124 FERNS IN THEIR HOMES AND OURS. 



of growth being continually elevated ; thus produ- 

 cing, as it were, internodes between the fronds. 

 It is therefore taller than other fern-stems, for the 

 same reason that a hollyhock is taller than a dan- 

 delion, although each develops about the same 

 number of leaves. This trunk, in growing, forms 

 woody tissue very much as do the palms. Woody 

 bundles run down from the fronds into the trunk ; 

 but the centre is generally filled with pith. As 

 the old fronds decay they fall off, leaving each a 

 scar on the trunk ; and these scars form odd and 

 sometimes graceful markings on the exterior. The 

 roots of the Tree-Fern originate, not at the base 

 of the trunk as with ordinary trees, but at the base 

 of the crown from which the fronds spring, and 

 among the petioles of former fronds. So we see 

 at once the importance of keeping the trunk con- 

 tinually moist, that the new roots may not become 

 dry on their way down to the earth. This also 

 suggests a resemblance between the trunk of the 

 Tree-Fern and the stem of the creeping species; 

 and hence, also, the life of the Tree-Fern is chiefly 

 concentrated about the crown. If these crowns 

 are kept in good order, Tree-Ferns can be trans- 

 ported from their native countries without either 

 fronds or ground attachment, and packed loosely 

 in boxes ; enough vitality remaining for them, 

 under careful treatment, to regain their former 

 magnificence in a year or two in their new home. 



