INTRODUCTION TO FERN LAND. 



kind of electric light. As the water falls, drip . 

 drip ! into the pool below, the light increases, and 

 then oh, glorious sight ! you see at the side and 

 on the roof of this lonesome sea-cave the beauti- 

 ful Sea Spleenwort (Asplenium mar-muni), hiding 

 its roots in the cavern- walls, and spreading out 

 its bright green and shining fronds, that they may 

 luxuriate in the dark humidity of its chosen re- 

 treat. Or peer over yonder cliff, whose inacces- 

 sible sides overhang the seething waves ! Look 

 closely into the shady cleft which nestles under 

 yon projecting spur ! There you may see, far out 

 of your reach, one of the most rare and exquisite 

 of the British Ferns the True Maidenhair 

 (Adiantum capiUus-Veneris). Could you venture 

 near enough to grasp it in your hand, you would 

 indeed recognize that it is one of the most exqui- 

 site of plants. Its fine black wiry frond-stems 

 like a dark maiden's hair it is most appropriately 

 named rise in clusters from its crown, the main 

 frond-stems being branched with smaller and more 

 beautiful hair-like stems, which bear upon their 

 tender points the delicate, light-green, fan- 

 shaped leaflets. 



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