UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 141 



" As very numerous examples of the arborescent 

 as well as the herbaceous ferns occur in the coal 

 formation, it can scarcely be doubted that this 

 order of plants was formerly much more numerous 

 than it is now ; and that the forests of the primi- 

 tive world were abundantly stocked with them." 



" That is the more probable/ ' said my uncle, " as 

 there is reason to suppose that ferns were among 

 the first plants that spread over the surface of the 

 globe, and that they were the basis of a more 

 general vegetation, by preparing the ground for 

 others. Their large fronds probably deriving as 

 much nourishment from the atmosphere as from 

 the earth ; while their annual decay rapidly in- 

 creases or improves the productive soil." 



" I do not mean, however," said Miss Per- 

 ceval, " that the antediluvian woods consisted en- 

 tirely of ferns ; for the remains of many other 

 plants, and of some large trees, are found mixed 

 with those of fern -just as the living woods of 

 the equinoctial regions, though very rich in 

 ferns, consist of a great variety of plants of all 

 sizes. Several specimens of palms, and of bam- 

 busse, have been discovered ; and the cactus is 

 another tribe which appears very abundantly 

 amongst these petrifactions." 



" And I believe," said my uncle, " that the 

 remark I made respecting ferns may be repeated 

 of those tribes, that they are furnished with a 

 singular structure of organs adapted for respira- 



