T 



CHAPTER VI. 



THE MAIDENHAIR. 

 Adtantum capillus-veneris. 



HIS beautiful fern is one of the rarest of 

 our native species. It is found in Devon- 

 shire and Cornwall, in some parts of South 

 Wales, and in Ireland ; in Ireland, in fact, more 

 abundantly than in any other part of the United 

 Kingdom. But it is more than possible that the 

 Maidenhair abounds in some localities where it has 

 never yet been discovered. It often grows in 

 inaccessible situations, and this fact would give a. 

 reason for the supposition which we have started. 

 Rocks on or near the sea coast, and dripping sea 

 caves, are its favourite habitats. 



The Maidenhair has a black, hairy, creeping 

 caudex of slender shape, from which are thrown 

 up a mass of the most beautiful and delicate 



