of
development, there is something singularly and
strikingly elegant in its appearance.

The Broad Buckler Fern is not, perhaps, quite
so plentiful as the more erect and robust-looking
Male Fern ; but it is very abundant, and is pretty
widely distributed throughout Great Britain. It
grows in woods, shady lanes, and sheltered hedge-
banks ; and also on the banks of streams and rivers,
sometimes to a height of so much as five feet.
Being as hardy as it is elegant, it is admirably
adapted for the open rockery, if kept in a cool
and shady corner. It should have plenty of room
to display the graceful, arching, spreading habit
of its fronds, For soil, sandy peat and leaf-mould.
But although it is especially adapted for the
garden rockery, it will grow readily indoors, either
in the green-house or in pots. Abundant moisture
and shade, however, are essential to its successful
growth, wherever it may be grown.

238 THE FERN PARADISE.

3- THE HAY-SCENTED BUCKLER FERN.

Lastrea recurva.

As its name indicates, the peculiar characteristic
of this delicate and beautiful fern, is the exqui-
site scent which is given forth from its fronds.
Abundant in some localities, especially in the
west of England and Ireland, it is rare in others.
It is somewhat rare in Scotland. In parts of
Devonshire it is very plentiful. Yet, sometimes a
large district might be searched for miles around
without the search resulting in the discovery of
a single specimen. It grows in damp woods and
on shady hedge-banks. We remember with plea-
sure an excursion which we took from Totnes,
in search of the Hay-scented Fern, under the
guidance of Charles Hillman, of Torquay, a " fern
man" of rare experience. The nearest habitat was
five miles distant from Totnes, and we wended
our way up hill and down dale, through five
miles of ferny lanes, until, arrived at the brow of
a hill, we began to descend to the lower ground
along a narrow road, shut in by high fern-covered

THE BUCKLER FERNS. 239

embankments, which, with the trees which crowned
their tops, cast dark shadows on the narrow
carriage-way. We were close upon the habitat of
the fern we were seeking ; but although carefully
searching the hedge-bank as we neared the spot
we could not find a stray specimen. All at once,
however, our guide stopped, and pointing to the
hedge-bank on the right, invited us to search.
We had arrived within the charmed circle. The
bank was literally clothed with splendid specimens
of Lastrea recurva, their fronds revelling in the
twilight of the hedge, and their roots plunged
into the rich soft leaf-mould of the bank.

The inexperienced fern-hunter is very likely to
mistake small plants of the Broad Buckler Fern
for the Hay-scented Fern. But although there
is a general resemblance between the two, there are
peculiarities about the latter which render it easily
recognizable. The general form of the frond, the
form of the branches, and the peculiar elongation
of the leaflets on the under part of the mid-stem
of the lower branches of the frond are characteristic
of both Dilatata and Recurva. But there is this

240 THE FERN PARADISE.

marked distinction ; that, whereas the lobes of the
leaflets in Dilatata are curled or crisped back-
wards, as if more completely to shelter or hide the
spores, those of Recurva are on the contrary bent
somewhat in the opposite direction, or forward.
The lobes in Recurva are, too, of a more delicate
texture than those of Dilatata, and whilst the
colour of the mature fronds of the latter is dark
green, those of the former are of a lighter shade,
with a kind of light-bluish tinge. In Recurva,
when the plant is mature in the autumn, the whole
under surface of the frond is thickly studded with
the seed-cases which contain the spores. But the
exquisite hay-scent of Recurva at once decides the
doubting fern-hunter. Take a mature or even a
faded frond in the hand, and crush it between the
fingers, and the delightful odour which will be
instantly emitted will quickly decide the species, if
it is a frond of Recurva that you hold !

The Hay-scented Buckler Fern attains an
average height of from eighteen inches to two
feet. Like all the Buckler Ferns it grows
readily under cultivation. But it must have

THE BUCKLER FERNS. 241

abundant moisture and complete shade, and sandy
peat and leaf-mould for soil. Then it may be
grown successfully in the open rockery, in the
fern case, or in open pots in the house.

4. THE RIGID BUCKLER FERN.
Lastrea rigida.

THIS fern is local in its distribution ; very rare
in Ireland, and not found at all in Scotland or
Wales. But in some parts of the north of
England, especially in the mountainous limestone
districts, it is found in abundance. It appears to
prefer a limestone soil : and in cultivation it is
beneficial to water it with lime-water. When
growing wild it is usually found from one to two
feet high. Its fronds are somewhat narrow and
triangular, with branches alternately placed on
each side of the rachis. The branches are lance-
shaped, having on each side, over and under the
stem, a row of leaflets, largest next the rachis, and
becoming shorter towards the point of the branch.

16

242 THE FERN PARADISE.

These leaflets are narrow and blunt pointed, each
one somewhat deeply notched or toothed, being
in this way divided into segments, which are
finely saw-edged.

The Rigid Buckler Fern is a very elegant plant,
and like the other Lastreas admirably adapted for
cultivation. In the sandy peat, loam, and leaf-
mould used for growing this beautiful fern, some
pieces of limestone should be placed ; and it must
have an abundance of moisture.

5. THE PRICKLY-TOOTHED BUCKLER FERN.
Lastrea spinulosa.

THERE is in this fern a general resemblance to
the Hay-scented Buckler Fern. The fronds grow
erect on somewhat thin stems, which in length
are about equal to the leafy portion. The gene-
ral shape of the frond is triangular, the widest
part being at the base, where the branches are
also broader as well as longer than those higher
up ; and the same kind of division of the leaflets

THE BUCKLER FERNS. 243

of the branches is observable as in the Broad
Buckler Fern. The broadness of the lowest pair
of branches is occasioned by the leaflets below the
mid-vein of the branches being considerably longer
than those above ; and this inequality, as in the
case of Laslrea dilatata, diminishes towards the
point of each branch, and towards the apex of the
frond. Indeed, the description of the cutting,
indentation, and general arrangement of the leaflets
and lobes, is very similar to that of Dilatata, the
difference in the case of Spinulosa being that the
leaflets, instead of being curled back, as in Dilatata,
are straight. The edges of the lobes, too, are
spiny and sharply serrated. The fronds do not
attain anything like the same length as those of
Dilatata. One peculiarity which will be easily
noted about Spinulosa is, that the tops of the inci-
pient fronds, in making their appearance just above
ground, are naked and green in colour, instead
of being covered with chaff-coloured scales, as in
the case of Dilatata.

The Prickly-toothed Buckler Fern grows in boggy
situations, delighting in an atmosphere of moisture,

244 THE FERN PARADISE.

and in a saturated soil. We found it in Devonshire,
in a bog which lay under a wood at the bottom
of a hill. There it was growing at the foot of
the mounds of moss surmounting the roots of the
sedge-grasses.

In cultivation it must have incessant moisture,
especially at its roots, where it should be sodden.
Peat and leaf-mould should compose the soil —
peat preponderating. It is a really beautiful fern,
and will thrive in the open rockery, in the green-
house, or indoors, if grown under the conditions
which have been described.

