FERN'S. 



13 



away the thousand mighty trunks, as the scythe would 

 clear off a curve of grass upon the lawn. 



But hardy as the Holly-Fern is upon its native hills, 

 it seldom flourishes for many years in the fernery. This 

 is partly for want of careful drainage ; but even where 

 that is attended to, the mountaineer too often dwindles 

 away in its confined position. 



The Woodsias come in between the Polypodies and the 

 Polystichums ; but Ave none of us 

 found any specimens then or since. 

 I have seen them in Fern cases, 

 but cannot think of them with 

 anything like the pleasure with 

 which I remember wild specimens. 



The Alpine Wooclsia is covered 

 with brownish hairs, especially 

 under the pinnules. The spore-masses are enclosed in a 

 cover, which opens in the centre, and splits into thread- 

 like segments, which surround the seed-clusters like a 

 fringe. I made a careful sketch to place in my collection, 

 until such time as I should succeed in getting; a living; 

 specimen {Plate IV., Jig. 2). 



The Wooclsia ilvensis has been found in Teesdale, a 

 valley not far from the place of my then sojourn — it 

 separates Yorkshire from Durham ; but for many years 

 the Fern has been sought there in vain. 



Both the Woodsias are rare inhabitants of Alpine situ- 

 ations. 



I laid my specimens, large and small, between sheets 

 of botanical paper — a big stone and a packing-case-lid 

 forming a capital extempore press. 



WOODSIA. 



