THE FERN PARADISE. 



frond, are a series of alternately-placed branches 

 bearing leaflets divided into lobes, which are 

 deeply cleft, although not divided down to their 

 midveins. The leafy expansion surrounding the 

 veins of the leaflets is of a thin, pellucid, almost 

 transparent texture. Indeed, were the plant 

 held up to the light it would seem to consist 

 of a series of branched, wire-like veins, and 

 the leafy texture surrounding these veins would 

 have the appearance of delicate, filmy, semi- 

 transparent wings. The spores of the Bristle 

 Fern are produced under a curious arrange 

 ment. A sort of bristle, which is in reality 

 placed in continuation of the veins of the leaf- 

 let, extends beyond the tip of the latter. At 

 the point of the bristle, placed somewhat like a 

 crown, is a little receptacle for seed ; and in this 

 receptacle, around the veinlet which runs through 

 it, the spores are found. Just where the bristle 

 passes beyond the tip of the leaflet, the substance 

 of the latter is thickened, and the bristle has the 

 appearance of being inserted in a sort of urn. 

 The bristle-like arrangement has given rise to the 

 name of this Fern. It will be easily understood, 



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