40 FEKNS. 



where it grew ; she had to climb precipices, creep through 

 holes in the rocks, jump over chasms, and encounter 

 dangers equal to those of "Arabian Nights'' heroes. 

 And when, making full allowance for her spirit of 

 romance, it was argued that " what woman had done, 

 woman might do," she assumed a different style of 

 defence, and the other women would take her " poor 

 dear life ;; if she divulged their secret. 



A decoction of this plant is said to be good for pro- 

 motino- the growth of the hair. A friend of mine, 

 sojourning for some months at Arnalfi, near Naples, found 

 her hair begin to fall off with the heat of the climate. 

 At the same time she noticed the luxuriance of the hair 

 of the Italian girls around her. She asked the maid who 

 waited upon her what she used to make her hair so 

 beautiful, and she said only the leaves of a plant infused 

 in water. With characteristic politeness she hastened in 

 search of the plant for her lady's use, and to my friend's 

 great astonishment returned with a handful of the 

 Maiden-hair Fern. A mixture called capillaire, in which 

 this Fern is a principal ingredient, was formerly much 

 used in England for this purpose. Certainly it is a most 

 elegant plant for a house fernery, and is the prettiest 

 possible addition to a bouquet, more especially if it be 

 destined for a bride. 



The order succeeding that of the Aspidiaceae is called 

 Hymenophyllaceae. The Ferns belonging to this order 

 have the spores in a cup-like receptacle, situated on the 

 edge of the frond. 



We sought in the Swaledale woods for the tiny Filmy- 

 Ferns, but in vain. In a subsequent visit to Looe, in 



