86 THE FERN PARADISE. 



will find small specimens of the Male Fern, with 

 their shuttlecock shapes ; the dark green fronds 

 of the Hartstongue, and, dropping out of gnarled 

 and moss-covered tree trunks, the beautiful 

 Polypody ! 



Now, for a moment, as you pass onwards, the 

 arching bushes on each side close over you, whilst 

 grand ferns, of noble growth, spread their tops 

 across from each side, and touch you as you brush 

 between them. Passing with reluctance some 

 glorious specimens of the Male Fern, the Lady 

 Fern, and the Broad Buckler Fern, far grander 

 in size and aspect in this their native home than 

 they ever grew on artificial rockwork, you come 

 upon a spot on your right where a host of 

 exquisite fronds of the Soft Prickly Shield Fern 

 clothe the hedge-bank, and compel you to stop 

 and admire them. The colouring of this species 

 is extremely rich, when the plants are vigorous 

 and finely grown. From the base of the frond to 

 the apex along the central midrib, and from the 

 base to the apex of the pinnules, run the rust- 

 coloured scales, which strikingly contrast with 



