HERE is, perkaps, no group of plants wKick can give such large 

 returns in pleasure ana profit to the amateur naturalist as do 

 the ferns. Xlieir grace ana delicacy, tne attractiveness of tneir 

 naunts, tne satisfactory way m vi^nicn they can be preserved, 

 tkeir willingness to be domesticated, — all tbese characters make 

 them favorites witn nature lovers. 



TKe Dells of tbe Wisconsin River are favored baunts of tbe ferns. 

 In all, twenty-seven species are known, a large majority of all of tbe ferns 

 native to tbe state, and a good representation of tbe ferns of tbe nortbern and 

 eastern states. In tbe nine miles of its wanderings between sandstone clifrs, 

 tbe banks of tbe Old Wiscons sbow great diversity of conditions, from tbe 

 standpoint of a fern: deep sbady ravines witb dripping rocks for tbe bladder 

 ferns; ricb moist woods running up from tbe dells for tbe sbield ferns; dry 

 sunny uplands to cultivated fields and woods -wbere tbe bracken grows; ex- 

 posed ravines witb dry shelving rocks wbere tbe purple cliff brake gets a 

 footbold; and wet sunny spots wbere tbe marsb fern thrives. Delicate ferns 

 and hardy, ferns like tbe slender cliff brake so small that they escape at- 

 tention unless you are ready to see them; big sturdy ferns reaching almost 

 to your shoulder, like a jungle of tbe interrupted fern; rare ferns whose 

 haunts are know^n and jealously guarded by tbe few who care for them; and 

 even a fe-w stragglers, like tbe walking leaf, more at home on limestone form- 

 ations. A. paradise of ferns! 



Much of the beauty of the small ravines is due to the ferns. But 