6. THE MOUNTAIN BUCKLER FERN,
Lastrea montana.

Two peculiarities, strongly marked, distinguish
this beautiful and symmetrically-formed species
from the rest of the group amongst which it is
ranked. Ordinarily, when ferns are bruised in the
hand, a strong starchy odour is emitted. It has
been already mentioned, however, that in the case

THE BUCKLER FERNS. 245

of the Hay-scented Buckler Fern, there is emitted,
when the fronds are bruised, an exquisite scent
of hay. When the Mountain Buckler Fern is
crushed or rubbed a very strong balsamic odour
is emitted ; and this is a characteristic which
renders it easily recognizable. There is further an
unmistakable mark of recognition in the form of
its fronds. About these there is a sort of general
resemblance to the Male Fern, except in one
particular. In the Male Fern the frond tapers to
a point upwards ; but not in the opposite direc-
tion, although the branches at the base of the
frond are sometimes a little shorter than those
in the centre. But the branches of the frond in
the Mountain Buckler Fern taper downwards
towards the base, almost as much as they taper
upwards ; the branches in the lowest part being
nothing more than the tiniest leafy excrescences on
each side of the rachis. This continuation of the
leafy portion of the frond downwards necessarily
leaves but a very short stipes to the Mountain
Fern; and this short stipes is covered with rust-
coloured scales. On the rachis of the frond in

246 THE FERN PARADISE.

this fern, the branches are placed on each side
in pairs. Each branch has a row of lobes on its
upper and under side, clearly divided from each
other, but not divided quite down to the mid-
stem of the branch. The branches, which are
narrowly lance-shaped, have thus the appearance
of being very deeply notched or toothed — the
points of the lobes being bluntish or round-
pointed — and their bases, being run together, give
the appearance of a leafy wing on each side of
the mid-stem of the branch. Towards the point
of the frond the branches diminish in length, and
become less in breadth, the lobes becoming gradu-
ally less and less deeply cut in, until they are
finally mere serratures ; which, in turn, disappear
as the branches merge in the point of the frond,
which then itself becomes notched, finally ending
in a point. A perfectly grown specimen of the
Mountain Buckler Fern has an extremely elegant
aspect. It is — although in some of its features
like the Male Fern — more delicate in its general
appearance than that species j there is a more
delicate tint of a lighter, more golden green about

THE BUCKLER FERNS. 247

its fronds, and the more regular arrangement of
its branches gives to it greater symmetry, grace,
and beauty.

The Mountain Buckler Fern, as its name indi-
cates, is found — sometimes in great abundance —
chiefly in mountainous districts ; sometimes in
woods, where it grows in a state of great luxu-
riance ; and sometimes fringing the banks of
mountain streams. In the north, and in some
other parts of Scotland, it often densely clothes
the mountain-sides. It has a wide distribution
throughout England, Wales, and Scotland ; .being,
however, a species of some rarity in Ireland.
Peaty soil will suit it well ; and it may be grown
in the fern-garden, or in the house ; but wherever
it is planted it must have shade and abundant
moisture.

7. THE MARSH BUCKLER FERN.

Lastrea thelypteris.

THE most delicate in texture and fragile in habit
of all the Buckler Ferns, is Lastrea thelypteris. As

248 THE FERN PARADISE.

its name indicates it grows in marshes, preferring
those which are exceedingly boggy and wet, espe-
cially when the bog is immersed in the deepest
shade. Ordinarily it grows to a height of a little
more than a foot, but occasionally it grows to
more than double this height The fronds are of
two kinds, barren and fruitful, the fertile ones
being taller than the others. The stem of the
barren frond is long, thin, green in colour, and ex-
ceedingly fragile. The leafy portion is lance-shaped.
The rachis is thin, green, and fragile likes the stipes,
and on each side of it at intervals, — sometimes
opposite in pairs, and sometimes placed irregularly
— are the branches, narrow and lance-shaped, but
blunt-pointed. These branches are again divided
— not quite down to their mid-stems, but almost
so — into oblong, blunt-pointed lobes or leaflets.
The divisions between the lobes are very regular
and symmetrical, and go down so deeply between
the lobes as to leave only a narrow leafy wing or
expansion along the upper and under part of the
mid-stems.
About the entire aspect of the Marsh Fern there

THE BUCKLER FERNS. 249

is something exceedingly delicate and fragile, and
the colour is a most exquisite light shade of green.
We shall not easily forget our first adventure in
search of the Marsh Fern. We had arranged
to meet Charles Hillman, already alluded to, at
Newton Abbott, whence he was to pilot us to the
Decoy Bog, in the vicinity of that town. Unfor-
tunately when we arrived at the Newton Abbott
station the rain began to pour down. But we had
set our minds on Thelypteris, and, nothing daunted,
we started for the Decoy Bog. The bog lies under
a wood at the foot of a furze and Bracken-covered
slope. Arrived at the top of the slope we had to
wade through the tall and dripping Bracken breast
high, pushing the ferns aside with one hand, and
holding our umbrellas in the other. We soon
reached the bog, but there our difficulties had only
commenced. Interspersed throughout the extent
of the bog, which lay under the shadow of the
wood which covered it, were some moss-covered
mounds, chiefly occurring at the roots or over the
stumps of trees. It was necessary to step with the
utmost caution from moss-covered mound to moss-

250 THE FERN PARADISE.

covered mound, holding on, as we did so, to the
trees ; otherwise, we should have been precipitated
into the bog and should have sunk we know not
where. Wading into this wooded morass we
at length came to a spot where the substance of
the bog was more than usually liquid. Here we
found Thelypteris growing in great abundance,
the creeping rhizomes immersed in the black bog
water, above which the delicate light-green fronds
were beautifully waving. The scene at this spot
was singularly wild and beautiful. Above us, the
leafy canopy of the wood ; beneath, the dark bog,
its surface exquisitely diversified by the delightful
fronds of Thelypteris ; around, on mossy clumps,
grand masses of sedge-grass, charmingly green in
colour, and picturesquely dotted about. From out
the mossy mounds peeped pretty specimens of
Blechnum spicant ; and scattered here and there
some plants of the rarer Lastrea spinulosa.

The Marsh Buckler Fern has a thin, but exten-
sively creeping rhizome, from all parts of which
spring the fronds. The rhizomes rejoice in the
almost liquid n^aHr coil of th" V»«r the soft pr10y

THE BUCKLER FERNS. 251

nature of which encourages the travelling propen-
sities of the roots. Few ferns like to be sodden
in this manner at their roots like Thelypteris. In
cultivation the nearest approach to the natural
conditions which have been described must be
attempted. If planted in the rockery the lowest
tier should be appropriated for its roots, which,
when practicable, may be kept immersed in water
or perpetually soddened peat soil. If it be kept
indoors in pots these must stand in pans of water,
and under such conditions you may successfully
grow this beautiful fern.

THE SPLEENWORTS.

CHAPTER VI.

THE SPLEENWORTS.

I. THE FORKED SPLEENWORT.
Asplenium septentrionale.

r I ^HE Spleenworts form a charming group,
many of them being very small. But all
are evergreen. They all delight to grow in rocky
or stony crevices, sometimes on walls — disporting
themselves in the sunshine, but always preferring
shade and moisture for their fibrous roots. The
little waving tufts of the smaller species conspicu-
ously ornament the rocks or walls on which they
grow, whilst the larger kinds wear their beautiful
fronds with a nobler grace.

The Forked Spleenwort is one of our rarest
ferns. It grows to an average height of two
or three inches only, seldom exceeding six. Frond

256 THE FERN PARADISE.

and stem are almost blended, the leafy part of
the frond being merged into the stem by means
of a sort of narrow leafy wing. The fronds, which
are thrown up in little tufts around the crown
of the plant, are divided into sometimes two and
sometimes three forked divisions, somewhat club-
shaped, narrow at their base, and broadening
upwards, where, being widest, they are each jagged
or slightly forked, the tips of the segments pre-
senting sharp points. On the backs of the short
fronds grow the spore-cases, which, when quite
ripe, run together and form one mass.

When growing wild on rocks the Forked
Spleenwort becomes densely tufted, and spreads
into a mass of crowns, which throw up a little
forest of fronds. In cultivating this fern, sandy
peat and old fragments of mortar should constitute
the soil. With this should be interspersed pieces
of freestone or sandstone, and the roots should
be planted between fragments of stone so as to
imitate, as nearly as possible, the conditions under
which it is found growing on its native rocks.

THE SPLEENWORTS. 257

2. THE ALTERNATE SPLEENWORT.

Asplenium germanicum.

A RARE and tiny fern is the Alternate Spleenwort ;
even rarer than the one last described. Like the
Spleenworts in general, it grows in rocky clefts,
but has only been found in a few localities in
England, Wales, and Scotland. It does not grow
in Ireland. From the crown of its tufted root-stock
spring up a mass of little fronds, which seldom
grow to a height of more than six inches, though
usually they are not so long. The leafy portion
of the little frond consists of a mid-stem or rachis,
on each side of which, placed alternately, are a
number of wedge-shaped leaflets, connected with
the rachis at their narrowest part, and being
consequently broadest at their tops. The tops
are irregularly cleft or toothed, presenting a series
of sharp points. The frond ends in a leaflet
larger than those which are placed alternately
along the rachis ; but this final leaflet is, like the
others, sharply notched or toothed.

