8 . EXCURSION TO MALHAM. 



a lasting retreat well adapted to its growtli from the moisture and shade 

 afforded. It is often seen on the trunk of some tree a little distance from 

 the ground. This elevated position displays the fern in its natural be:<uty. 

 Fronds may be found here twenty inches in length ; and the variety 

 Serratum is not at all uncommon, having the saw-like character of the 

 edge very clearly defined. In my specimen of this variety the depaupera- 

 ted character of the seeds is very apparent, being less than one-half the 

 size of those produced in the normal form of the plant. This observation 

 applies to many other ferns where varieties occur, and specially where 

 an attenuation of the frond appears. The Guelder Eose (Viburnam 

 Opulus) was in flower. This belongs to a genus of plants chiefly American, 

 which are often planted in shrubberies for their beauty in decay. The 

 leaves turn a dark red in Autumn, and sometimes assume a pink or 

 crimson hue, but its beauty does not last much beyond the summer season. 

 Its outer row of flowers is barren of stamens and pistils, and the inner 

 one is fertile. The first village on the road is Airton (the village on 

 the Aire) with its neat little houses and flowery gardens. On the village 

 walls was growing the Wall Kue Fern (Asplenium rata-murari), among 

 some large tufts of the Stone-crop (Sedum Acre), a plant very abimdaut 

 in this district, having bright yellow flowers whose contrast with the dark 

 green color of the fern gives it an additional charm. I know of no other 

 place where this plant attains such a luxiu-iance, and I fear the habitat will 

 soon be destroyed by the children romping on the walls to gather the 

 flowers among which it is so snugly growing. A little distance from 

 Airton is a shady lane diverging to the left and leading to a barn. Here 

 the herb True-love (Paris Quadrifolio) was discovered in moderate 

 abundance. This is a singular-looking plant, being almost entirely green, 

 Avitli the excejition of the anthers and styles which are yellow, and the 

 germen which is of a violet color. The berry which turns nearly black is 

 the most dangerous part of the plant, and is said to be specially fatal to 

 fowls. On returning to the main road and looking closely on the edge of 

 the water which has fallen from the elevated hedgebank, may be seen a 

 beautiful species of Hepatica (Pellia Epyphylla)* with its bright 



• During the Spring of ISfiG, I noticed a very large patch of ground in Shibden 

 Dale, in the wood near the Coalpit water-wheel covered with this moss in full bloom. 

 The dampness and gloom of this wood seem • to answer its requirements remarkably 

 well. 



