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walls are almost covered with little tufts of fronds, and the 

 plants grow to a very line size. It would appear that 

 the climatic conditions and the numerous stone walls are 

 very favourable to this species. 



The Cystoptcvis fvagilis is also abundant, and is found 

 growing very often with or in similar positions to 

 Asphnium rnta muvavia. It is very delicate and has a great 

 charm in the beauty of its finely divided fronds. 



It seems curious that with such a wealth of Asphnium 

 Y. m. and Cystoptcvis f. , tha.t such ferns as Aspleninm adianttim- 

 nigrum and Aspleninm ceterach should be comparatively 

 rare in the district — at least such has been my experience. 

 I remember finding only one plant of Aspleninm cetevach 

 and have found not more than half a dozen plants of 

 Aspleninm a. n. Curiously enough oi Aspleninm trichomanesj 

 however, there seems to be a fair amount. 



The larger species, such as Lastveaf. vi., Lastvea dilatataj 

 Ptevis aq., Polypodinm v., Scolopendvinm v. and Athyvinm 

 f.f., are all abundant. 



It is pitiful, however, to see how places much resorted to 

 by the public are being despoiled. If, for instance, a walk 

 is taken through the famous Dovedale it will be noticed, 

 readily, that ferns along the public footpath side are few, 

 whilst on the opposite side of the River Dove, which is 

 private, the fern life on the banks and rocks flourishes 

 and many magnificent specimens of the larger ferns may 

 be seen. It seems a great pity that the fern life of such a 

 romantic spot should be so ruthlessly uprooted. 



The Lastvea montana does not appear to grow in great 

 abundance, but on one hillside I noticed a fine colony of 

 beautiful plants, and no doubt others exist. 



The Polystichum aculeatum is also frequent, but the fern 

 does not seem to grow to such fine proportions as in other 

 parts. I did not come across a single specimen of the 

 Blechnum spicant, which is said to grow in the woods. 



The study of fern life from the point of view of the 