The same method of cultivation recommended

258 THE FERN PARADISE.

for the Forked Spleenwort will suit its near rela-
tive Asplenium Germanicum, namely, sandy peat
and leaf-mould for soil, and an arrangement of
little pieces of sandstone or freestone in the pot,
or in the cleft of the rockery where it is grown.

3. THE RUE-LEAVED SPLEENWORT.
Asplenium ruta muraria.

OF all our native ferns the Rue-leaved Spleen-
wort or Wall-rue is, perhaps, the most unpretend-
ing in appearance. Yet it is a most interesting
little fern, and will well repay study and care. It
is very diminutive, sometimes only growing to a
height of about one inch, but when growing
under very favourable conditions, in a wild state,
it will reach a length of several inches. It is
widely distributed, loving to fasten itself on old
walls, rocks, or the sides of bridges of all kinds,
spanning water. Often it is found growing on
church walls and the walls of dwelling houses.
It is, indeed, a familiar little fern, and is frequently

THE SPLEENWORTS. 259

seen flourishing in the midst of towns, seeming,
indeed, to love the society of man. But the secret
of its preference for buildings of various kinds is
its fondness for old mortar. When growing on
walls the finest specimens are always those which
are found at the top of the walls, just beneath
the coping stone or crowning bricks, which serve
as a protection for the crown of the Wall-rue.
Between the bricks of walls and in the crevices
of rocks the little fern inserts its wiry fibrous
roots, which suck in the moisture pent by the
stony covering, and revel in the combination of
old mortar and deposits of leaf- mould formed by
dropping leaves. The Wall-rue prefers to grow
— root-stock, crown, and rootlets, — horizontally, a
position rendered necessary by the habit of the
little plant in growing between the mortar lines
of walls. From its tufted crown the tiny fronds
shoot out in dense clusters. Stem and leafy part
are about equal in length. The tiny branches
of the frond are placed alternately on each
side of the rachis, each branch being again
divided into little diamond-shaped lobes. These

260 THE FERN PARADISE.

lobes are thick and leathery in texture, and of
a dark shining green colour. When the spores
ripen they usually become confluent, so that in
the autumn the backs of the leaflets are thickly
covered with rich brown masses of seed. Ever-
green in habit, the fronds of the little fern endure
through the winter.

Some difficulty is experienced by amateur fern
growers in the cultivation of the Wall-rue, a
difficulty which it is to be feared arises chiefly
from want of care in sufficiently studying the
natural conditions under which it thrives. Too
frequently the fern is not properly transplanted.
Perhaps only a third of its little fibrous roots
are secured when it is taken from its natural
habitat. In such a case failure in growing it is
almost inevitable. It is often very difficult to
transplant it without doing injury to crown or
root, and, indeed, it is generally impossible to
obtain it entire and uninjured without removing
the stones amongst which it is growing. But this
difficulty overcome, and the tiny plant secured
intact, it will be generally found comparatively

THE SPLEENWORTS. 261

easy of cultivation. It should be planted between
fragments of stone in such a manner as to imitate,
as nearly as possible, its natural conditions ; and
for soil it must have sandy leaf-mould and old
pieces of mortar.

4. THE BLACK MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT.
Asplenhtm adiantum nigrum.

THE Black Maidenhair is, perhaps, the most
elegant of the Spleenworts, chiefly on account
of the elaborate and beautiful manner in which
its fronds are divided. It grows from a very
tufted root-stock, and throws up thick clusters of
fronds, which vary considerably in height. Some-
times, when growing on walls in somewhat dry
and exposed situations, it may be found no more
than an inch or two or three inches high. But
when it is in situations more congenial to it, and
under conditions such as will be presently de-
scribed, it attains a height of from eighteen inches
to two feet, and possesses an elegance almost

202 THE FERN PARADISE.

beyond description. The young fronds and their
stems are, when first starting from the root-stock,
ordinarily light green in colour. But as they
attain maturity they become — the latter a dark
rich purple, and the former, in their leafly part, a
dark shining green. In luxuriant specimens the
stem of the frond is as long, often longer, than its
other part. But in small specimens found growing
on walls the stem is usually much shorter than
the rest of the frond. The latter, in its leafy part,
is triangular in shape ; and alternately placed on
opposite sides of its rachis or midrib are a num-
ber of triangular-shaped branches, gradually,
however, as they diminish in size and length
towards the point of the frond, becoming less and
less distinctly triangular, until the branches near
the extreme point of the top are mere leaflets,
bluntly club-shaped and indented, and finally
merging in the tip of the frond. The lowest
branches on each side of the frond, being distinctly
triangular, are again divided into triangular-
shaped leaflets, which follow the same arrange-
ment towards the point of the branch, as the

.THE SPLEENWORTS. 263

branches follow, as already described, towards the
point of the frond. The triangular-shaped leaflets
at the base of the lower branches of the frond are,
in luxuriant specimens of the Black Maidenhair
Spleenwort, again divided into leaflets — at their
lower extremity these ultimate divisions being
beautifully notched or serrated. Depending on
the situation in which it grows, the fronds of the
Black Maidenhair Spleenwort are either very
thick, rigid, and leathery in texture, or of a softer
and more drooping habit The plant is very
decidedly evergreen, its fronds, springing up in
May or June, continuing to grow until September
or October, and from that time, when it has
reached its maturity, lasting until the ensuing
spring. When in its perfectly mature state, in
the autumn, the spores, which have clustered at
the back of its fronds, become confluent and
densely cover the whole under surface of the
leaflets. Being then of a rich dark brown colour,
they finely contrast with the dark shining green
of the plant, and strikingly add to its hand-
some appearance.

264 THE FERN PARADISE.

The Black Maidenhair Spleenwort is widely
distributed over the United Kingdom. It occurs
plentifully on walls, old ruins, and river bridges,
growing, like the Wall-rue, in the interstices
between the stones. It also grows on old stony
hedge-banks, and it is in such situations, when
favoured by a rich soil of leaf-mould which may
have collected in the crevices formed by the
loosely arranged stones, and when sheltered by
overhanging bushes, that it attains its most luxu-
riant growth. We have often found it growing on
the soft soil of the hedge-bank. But as it is an
essentially rock-loving fern, it loves best to grow
on such hedge-banks as are built up of stone.
When in these hedge-banks the stones become
loose from age, it is generally the case that the
falling leaves from bushes and trees annually store
up deposits of leaf-mould in the interstices ; and
| these are the chosen habitats of our Black Maiden-
hair Spleenwort.

It is a beautiful fern for the rockery, but must
be planted in a shady, sheltered corner amongst
stones, in a soil composed of rich sandy loam and

THE SPLEENWORTS. 265

leaf-mould. It will grow readily in pots, but must
be planted amongst the stones in which it de-
lights.

5. THE LANCEOLATE SPLEENWORT.

Asplenium lanceolatum.

THERE is so much similarity between the
Lanceolate and the Black Maidenhair Spleen-
wort, that fern-hunters are in danger oftentimes
of mistaking the one for the other. But there
is one mark by which the two ferns can be un-
mistakably distinguished from each other. In
the Black Maidenhair the frond is broadest at
its base, and tapers upwards gradually to its
point ; it is, in fact, distinctly triangular. In
Lanceolatum, on the contrary, the frond is
broadest about the centre of its leafy part ; and
from thence it tapers in both directions to its tip
and to its base. In other respects the description
of the fronds of Adiantum nigrum will very nearly
apply to those of Lanceolatum, with this general
difference, that the widest branches of the fronds of

266 THE FERN PARADISE.

Lanceolatum are perhaps not so broad and not
quite so much divided as the widest branches of
the fronds of Adiantum nigrum, which are, as
already stated, the lowest branches in the frond.
Another mark of recognition in Lanceolatum is the
peculiar arrangement of the ripened spores. In
Adiantum nigrum these are at first arranged in
lines at the backs of the fronds ; then they become
confluent, and often densely crowd the entire
under surface of the leaflets. In Lanceolatum they
are ordinarily arranged in little round bulged
clusters, which are distinct from each other.

