CHAPTER XLVI 



SECOND WEEK IN DECEMBER 



LONG before flowers appeared upon the earth the beauti- 

 ful greenery of ferns and lycopods clothed its barren- 

 ness, and still we have their impressions in fossils and 

 coal to prove the fact. There were giants in those days, too, 

 amongst the filices or fern tribe ; for some of these plants 

 have been thus discovered which measured upwards of 90 feet, 

 extending to the breadth of 30 feet. But these gigantic 

 specimens have long disappeared, and are as distinct as the 

 ichthyosaurus, which probably disported itself merrily 

 amongst these enormous fronds ; and we now have a race 

 of smaller but most beautiful specimens, although the tree 

 ferns of Australia and New Zealand still reach the height of 

 50 feet. 



Ferns are yet to be found all over the habitable globe, 

 however, and it is a curious fact that they will grow even 

 within the Arctic Circle, although they are most abundant 

 in the warm, moist tropical regions, many of them having a 

 remarkably wide distribution. Osmunda regalis, for in- 

 stance, our British Royal fern, may be found in abundance 

 on the Nilgiri Hills and other mountainous districts of India, 

 and the only maidenhair fern which is indigenous in our 

 islands (i.e., Adiantum capillus-veneris) grows also in many 

 countries, in Asia as well as in Europe and America. 



As a rule all ferns rejoice in a moist equable atmosphere, 

 without sharp draughts or burning dryness ; but fortunately 

 there are many that can be well grown in a greenhouse, 

 whilst some will thrive, with proper care, even in a room, 

 although special precautions are then necessary for them. 



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