CHAPTER IV. 



THE HARD FERN. 



Blechnum spicant. 



A LTHOUGH not so graceful as most of the 

 British ferns, there is a rigid elegance about 

 the Hard Fern. Its name is admirably suited 

 to its character, for its texture is hard, and its 

 habits robust. But its delightful colour a dark 

 shining green and the elegance of simplicity 

 which is noticeable in the arrangement of the 

 leaflets on its fronds make amends for its lack 

 of feathery grace. Like the Lady Fern, in whose 

 company it is frequently found, it delights in 

 abundant moisture and the most complete shade, 

 perferring situations where water perpetually 

 trickles over its crown. Its fronds grow from a 

 tufted root-stock, and are supported on stems 

 which vary in length in different specimens, but 