The Black Maidenhair Spleenwort is widely
distributed throughout the United Kingdom.
But Lanceolatum is much rarer, and is confined
in its range to the south and west of England, to
South Wales, to the south of Ireland, and to the
Channel Islands. In the Channel Islands it grows
very luxuriantly. It varies in size, from tiny
plants of some six inches long, to luxuriant speci-
mens of a foot and eighteen inches long. Another
peculiarity of Lanceolatum is that it prefers the
sea-coast, and is often found on rocks in company

THE SPLEENWORTS. 267

with the Marine Spleenwort. In the same com-
pany it is also often found growing luxuriantly in
dripping sea-caves.

In the open-air fernery the Lanceolate Spleen-
wort requires peculiar care. It does not appear to
habituate itself so readily to artificial conditions of
existence as the Black Maidenhair; oftentimes,
doubtless, the fault may lie with the fern-hunter,
who perhaps has not used sufficient care in re-
moving Lanceolatum from its native habitats. It
often grows so firmly imbedded in rocky clefts
that its eradication in an uninjured state is a
matter of difficulty. But when this is properly ac-
complished, and the plant is secured with its crown
uninjured, and its fibrous roots entire, careful culti-
vation will be rewarded by success. If planted in
the open rockery, or indoors in pots, the soil
should be composed of silver-sand, leaf-mould, and
peat, mixed together in about equal proportions ;
and to this compost should be added some small
pieces of sandstone.

Under a covering of glass, however, Lanceolatum
is thoroughly at home ; for such a method of culti-

268 THE FERN PARADISE.

vation appears more nearly to supply the natural
conditions under which this beautiful fern grows in
greatest luxuriance. We have devoted one little
terra cotta stand and shade to three fine speci-
mens of Lanceolatum, the same which we obtained
from the vicinity of the Logan Stone, that crowns
the heights of Lustleigh Cleave, on Dartmoor. We
planted the roots, and gently wedged in the
crowns of the plants between little blocks of sand-
stone, keeping them carefully under their glass
covering, which is only removed from time to
time to give air and water. They are thriving
admirably, and are throwing up new fronds most
vigorously. They delight in the shady situation
in which they are placed, and revel in the per-
petual moisture that surrounds their beautiful
fronds, and distils on them like dewdrops.

6. THE GREEN SPLEENWORT.
Asplenium viridi.

A FERN of the rocky moorland and the moun-
tain stream ; not rare, but local in its distribution.

THE SPLEENWORTS. 269

It grows in the moist interstices which lie between
the fragments of stone. But it mostly loves a
rocky home in immediate contiguity to the soft
vapour of the wild cascade. It delights to grow
in the tiny trickle caused by percolating water.
Little wiry fibrous roots, that plunge within
the hearts of rocks in search of the soft
veins of leaf-mould ; a black, tufted root-stock,
from which start the lovely fronds; a short
stipes, purple at its base, but beyond of a vivid
and delightful green ; a rachis of the same de-
lightful green, and on each side of it, placed in
alternation, a row of tiny-stemmed, egg-shaped,
saw-edged leaflets, diminishing in size as the tiny
frond tapers to a point. Each root-stock produces
these pretty little fronds in thick clusters, so that
a luxuriant specimen of the plant presents a de-
•, lightfully fresh appearance. The fronds grow to
various heights, their luxuriance depending on the
favourable or unfavourable nature of the situation
in which the plant grows. Sometimes they are not
more than an inch in height ; sometimes they are
two or three, occasionally as much as eight or ten.

270 THE FERN PARADISE.

Delighting as it does in an atmosphere of mois-
ture, it should be planted where it can secure the
conditions which it requires. It may be grown
in the rockery or in pots in the house. But under
a covering of glass it will thrive admirably, for
there it can most easily secure the moisture which
it loves.

7. THE COMMON MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT.

Aspleniunt trichomanes.

THIS fern and the Green Spleenwort are very nearly
related indeed; the great distinction being that
Viridi, as its name seems to imply, has nearly the
whole of its stipes and the whole of its rachis of a
bright green, whilst Trichomanes, when mature,
has both the stipes and rachis on its fronds of a
dark, shining, purple colour, approaching to black.
The Common Maidenhair Spleenwort is, too, as its
name indicates, far more plentiful, and far more
widely distributed throughout the United King-
dom, than its half-sister Viridi. It is, too, hardier
than the latter, and easier of cultivation. The

THE SPLEENWORTS. 271

same description, with the exceptions which have
been pointed out, will apply in the case of both
ferns : black, tufted root-stocks; wiry, fibrous roots;
thin, narrow fronds ; brittle stems ; and two rows
of leaflets, — now placed opposite in pairs, and now
ranged alternately— egg-shaped and saw-edged.
Both grow from their crowns in dense clusters.
But, as we have already inferred, Trichomanes
is found growing in sunnier and more exposed
situations than Viridi. Trickomanes, neverthe-
less, though so hardy and bold, best loves deep
shade and moisture. It never, however, grows
on the ground, but must be elevated on wall,
rock, or hedge-bank.

It is really difficult to imagine anything more
beautiful than a wall or rock clothed with dense
tufts of the fronds of Trickomanes, with their
shining, purplish-black stems and refreshingly
green leaflets. Peer over the arch of yonder
bridge, beneath which the stream is surging and
splashing ! Beyond you, dark woods tower up
against the horizon ; beneath, the shining river
reflects in its limpid surface the blue canopy

272 THE FERN PARADISE.

checkered with fleecy white clouds. You follow
the course of the current, watching some foam
spot as it eddies along, and disappears beneath
the arch over which you are leaning. As you
gaze intently into the stream, your cheeks are
fanned by the brisk moorland breeze, which
comes fresh laden with the sweet perfumes of
wild flowers. But the breeze has stirred the
tiny life which clings to the stony sides of the
bridge ; and your eyes are suddenly rivetted
by waving tufts of purple and green — a mimic
forest of fern-fronds clothing the arches of stone
and mortar. Examine the exquisite arrange-
ments of these beautiful fronds, — green gems on
stalks like maiden's hair. O bountiful Creator,
to spread out such rich treasures as these ! to
make the dry, hard stones live with their charm-
ing dress of glorious green !

Thousands of sights like these may be seen
in the wild, rocky moorlands, on bridges which
span the moorland streams. But much as it
loves the wild home of Nature, and the damp
rock in the moorland valley, the beautiful fronds

THE SPLEENWORTS. 273

of the Common Maidenhair Spleenwort may be
seen even in the heart of towns, — for it will grow
on houses and garden walls. Though a rock-
loving fern, it will also oftentimes grow with
great luxuriance on the soft soil of a sloping
hedge-bank.

Aspleniiim trichomams is evergreen and hardy,
enduring bravely through the winter, and sturdily
retaining its little bristling stalks, even when
their crops of leaves have gone. It is a delightful
occupant of the open-air rockery ; but it will
grow readily and well in pots. Put it in a high
and shady cleft of your rockery — give it leaf-
mould, and sand, and broken pieces of soft brick
or stone— and it will always be refreshing and
delightful.

8. THE SEA SPLEENWORT.
Asplenium marinum.

THE habitats of the Sea Spleenwort are sea
rocks and dripping sea caves. The instances
are very few indeed in which it has been

18

274 THE FERN PARADISE.

found growing away from the sea, and even
in these rare instances the plants have been
removed but a short distance from the direct
influence of the sea air. The true habitat of
the Sea Spleenwort is the open sea coast ;
sometimes on the outside face of the rocks,
and sometimes within shadowy caverns. It
not only grows in crevices between the rocks,
but on the rock itself, into which it insinuates
its roots. Sometimes it grows on the roofs
and at the sides of dripping caverns ; and in
such situations it will often spread its roots
like a web over the damp, stony surfaces.

