THE FANTASIES OF FERNS 



207 



high, some two feet or more, while others, though 

 perfect in shape, were small as Polypodies. Some- 

 what narrow at the base, the leaves increased but 

 slightly and dwindled to a graceful point, while 

 the cup-shaped fruit-dots and rounded, saw- 

 toothed edge distinguish it from the Lady 

 Fern, which it much resembles. All these 

 points, together with a certain crisp tex- 

 ture which, when crushed between the 

 fingers or dried, yields a sweet odor, iden- 

 tify it as Dicksonia or the Hay -scented 

 Fern. Really, to use a cant phrase, it is 

 the best all-around Fern we have beau- 

 tiful in its various haunts on broad, open 

 hillsides and commons as well as in woods, 

 gracious under cultivation, a useful 

 setting for garden flowers when 

 arranged in vase or rose -bowl. Of 

 a light, intense green in Summer, 

 and often renewing its growth, 

 wearing a delicate leaf yellow un- 

 der the bleaching touch of light 

 frost, fragrant even in its decay, 

 bearing a good semblance of life 

 when preserved beyond its season 

 by pressing, such is the Hay- 



