134 THE FERN PARADISE. 



greenness and vigour throughout the winter. The 

 description of this beautiful fern cannot puzzle 

 even the merest tyro in fern lore. A tufted root- 

 stock, its crown elevated slightly above the ground 

 level. Beneath, long fibrous roots, finding their 

 way into the soil, or when growing in rocky 

 places, or amidst old ruins into the moist inter- 

 stices between the masonry. Above, from the 

 crown, tufts of delightful green, leathery-textured 

 fronds, erect and bold in habit when growing in 

 exposed situations ; gracefully drooping when in 

 the dark, damp recesses of a shady retreat. In 

 length from an inch to a yard, sometimes even 

 more, according to circumstances and surround- 

 ings. A stem usually one-third the length of the 

 entire frond stem and leafy portion included. 

 From the point of the stem commences the leafy 

 section of the frond, which is hollowed at its 

 lower part, heart-fashion ; so that from the point 

 where the stem (stipes] ends and the midrib of 

 the frond proper begins, the latter hangs down 

 on each side in the manner of two little ears. The 

 frond proper is tongue-shaped hence doubtless 



