202 WILD FLOWEBS OP 



Although the modus operandi of the reproduction of 

 ferns is not entirely so elucidated as to be devoid of 

 obscurity, it may be sufficient here to observe, that 

 these Cryptogarnic vegetables spring from seeds or 

 spores contained in round capsules or thecce, which are 

 collected upon the frond in linear, oblong, or circular 

 clusters, called sori, which, though in some few in- 

 stances naked, are in most of the species covered with 

 a thin white integument, called an indusium, which 

 being disruptured, displays the ripe thecce. Each theca 

 opens at a transverse irregular fissure, and is fur- 

 nished with a jointed spring nearly surrounding it, 

 whose elasticity causes it to burst and disperse the 

 spores contained within. 



The Ferns have been separated into three divisions, 

 of which I shall here only notice the first the true 

 FILICALES, These have their fructification either 

 dorsal, marginal, or in naked clusters, terminating or 

 attached to the frond. The Polypodiacece and Hyme- 

 nopliyllacece have rings to their theca?, but Osmundacece 

 and Opliioglossacece have their theca3 without rings. 



The Perns cannot exist in a luxuriant state without 

 moisture; they are, therefore, most numerous in 

 humid and woody countries, or where moisture con- 

 stantly drips upon shadowy rocks. They abound in 

 the tropical islands and in equinoctial America ; but 

 in the sultry land of Egypt where rain scarcely ever 

 falls, only one species is known. They become rare 

 towards the north, for Sweden can only number 

 twenty-seven species, while nearly fifty are found in 



red out of one brake alone ; but I went aboute this busyness, all figures, 

 conjurynges, saunters, charmes, wytchcrafte and forserves sett a syde, 

 takynge wyth me two or three honest men to bere me companye." 

 TUHNER'S Herbail, folio, 2nd Part. 