Its fronds are leathery in texture, and of
so bright, fresh, and shining a green colour
that it is positively refreshing to look upon
them. Average specimens are six or eight
inches long ; but in dripping sea caves they
sometimes hang pendant from the roofs, and
reach a length of as much as eighteen inches.
The shape of the frond of the Sea Spleenwort
is narrowly oblong, broadest about the centre,
narrowing slightly towards the base, tapering

THE SPLEENWORTS. 275

upwards, and blunt-pointed. On each side of
the rachis is a simple row of leaflets. These
are arranged in pairs near the bottom of the
frond, but become alternated towards the top.
Immediately contiguous to, and on each side
of the rachis, is a very narrow leafy wing or
expansion, not readily discernible without close
inspection, but serving in some sort to connect
the several leaflets. These are somewhat irregu-
larly egg-shaped, sometimes almost roughly four-
sided, connected with the rachis at their lower
side by means of a very short stalk, and slightly
indented. The leaflets are merged in the tip o
the frond.

We remember finding some specimens of the
Sea Spleenwort down the Dart, about three or
four miles from Totnes. We were looking for
some small specimens of the fern, which we
were told grew in the locality; but we lighted
by chance upon a small cluster of larger plants.
The tide was out, and as we were searching
the rocky banks of the river, we suddenly
rounded a jutting rocky corner, and came on

276 THE FERN PARADISE

to a strand that would have been inaccessible
at high tide. On our right the river bank
shelved in, and formed a sort of overhanging
projection, crowned with large shrubs, and
sheltered by trees rising on the high ground
above. On the soft red sandstone rock, and
just above high-water level, we came upon a
number of tufts of Asplenium marinum. It
was a matter of considerable difficulty to get
them out intact. The roots were positively
imbedded in the solid rock ; and it was only
by dint of persevering labour with a chisel that
we at length succeeded, by chipping away the
surrounding rock, in getting out our plants
entire. We carefully preserved our specimens;
and we have them now, green and vigorous, in
our glass case.

The Sea Spleenwort will rarely be found to
grow, it is said, on the open rockery, away
from the sea, as it needs the sea air. But in
a glass case it will grow luxuriantly. It should
be planted between fragments of rock — red sand-
stone if possible — in soil composed of sandy leaf-

THE SPLEENWORTS. 277

mould and peat. It loves warmth and excessive
moisture ; and in the house these conditions are
supplied if it be kept under a covering of glass.
We have adopted the plan of devoting a large
ornamental fern-pan to our specimens, filling up
with the necessary soil upon a layer of broken
flower-pot and charcoal. On the top of the
soil are large pieces of brick and stone, and
between these our ferns are planted. The
whole is covered with a large bell glass ; and
under the same covering we have the Lanceo-
late Spleenwort and the True Maidenhair. It
is, in fact, a miniature rockery which we have
established under glass. Already the moisture
has coated the bricks and stony surfaces with
moss and seedling ferns ; and we take a keen
delight from time to time in uncovering our
miniature " Fern Paradise " to get a brief
glimpse of the shining fern-fronds, tipped with
the mimic dewdrops which distil upon them in
their moist prison.

278 THE FERN PARADISE.

9. THE SCALY SPLEENWORT.
Asplenium ceterach.

FOR richness and variety of colouring, the Scale
Fern is the handsomest of the Spleenworts. It
is, indeed, an exquisite little plant. Like the
rest of its family, it loves to grow on rocks
and walls, even preferring the latter, and
oftentimes growing abundantly within town
limits, on barn and garden walls, and even
on house walls. Average specimens are about
three or four inches in length ; but, under
favourable conditions, they may attain a length
of six, seven, eight, or more inches. They are
believed to have an especial fondness for old
mortar ; hence the reason why they are so fre-
quently found on old walls.

The frond of the Scaly Spleenwort has a short
stipes, scale-covered ; and its upper portion con-
sists of one elongated, deeply and widely scalloped
leaf; or, perhaps, to make the explanation clearer,
it would be desirable to liken the frond of the
Scale Fern to a coarse, double-edged saw; but

THE SPLEENWORTS. 279

what would correspond to the teeth of the saw
are narrow, blunt-pointed lobes. The frond is
widest at its centre, and tapers at each end. It
has a thick midrib or rachis. What constitutes
the peculiar elegance of the Scale Fern is the
contrast presented by the two sides of the frond.
Its upper surface is of a rich bluish-green, soft
and velvety to the touch ; its under surface is
completely hidden by a thick drapery of densely-
packed reddish-brown scales. These beautiful
scales extend to every part of the back of the
frond, covering up midrib and pinnule, and
affording a snug hiding place for the spores.
The fronds grow in tufts from a central crown,
and are always most luxuriant when found at
the tops of walls, under the shelter of over-
hanging trees.

Well do we remember the pleasure we ex-
perienced on rinding, after a long search, our
first specimens of the Scale Fern. We had
previously read the description of this beautiful
species, and had seen the coloured representa-
tions of it ; but had never happened to set eyes

280 THE FERN PARADISE.

on the living plant, either in a wild or cultivated
state. We, therefore, started in our first search
for the wild plant from Totnes, in the direction
of Berry Pomeroy Castle, — having been assured
that we should find some specimens on an old
wall which skirted the wood surrounding the
Castle. We were some time in finding the old
wall in question ; but we at length lighted upon
it. Carefully we searched on both sides for some
distance, but without encountering anything at
all like our descriptions of Ceterach. Presently,
however, the boundary wall was cast into deeper
shadow by the high and overlopping branches of
the trees in the wood ; and continuing our search
along the inner side of the wall, we at length found
several fine plants of the Scale Fern revelling in
the old mortar and leaf-mould, in a deep shady
cleft formed by the pointed coping stones. There
could be no mistaking the strongly-marked cha-
racteristics of Ceterach — the thick, green velvety
texture of the frond on one side, and the dense
carpeting of rich reddish-brown scales on the
under surface.

THE SPLEENWORTS. 281

The finest specimens of the beautiful Scale
Fern which we have ever encountered, we found
on the top of a very high wall which skirted
another wood in the neighbourhood of Totnes.
The large stones at the top of the wall had
become loose with time, and the perpetual drop-
pings of leaves during many years from the
trees which overhung it, had accumulated a rich
deposit of leaf-mould between the loosened stones.
Immediately underneath the crowning stones
we found the largest specimens of Ceterach, with
fronds over seven inches long, and enormous roots
extending to nearly the whole width of the wall,
and forming a compact mass nearly a foot square.
This wall, like the one at Berry Pomeroy, was
immersed in the deepest shade flung by the over-
hanging trees.

Planted in the highest and shadiest clefts of the
out-of-door rockery, with leaf-mould, sand, and old
bits of mortar for soil ; kept sufficiently moist, but
not drenched with water, the elegant Scale Fern
will succeed well.

THE FILMY FERNS.

CHAPTER VII.

THE FILMY FERNS.

I. THE TUNBRIDGE FILMY FERN.
Hymenophyllum tunbridgense.

/nPHE Filmy Ferns form a sort of connecting
link between the ferns and the mosses.
They are the tiniest of all the British ferns,
forming little tufts oftentimes only one inch in
length ; but sometimes growing to a length of
six inches.

The Tunbridge Filmy Fern — so called because
it was first noticed in the neighbourhood of
Tunbridge Wells — is a tiny moss-like plant found
growing on rocks and boulders in the immediate
vicinity of streams of water. The filmy, pellucid
texture of the fronds would shrivel up, were the
plant exposed to dry, hot air. It can only there-
fore exist in a constant atmosphere of moisture,
such as is to be found where water is continually

286 THE FERN PARADISE.

present. It delights in the spray of waterfalls,
or to be perched on the damp rocks round which
the mountain streams rush and roar. In such
situations it has a wide distribution throughout
the United Kingdom. The fronds grow from little
black, wire-like rhizomes, which often become
densely interlaced with the mosses which grow
on boulder-tops in mid-stream, or wherever per-
petual moisture makes moss life predominant.
They have short wire-like stems, and the leafy
or filmy portion consists of a series of branched
veins arranged alternately on each side of the
rachis. The primary veins are divided into
veinlets, which are arranged in pairs on each
side of the primary veins. Each vein, whether
primary or secondary, is bordered by a narrow,
filmy, leafy wing. The seeds, when they are
formed, are placed in little cup-shaped receptacles
in the angles made by the rachis and the
primary branches of the frond. The general out-
line of the latter is somewhat egg-shaped. The
leafy filaments are of a dull, brownish-green
colour, and semi-transparent

THE FILMY FERNS. 287

2. THE ONE-SIDED FILMY FERN.

Hymenophyllum unilateral.

