THE LADY FERN. 141 



covering branches keep in the shadow and 

 keep out the sun, there will you find the 

 Lady Fern perched, its droopingly-delicate and 

 lace-like fronds quivering in response to the 

 touch of the thousand tiny water-drops which, 

 flung by the dashing water, fall over it each 

 moment. Sometimes, but rarely, when streams 

 are not near, this exquisite fern may be found 

 growing on open hedge-banks; but these are 

 not its favourite nor its natural habitats; and 

 when by chance it may be growing there, it 

 will be found to have lost half of its natural 

 grace and delicacy. In the deepest shade of 

 the wood, on moss-covered soil, through which 

 pure water unceasingly percolates, causing heavy 

 moisture to pervade the air; or at the foot of 

 a shady bank, over which trickles a tiny stream 

 from the level above it ; or perchance perched 

 in the dark cleft formed by the overhanging 

 rock of a waterfall, will you find the Lady 

 Fern developed to its grandest proportions, 

 and assuming its most graceful and beautiful 

 aspect. 



