124 THE FERN PARADISE. 



granted ; and that it represents to the vulgar eye 

 more completely, indeed, than any other member 

 of the graceful family to which it belongs the 

 idea of "a fern" we equally concede. But we 

 indignantly repudiate the attempt to fasten the 

 stigma of vulgarity upon the wild Brake. The 

 reproach recoils upon those who invented it ; 

 and the beautiful plant will have its reward in 

 the keen appreciation of the true fern- lover. 



We have said that the Brake is to be found 

 almost everywhere. The general fact is a suffi- 

 cient indication of its hardiness. But under such 

 conditions alone as ferns love is it to be found 

 growing in full splendour, and endowed with all 

 its natural grace and beauty. Alike on the wild 

 open common, in the dark shade of the woodland, 

 by the glancing waters of our streams, perched on 

 the hedge-tops, swathed in the deep foliage of the 

 hedge-bank, covering the hill-sides, on the bleak 

 hill-top, grow the Brakes ; now tall and vigorous, 

 now dwarfed and feeble : but whether of giant or 

 pigmy growth, ever graceful. Where yonder wood 

 has year by year, for many a long year past, shed 