THE two Filmy Ferns resemble each other closely
in many important respects. But Unilateral,
or Wilsoni, as it is also called, is chiefly dis-
tinguished from Tunbridgense by having the leafy
filaments on the primary branches of the fronds
produced on the upper surface only of the branches,
instead of on both sides, above and beneath, which
is the case in the Tunbridge Filmy Fern. In
Unilateral, as in Tunbridgense, what corresponds
in ordinary ferns to the leaflets of the fronds are
branched veins, with filmy, semi-transparent, wing-
like borders. The distinction between the two
ferns is somewhat slight. But both are found
growing under the same conditions, often in com-
pany, their thin wire-like rhizomes densely inter-
lacing with each other, and with the roots of the
mosses which cover the moist rocky surfaces of the
habitats of the Hymenophyllums.

When the natural conditions under which the
Filmy Ferns grow can be imitated in the fern
garden, then these beautiful little pellucid-leaved

288 THE FERN PARADISE.

plants will thrive luxuriantly ; but the natural
conditions can be imitated perfectly under a
covering of glass, which will secure the object of
keeping an atmosphere of perpetual moisture
around the rhizomes and fronds. The soil should
be peat and silver sand, and on this compost
should be arranged little blocks of stone, between
which the roots should be placed. The whole
should be saturated with water, and then covered
with the glass shade. Here the Filmy Ferns will
grow luxuriantly, and will thus, in the warm
humidity of their adopted home, exhibit the fresh-
ness which they can only otherwise exhibit in their
rocky habitats amongst the misty thunders of the
moorland streams.

L'ENVOI.

L'ENVOL

" I ^HE author cannot take leave of his readers
without expressing the earnest hope that
some pleasure and some profit may have been
derived by those who have closely followed him
through his " Fern Paradise." To him, at least,
the work of writing these pages has been truly
a labour of love : for it has called up vividly
before his mind's eye delightful scenes which he
has with, he fears, but imperfect success attempted
to describe. But had not the task been light and
pleasant in itself, it would have been lightened
and rendered enjoyable by a consciousness of
the great importance of the object for which it
was undertaken.

For surely to aim at giving pleasure to others
is an object of the highest importance ; and
there can be no purer enjoyment than that

292 THE FERN PARADISE.

derived from the knowledge that such pleasure
has really been afforded.

If, however, the author should have succeeded
in his object, he trusts that any pleasurable
impressions which may have been conveyed to
those who have followed him thus far through
this volume will not be merely transient, or
such as might be experienced if, to a rapid
perusal of the descriptions which have been
given of ferns and ferny lanes, were to succeed
obliviousness of the important end which the
book is intended to secure.

The author would wish to address his readers
not collectively only, but individually. His labour
will have missed its purpose if it does not, besides
creating pleasant fancies, lead to practical and per-
manent good. Will it be too much to hope that
every one who reads these pages will receive some
benefit from their perusal, and will not lay the
volume aside without having determined to carry
out in practice the suggestions which it con-
tains ? There is the greater reason to hope for
such a result because of the very small amount

LENVOI. 293

of trouble and expense which need be involved
in the attempt. Those of course who possess
the necessary means, and who are not pressed
for time, and who moreover are inclined to enter
thoroughly and heartily into the spirit of the
author's suggestions, can carry them out with
the most elaborate completeness. There are
abundant facilities for the exercise of the most
luxurious and expensive taste in the selection
of the accessories needed for transforming into a
"Fern Paradise" either dwelling-house or garden.
In the drawing-rooms and sitting-rooms of the
houses belonging to the rich it is not by any
means uncommon to find plant-cases or flower-pots
of an ornamental kind. Sometimes a number of
these may be found in one room, and the fact
is an indication that the owner or some mem-
ber of his household possesses a taste which is
strongly appreciative of the beauties of nature.
Sometimes the plants are ferns, more frequently
they are flowering plants ; but even in cases
where this taste for introducing plants into the
dwelling-house has been exercised more freely

294 THE FERN PARADISE.

than usual, it is seldom that the effect produced
is striking. The conservatory — when an adjunct
of the drawing-room, and immediately con-
tiguous to it — supplies in some degree the re-
quirements of a refined taste ; but dwelling
rooms are mostly subjected to the despotic
sway of a system of conventional ornamenta-
tion. Even rigid conventionalism, however, pays
homage to nature, by calling artistic effort into
requisition in order to produce petrified imi-
tations of leaves and flowers. The high art of
the painter and sculptor, and the ruder arts of
house decorating, are employed in this work
of imitation ; but the result — often beautiful and
striking as an artistic success — pales before the
exquisite reality of nature itself.

Why then do we not sweep away from our
dwelling-houses the rigid conventionalism which
is content to represent nature in stereotyped
lines in places where she is only too ready to
come herself, in all her chaste and simple yet
inimitable loveliness ? Her image may still be
preserved in stereotype where she cannot come

LENVOL 295

herself; but away with the folly of setting up
lifeless imitations where the charming reality
can exist, and smile upon us in its pure and dewy
freshness !

Nothing less, it will be seen, than a revolution
in domestic ornamentation will realise the author's
ideal — an ideal which he fears he has faintly
and very imperfectly endeavoured to represent in
these pages. What effect could be more pleasing,
more delightful, more refreshing, and exhilarating
to wearied town dwellers, than the sight of graceful
fern-fronds everywhere surrounding them in and
about their houses ? Money, as already shown,
can be freely lavished if it be desired to employ
artistic accessories in indulging the taste which
the author desires to see developed : fern-cases,
stands and brackets, boxes, hanging-baskets, pots,
and, indeed, almost every conceivable arrangement
for holding the beautiful plants, with every ela-
boration of carving and design, can be obtained
in almost infinite variety. The same facilities
exist for transforming the lawn or the garden
into a " Fern Paradise " ; and the means employed

296 THE FERN PARADISE.

can here also be as elaborate and as artistic
as wealth may desire. Shady garden-walls may
thus be draped with ferny fronds. Embankments
can be thrown up to furnish abundant scope for
the development of the larger species of ferns:
deep cuttings may be made, whose sides may afford
a semi-subterranean hiding place for the smaller
species. Artificial rockery can be made in every
direction. Fountains may be introduced in order
more readily to supply the peculiar conditions
of moisture, without which some of the graceful
plants will not live or thrive. In the same way
the soil necessary for the successful culture of the
plants can be supplied; and the aspect can be
chosen with a due regard to the requirements
of nature. To the rich, expense would be no
object, and it would be lavished in the exercise
of a worthy taste.

But — it is important to remember — costly
accessories to fern culture are not necessary.
The author would wish to see his ideal univer-
sally established. The most splendid elaboration
which art could suggest, would be overshadowed

V ENVOI. 297

by the majesty of gracefulness which the ferns
embody. Hence, the simplest and most inexpen-
sive materials are all that need be employed to
produce the most beautiful effects. The humblest
householder can find no difficulty in obtaining
these materials. The ordinary red flower-pots,
for instance, are within the reach of all, even the
very poorest, and these can be brought fully into
requisition to aid the fern-lover in transforming
his home into a " Fern Paradise." The lovely
plants will be none the less graceful because grown
in these simple contrivances. On the contrary,
they will show to all the greater advantage when
their own lovely forms are left — unsurrounded by
artistic adornments — to speak to the eye with the
quiet eloquence of natural grace.

In the garden also, however small it may be,
or even in the paved and narrow yard which may
exist, when a garden is absent, the same simplicity
of arrangement will suffice for producing most,
pleasing effects. Rockwork, for instance, will pro-
vide, perhaps, the most convenient site for the
disposition of garden ferns ; and here it will be

298 THE FERN PARADISE.

absolutely essential rigidly to exclude anything
like prim ornamentation. There must be no
brilliantly-coloured or polished stones; no coral;
no regular gradation of size and shape in the
material used. Rough misshapen blocks of stone,
arranged according to what may be called the
symmetry of ruggedness, will best suit the grace-
ful ferny forms.

The little volume goes forth on its mission.
In EVERY HOME which it enters may it help to
promote the realisation of the author's ideal of
PARADISE!

