FERA'S. 245 



In length the tallest fronds of this pretty fern do not exceed twelve 

 iaches ; the barren and younger growth of fronds vary from a few inches 

 to six or seven. The fronds are circinate in vernation, being closely- 

 rolled in, and when first breaking the ground the whole of the frond 

 is covered thickly with white silvery hairs, which assume a fine lights 

 shining brown after exposure to the light and air, as the season advances. 



Very fine specimens of the Hairy Woodsia were sent to me by the 

 kindness of Mr. Watt, from the neighbourhood of Montreal, and also 

 by my much-esteemed botanical friend. Professor Macoun. Though not 

 uncommon in some localities near Montreal and eastward, it was 

 unknown to our forest settlement at that time ; but it is found among 

 the rocks that form the western and southern barrier, that surround 

 that little gem-like lake, known by the settlers in Smith and Burleigh as 

 Fairy Lake, a little tarn of some acres in extent, separated from Stoney 

 Lake by a wall of rocks. This lonely spot is known chiefly to the 

 hunter and trapper, but latterly its loneliness has been invaded by 

 pleasure seekers, and sought out where it lies, — 



" 'Mid circling rocks tha" hide it from the world."" 



To some such, it may appear rugged and savage in its wildness of 

 rocks and trees, and tangling underwoods ; but not so to the Botanist 

 and Field-Naturalist, who will find in it many flowering shrubs and ferns, 

 such as the noble Osinunda regalis and the small but interesting 

 Woodsia^ one of the most charming of our Rock-ferns, and well worth 

 the attention of those persons who delight in artificial rock-work in their 

 gardens or pleasure grounds. One would think it would be easy of 

 culture, as it seems hardy in its natural condition, where, with Alpine 

 hardihood, it braves the cold of our Canadian Winters and rocky heights 

 unhurt. Many of our ferns once little known or valued, have been 

 sought out and brought into notice by the labours of the intelligent 

 members that form the Botanical branch of the Field-Naturalists' Club of 

 Ottawa. All praise be due to the men who have made known, 

 by their industrious researches, the riches that have been so long 

 unnoticed in our forests, our rocks and our waters. 



To a certain class of minds these things appear trivial and of no 

 value ; they do not see that the power of a nation does not consist only 

 in trade and what arises from its commerce alone, but in the intelligence 

 of its people, and in the natural productions of the soil, which, being 

 sought out and made known, are — through the mechanical skill and 

 inventive genius of others — the source of a nation's wealth and greatness. 



Gossamer Fern — Dicksonia pilosiuscula, (Willd.) 



Gossamer Fern, a charmingly appropriate name for one of the most 

 beautiful and graceful of our native ferns, more delicate in the fine 



