THE FANTASIES OF FERNS 187 



were evolved, and held sway when fishes were the 

 highest type of animals. Then gigantic forms of 

 Ferns, Lycopods and Horsetails, did their work 

 of absorbing the carbonic acid gas from the sur- 

 charged air, and transforming it into mighty forests, 

 the only terrestial verdure. This work complete, 

 the atmosphere purified, these forests were in their 

 turn submerged, turned slowly to vast beds of coal, 

 and higher plant forms appeared above them. 

 Though the Fern tribe as a modified type remains, 

 it has dwindled in numbers and stature until the 

 extinct species far exceed the living, so that the 

 tribe that once was all in all, now holds a little 

 fiftieth part of the earth's flora, and is a mere back- 

 ground, as it were, for the varied forms, glowing 

 colors, and soft perfumes which blend to dower the 

 flowering plants with the fascination of personality. 



"I wonder why Ferns are such nameless sort of 

 things, not nearly so livable and lovable as flowers," 

 said Flower Hat, as she leaned against a sloping 

 rock, cushioned with moss and Polypody, cast aside 

 her hat among a mass of Christmas Ferns, and 

 rumpled her hair after a fashion of her own "to 

 let it breathe," as she said, all the time fanning idly 

 with a broad Fern frond. 