THE END.

Watson and Hazell, Printers, London and Aylesbury.

WORKS BY THE SAME AUTHOR.

Demy 8vo., price "js. 6d., cloth gilt.

THE

ENGLISH PEASANTRY.

BY

FRANCIS GEORGE HEATH.

Mr. Heath having asked the Queen to accept a copy of " The
English Peasantry," as "a History of the movement amongst the
Agricultural Labourers," Major-General Sir T. M. Biddulph re-
plied : — "I have had the honour of receiving your work with your
letter addressed to the Queen ; and am desired to signify to you
Her Majesty's gracious acceptance of it."

0f tjj* |p ras.

(Selected from 160 favourable reviews!)
LONDON.

The Quarterly Review, October, 1874.

"... There is in it much valuable information derived from trustworthy
sources. . . ."

Westminster Review.

" Mr. Heath is quite right in his belief that such a book as he now publishes
is much needed. . . . The whole work is singularly free from dry statistics, and
will be welcomed by all classes of readers anxious to be easily informed on the
subject of which it treats. . . ."

Athcnaum.

" Mr. Heath's book is interesting and well written, and the author is entitled
to much praise for it"

Spectator.
"Very interesting and very important."

Morning Advertiser.

"... The author is clearly entitled to the gratitude of all who sincerely
care for the amelioration of the condition of the English peasant. . . ."

Morning Post.

" Every observer of passing events will concur in Mr. Heath's assertion that a
comprehensive yet readable book on the English Peasantry had become a great
desideratum in our popular literature. ..."

THE ENGLISH PEASANTRY.

Daily Telegraph, February 22, 1875.

" Information as to the state of agricultural labour, and the life of the labourer,
his wages, his domesticity, the truck system, allotments, migration and emigra-
tion, with other less conspicuous but still important matters connected with
modern husbandry, was wanted in a less cumbrous and more accessible form
than that of Parliamentary Blue Books ; and as the bulky reports of the Royal
Commission on the employment of women and children in field work, besides
being arranged with little consideration for popular requirement, bring down the
statistics of the question only as late as 1869, an intelligent work on the subject
seemed s > greatly in demand, that the public might be thankful for much smaller
benefits than Mr. Francis George Heath's chapters on ' The English Peasantry '
supply. ... A chapter of great interest is given to the history of Canon Girdle-
stone's efforts in establishing the system of peasant migration with which this
philanthropic Churchman's name is associated. . . . Another very readable and
instructive chapter is devoted to a biographical sketch of the remarkable founder
of the National Agricultural Labourers' Union, Joseph Arch. But the value of
the book is not in its merely personal references, or in its graphic style. Ques-
tions of practical import are passed ably in review, such as the farmers' griev-
ances ; the serious depopulation of West of England districts ; agricultural
children and their education ; the attitude of the Church ; and the future of the
English peasantry. Every chapter in the work may be read with profit by all
who have the national well-being at heart."

Pall Mall Gazette.

" A volume which is likely to command attention. Mr. Heath has accumu-
lated a large amount of serviceable information ; so that his boo which is read-
able throughout, will be found also useful for reference. . . . The noble work
done by Canon Girdlestone is described with many interesting details. . . ."

Standard
"... The author brings together much that it is well to be reminded of."

Hour.
" It L in every way most readable."

Daily News.
" The author's conclusions deserve serious consideration.

Examiner.

" The author is fearless in his facts and eloquent in his description of them. . .
A book more deeply interesting to any one with a moderate share of sympathy
for the less fortunate of their fellow creatures has not been issued from the press
for many a day. . . . Mr. Heath is just such a writer as the subject requires—
cairn, sensible, fully informed."

Guardian.

" Mr. Heath is always outspoken, candid, and thoroughly honest. He invari-
ably endeavours to state his case fairly and truly, and never willingly perverts
his facts even in the apparent interest of the cause for which he is so pleasantly
enthusiastic."

Academy.
" Mr. Heath's narrative well deserves attention.1*

Observer.

"... A most valuable and timely addition to the literature of the Agricul-
tural Labourers' movement."

JoJm BulL
" It is cleverly written. . . .**

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. iii

Sunday Times.

" A volume we should like to see in the hands of every thinking man. It is
well written, earnest, and able."

Bell's Weekly Messenger.

" We can safely commend this volume to the attention of our readers, as con-
taining a large amount of valuable information."

Dispatch.

" Every page of Mr. Heath's book teems with interesting matter, and the
volume itself is a valuable addition to our literature."

Lloyd's Newspaper.

" The name of Francis G. Heath is familiar to all who have studied, be it ever
so lightly, the predicament of the farm labourers of England."

Public Opinion.

" Mr. Heath has by the present thoughtful volume added to the literary repu-
tation he gained by the publication of his 'Romance' of Peasant Life."

Literary World.

"This is a valuable contribution to the literature of a most important
subject."

Christian World.

" Mr. Heath deserves the warmest thanks of those whose cause he pleads witk
so much intelligence and skill."

Nonconformist.

" Mr. Heath in this new book has rearranged and grouped his facts in a clear,
compact, and graceful way."

London Mirror.
" Not a page can be read without interest and profit."

Rock.

"Mr. H.athiswell known as an earnest and conscientious advocate of the
agricultural labourer."

Court Journal.

"The book will be found invaluable to those who desire to become acquainted
with the various phases of the new movement."

PRO V I N GIAL.

Leeds Mercury.

" A thoroughly readable and reliable book."

Shrewsbury yoztrnal*

" Mr. Heath's book is destined to take a permanent place among the literary
productions of this country. . . . We most heartily commend it. ... It is
written in clear, vigorous, nay sometimes picturesque English ... is brimful of
curious and valuable information, and is the work of a gentleman whose warm
interest in the welfare of the poor agricultural labourer is only equalled by his
great knowledge of those immutable economic laws which must regulate the
price of labour."

iv THE ENGLISH PEASANTRY.

Manchester Evening News.

" Mr. Heath's book is deeply interesting throughout. We have nothing but
praise for the matter of the work and for the motives of the author. "

Bradford Observer.

" Mr. Heath has the faculty of rendering the results of his reading and
observation into clear and vigorous language."

York Herald.

" Mr. Heath's writings on agricultural questions have already won for him
repute as a shrewd, kindly, and temperate observer. The present work will
materially enhance this reputation."

Sheffield Daily Telegraph.
" A book which is sure to attract much attention all over the country."

Nottingham Daily Guardian.

" Its literary merits are decidedly high. Mr. Heath's style of writing is grace-
ful and scholarlike ; whilst his descriptions are unusually vivid and picturesque."

Bristol Daily Post.
" A work which will considerably enhance Mr. Heath's reputation."

Western Daily Mercury.

" An admirable and elaborate description of the peasantry of England. . . .
Since in his previous work the author has shown great ability in dealing with
this most important subject, his latest production is sure to have a host of atten-
tive readers."

Scotsman.

" Mr. Heath's book altogether is a valuable contribution to the literature of
the great question with which it deals. ... It presents a graphic and, we believe.
on the whole, a very truthful picture of the condition of agricultural labourers."

Edinburgh Daily Review.
"We commend the perusal of this volume."

North British Daily Mail
" A rery useful, very practical, and clearly-written work."

Glasgow Herald.
"It b a wise and thoughtful book."

Stirling Observer.

" Mr. Heath writes in a pleasant style, and his enthusiasm is contagious ; so
that the reader never wearies while following him even into the minutest details.
He is evidently a thorough master of his subject, which he treats in such a
manner as to show that he is at once an educated gentleman, and a true patriot
and philanthropist."

Whitby Gazette.

" The English Peasantry has become the standard work on the condition
of the agricultural labourer— his wages, home, and general treatment."

SECOND EDITION.

Small 8vo., Cloth gilt, gilt edges, zs. 6d. Cheap Edition
in boards, is.

THE

'ROMANCE" OF PEASANT LIFE,

BY

FRANCIS GEORGE HEATH.

The author having, in remembrance of the kind and watchful interest always
exhibited by the late Prince Consort on behalf of the peasantry on his estates,
offered to the Queen a copy of " The ' Romance ' of Peasant Life," received the
following reply : —

" Buckingham Palace, July 9, 1873.

