OSMUNDA. 27 



from the summit of trunks 40 feet in height. Fern remains 

 are abundant in bituminous coal (see Geology, p. 155), and 

 the rocky roofs of the mines are frescoed with the delicate 

 tracery of their fronds in wonderful variety. These fossils 

 indicate that at one period of the Earth's history, the Ferns 

 constituted a large part of the vegetation. 



Among our native Ferns are the Maidenhair (Adiantum), 

 the Climbing Fern (Lygodium), the Common Brake (Pteris). 

 Splendid tropical Ferns nourish in our conservatories. Many 

 of our own may be easily cultivated in the open air, or in 

 Wardian cases with pleasing results. 



The Ferns are not important either as food or medicine. 

 The rhizomes and young shoots of several species are eaten 

 in Australia and Oceanica in the absence of better food. 

 Aspidium fragrans has the scent of raspberries and has been 

 used for tea. From the Maidenhair a cough syrup called 

 Syrup of Capillaire, is made. Aspidium Felix-mas is an 

 effectual vermifuge. 



The Cryptogams. Besides the Ferns and the Mosses, 

 this Grand Division includes also the Clubmosses (Lycopods), 

 the Horsetails (Equisetaceae), the Liverworts (Hepaticae), the 

 Scalemosses (Lichens), the Seaweeds (Algae) and the Moulds 

 and Mushrooms (Fungi), plants descending to the lowest 

 rank, the simplest structure, and the minutest dimensions. * 



Scientific Terms defined : Bipinnatifid. Circinate. Divaricate. 

 Perennial. Pinnate-pinnatifid. Rachis. Vernation. 



* The Cryptogams are numerous and minute beyond conception. They inhabit 

 every clime, from the Equator to the Poles. They lie at the foundation of all life. 

 Without them vegetable and consequently animal life would be impossible. They 

 their lower tribes are the first to grow on cinders, sands and rocks. The last 

 they gradually disintegrate, and, by the decay of successive generations, form at 

 length a soil capable of sustaining plants of higher orders grains, grasses and trees, 

 on which animals may live. Thus plants of higher rank replace those of lower, and 

 fatten on their spoils. But sooner or later these also perish, and then the Crypto- 

 gams resume their sway. On fallen leaves and trunks they multiply, encompassing, 

 penetrating, consuming, and in a few years restore to the earth, with interest, the 

 materials which they had borrowed. 



