28 THE FERN PARADISE. 



mass of delightful curling fronds, each one a yard 

 long, when growing in a moist bed of leaf-mould in 

 the dark recess of some hedge. 



Far out of our reach on the top of the high 

 hedge-bank, are some noble specimens of the Male 

 Fern (Lastrea filix-mas), so called from its erect 

 and robust manner of growth. From the crown, 

 densely covered with rust-coloured scales, spring 

 up a close circle of beautiful fronds, whose under 

 surface is thickly covered with the scales which are 

 so prominent a characteristic of this noble-looking 

 fern. There it grows, perched shuttle-cock fashion 

 on the top of the hedge, the points of its fronds 

 gracefully turned outwards, its crown resting just 

 above the surface of leaf-mould, into the depths of 

 which its long fine roots are plunged. The whole 

 plant rests under the cool shadow of the trees. For 

 years this hedge-bank has evidently been left un- 

 touched, and the annual crops of leaves falling from 

 tree and bush, have piled up on it a rich mass of 

 pure vegetable mould, in which the ferns delight to 

 grow. 



In this same spot, and growing side by side with 



