6i 



sides : in the few cases where the rock leans forward, so that 

 the water cannot rest, no ferns are seen; but wherever the 

 sides h'e back, and sufficiently retain the moisture, there 

 rich drapery has come. Constant moisture, never stagnant, 

 the glen supplies ungrudgingly. Even when the water 

 reaches the bottom it cannot stay; the general slope of the 

 ground, which is on the side of a mountain, carries it oft 

 to the sea. One other important lesson in connection with 

 the decorative use of ferns may be learned from this Sligo 

 glen — soil is of secondary importance. It is true that 

 the growth is taller and more vigorous in the deep 

 vegetable mould which has filled up the lower levels — 

 the best soil will give the best results — but many a fine 

 fern grows where it can have little but shelter and 

 moisture for its comfort. Nor is this an isolated pheno- 

 menon. One of the most interesting " finds " in my collection 

 was taken from a limestone wall beside a public road. The 

 wall was built against a hill with a northern aspect. There 

 was constant moisture percolating from above, and the aspect 

 ensured shelter from the sun, but there was nothing of the 

 nature of soil. Nevertheless, from top to bottom the 

 masonry was covered with Hartstongues. Similarly, in 

 limestone districts, where shelter and moisture are granted, 

 disused kilns often become so overgrown as to suggest that 

 the real object of their construction w^as to demonstrate 

 what Hartstongues can accomplish in the way of decoration- 

 Typical fern haunts, which further illustrate the need of 

 shelter, are the rifts or clefts, as in the Arran Islands, 

 where the Maiden-hair [Adiantum Capillus Veneris) grows, 

 and the sea caves are made beautiful by the Sea Spleenwort 

 {Asplenium marinnm). I touch them lightly, and hasten on.. 

 If the Maiden-hair and Sea Spleenwort are asked to decorate, 

 they will only do it under cover. In this paper it is the 

 effects that can be got outside that chiefly concern us. 



We take, then, a valley such as may be found in many 

 parts of Wales or of Devonshire ; if it is narrow, so much 

 the better ; a stream winds along the bottom ; its banks- 



