THE ROYAL FERN. 155 



by the impatient stream, to be released the next 

 and to fling a shower of silver drops around 

 them. 



Who could resist the temptation to carry 

 away a tiny bit of this river and woodland 

 scenery, by impounding yon jutting clump of 

 fern-roots, Osmunda, Hard Fern, and Mountain 

 Buckler Fern ? There is here enough and to 

 spare, and nature, in its rich profusion, can well 

 afford us the pleasure which we derive from the 

 possession and transplantation of some of our 

 favourites. Nature asks no questions, demands 

 no penalties for our spoliation, but freely gives 

 us up these wild and beautiful plants. 



We have them still. Taken from the dewy 

 moorlands, they nevertheless spread out still 

 their characteristic loveliness in our fern garden, 

 although imprisoned within city walls ; and we 

 never look at them without experiencing a keen 

 sense of pleasure, as we recall all the circum- 

 stances of our wild ramble in search of them. 



