THE HARD FERN. 145 



are generally not more than one-sixth the length 

 of the frond proper. The Hard Fern grows in 

 varying lengths, according to soil and situation. 

 We have seen magnificent specimens in lovely 

 Devonshire in damp woods, and on the moist 

 banks of brawling streams, growing to a length 

 of nearly a yard. This fern has two perfectly 

 distinct kinds of frond ; the one barren, the other 

 seed-bearing; the latter being always narrower 

 than the former. The barren fronds are lance- 

 shaped, or perhaps it would be better to say 

 they are strap-shaped, but tapering more or less 

 from their base to their centre, and from their 

 centre to their point. One simple midrib in 

 continuation of the stipes clothed on each side 

 with a uniform row of leaflets, not quite separated 

 from each other, but joined by a narrow straight 

 leafy wing, which runs along the entire length of 

 the midrib on both of its sides. The leaflets are 

 somewhat narrow and blunt-pointed ; the whole 

 frond having very much of a comb-like appearance. 

 The fertile fronds are taller than the barren 

 ones, and grow up from the centre of the tufts 



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