FERNS AND THEIR RELATIVES 83 
at the tips of the veins. A second clue is to be found 
in the provision, in many species, of a kind of cap or 
helmet, which spreads like a skin over the groups, and 
saves them from being carried away too soon by wind 
and storm. If you notice carefully these two points, 
you will be able to determine the particular section of 
the fern kingdom to which your discovery belongs. 
Then from some larger book of ferns you will be able, 
by the other details you may notice, to discover the 
exact variety. 
The first group is that of the filmy ferns, whose 
_ representatives are scattered over England, but some- 
what sparsely, and any one of them is a distinct find. 
Perhaps the best known is Wilson’s Filmy Fern, which 
we may take as typical. The fronds are very thin and 
transparent, allowing the veins 
to be seen very clearly through Xl Ui tp 
them. The whole plant has Oh 
the general appearance of a i NG rl} Vp 
-moss, but the clear veining of ys ee 
to keep it distinct. For the 
family distinction, however, we 
must look for the spore-cases, 
and, if the plant be at the 
right season, these will be 
found grouped around the veins 
as they project from the margin 
of the leaf. The vein projects 
even beyond the group, giving 
the plant a slightly bristling 
appearance, though, of course, 
the veins are of the tenderest. WILSON’S FILMY FERN. 
the transparent leaves serves CNG 
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