"Major-General Sir T. M. Biddulph presents his compliments to Mr. Heath.
He is desired to notify Her Majesty s gracious acceptance of the volume he
forwarded."

xrf % JP*m

(Selected from 100 favourable reviews.)
LONDON.

British Quarterly Review.

*'A useful contribution to the literature of a subject that is fast becoming one
of the most prominent of our social problems."

London Quarterly Review.

" Mr. Heath is evidently master of keenly-observant faculties as well as of a
good style."

Spectator.

" Few questions can be either more important or more sad to an English mind
allied to an English heart of only ordinary kind feeling than the one of which the
greater part of this little book treats."

Daily News.

"This little volume deserves commendation for its graceful and pleasant
style."

Morning Advertiser.
" It is thoroughly interesting."

" From every point of view it is worthy of the tribute of praise that has un-
hesitatingly been accorded to its merits by the English press."

Pall Mall Gazette.
" The author writes with earnestness."

Echo.

" A valuable contribution to the literature of a subject of great national
importance."

vi THE "ROMANCE" OF PEASANT LIFE.

John Bull.
" It is written with considerable power."

Guardian.
" Such books are useful."

London Figaro.

"With no small share of Dickens's graphic power of description, Mr. Heath
has sketched the homes of the peasantry."

Queen.

"A little book of unusual interest, very truthful in its representations, and
graphic in its style. "

Dispatch.
that in a

Weekly Times.
ition of the i

f Mid the pre;

with a master hand.

' A stirring book.

" Its popularity was so great that in a few weeks the first edition was
exhausted."

" The social condition of the peasant labourer in the west of England is gra-
phically described, and the present state of the agricultural labourer sketched

Sunday Times.
Christian World.

" An able little work."

Bookseller.

" This interesting little work may be profitably consulted by statesmen and
philanthropists."

Lloyds Newspaper.
"An admirable and useful little book."

PROVINCIAL.

Leeds Mercury.

" Happily signs are not wanting that ere long the work of amelioration already
begun by a few patriotic and philanthropic minds will be pushed rapidly torward,
and the agricultural labourer raised to a position of comparative comfort. Mean-
while Mr. Heath deserves the thanks of his countrymen for the heartiness with
which he has taken up the cause of this oppressed class, and for the impartial
manner in which he has advocated it."

Bristol Daily Post.
"An entertaining and instructive book."

Western Daily Press.
"The descriptive passages are full of life and interest."

Edinburgh Daily Review.
" The book is well worthy of the attention of the public."

Dorset County Chronicle.

"The graceful style and vivid descriptions of country scenery are really
charming."

Crown 8v0., elegantly bound in cluiJi, gill
Frontispiece, price 6s.

s, with coloured

THE FERN PARADISE:

& Ufa for llj* Culte 0f Jf mis.

Including Popular Descriptions of every species of British Fern,
Cultural Notes, etc., together with Descriptions of Rambles after
Ferns through the Green Lanes, the Woods, and the G.ens ot
Devonshire.

BY FRANCIS GEORGE HEATH,

Honorary Secretary of the Park Preservation Society,

Author of " The English Peasantry," " The ' Romance ' of Peasant

Life," etc., etc.

THE QUEEN has graciously accepted a copy of11 The Fern Paradise"
presented by the Author to Her Majesty, as "a volume designed to
increase the popular taste for the study and cultivation of the most
graceful and beautiful of the many forms of vegetable life."

©pinions of fyt |)r£S5S
(SELECTED FROM 100 FAVOURABLE REVIEWS).

The Garden.
"This book has for its acknowledged
object the development of the popular
taste for ferns. If an enthusiastic

Saturday Review.

"It is an appropriate undertaking
for a practical philanthropist to bring
home fern-hunting and fern-culture to

imagination, and splendid powers of
description are likely to assist in the
accomplishment of the author's pur-
pose, Mr. Heath will probably have
the satisfaction of knowing in cime that

The plan of Mr. Heath's book is well
conceived. First he stimulates a taste
for the fernery by vivid descriptions
of fernland and its unflowering botanic
inhabitants ; and this done, he intro-

evidently been a labour of love ; and

ferns/ the only species of their respec-

from an aesthetic rather than from a
scientific point of view, the opportunity
has been afforded for descriptive writ-
ing of a ki -d rarely to be found in
works bearing upon botanical matters."

British Quarterly Review.

some seven interesting fern groups ;
and all this simply and clearly, and
yet with enough of exactness to pre-
vent any scientific reader having the
right to cavil at an untechnicalitv,
which is an especial boon to the
general reader and amateur fern fan-
cier. . . . Unless Mr. Heath himself

written by one who is an intense lover
of nature and who has thrown around
his subject not only the light of science
biit the charm of enthusiasm and
poetry."

depicts on paper the scenes with which
his favourite plants are connected, it
might be worth an artist's while to
visit some of the haunts and outlooks
of his Devonian rambles."

[Please turn over.

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS— continued.

"The chapters which the author
devotes to accounts of rambles amongst
green lanes and shady nooks are
delightfully fresh, and full of pictu-
resque descriptions and delicate word
painting. Lovers of the beautiful in

programme for a country holiday than
to follow, The hem Paradise in
hand, Mr. Heath's wanderings. . . .
We have read with great pleasure his
charming descriptions."

Morning Advertiser.

•"The charm of Mr. Heath's book
lies in its unaffected and fresh descrip-
tions of nature. Eveiy line reads as
if— as is no doubt the case —the author

will be found very useful by many
whose enthusiasm as horticulturists is
greater than their knowledge. . . .
The first part of the book treats of the
haunts the writer's favourite plants
love, and describes these with fresh-
ness and much picturesque beauty of
style. 'Ihe second treats more parti-
cularly of ferns and fern culture."

Hour.
"It is not the first time we have
accompanied the talented writer
through the country districts of Eng-
land ; but in his English Peasantry
and ' Romance ' of Peasant Life,
charming and instructive though his
pages be, yet his themes perforce in-
clined to the pathetic, and did not per-

tions and experiences of his own. . .
Nothing can be more clear, and yet
ample, than his descriptions of the
various kinds of ferns and fern groups
which form the second portion of his
work. By selection, abridgment, per-
fect familiarity with his subject, and
great exactness of expression, the mass
of information compressed into this
part of the volume is quite extraor-
dinary. The most uninformed may
turn at once to the plant on which
information is desired, and he there
finds it comprised in the fewest possi-
ble words. . . . The Fern Paradise,
which is beautifully got up and illus-
trated, is the most graceful book for a
present to a young lady that we have

Morning Post.
" The Fern Paradise comes from

scapes in which he delights, and which

Nothing can be more delightful than
lazily to wander with him for our
guide, philosopher, and friend. . . .
The appearance of the book, in its
elegant binding and gilt leaves, is in
harmony with the graceful style of
Mr. Heath's writing and the delicately-
beautiful forms of which he treats."

Pall Mall Gazette
" Mr. Heath describes the lovely
scenery of Devonshire with affection
and enthusiasm, and his advice about
fern-hunting and fern-gardening is
intelligent and useful."

Queen.
" Mr. Heath has written this book
with the avowed object of stimulating

*a well-known writer on popular srb-
jects. While Mr Heath makes his plea
for the culture of ferns almost irresist-
ible by his alluring sketches of ' the
fern paradise of England," he also
shows how readily the most charming
features of that paradise may be
utilized for the ornamentation even of
the humblest dwellings."

'Daily Telegraph.

" There has of late years been a
great development of window garden-
ing in all our large towns, and an
elegantly-written, practical guide to
the principles of this beautiful art, such I

a book better calculated to accomplish
this object, could scarcely have been
given to the public. The author's
descriptions of the scenery in the
western garden of England are graphic
in the extreme."

Land and Water.
"Mr. Heath's object is to extend
the love of fernery. Whether he will
achieve success or not, rests with others
rather than with himself. He has
done his part with characteristic ability
and we imagine that few who read his
book will do so uninfluenced by his
enthusiasm.**

LONDON : HODDER & STOUGHTON PATERNOSTER Row.