FERNS. 203 



Wherever you find one of these crosiers, you may Ivuow that you 

 have found a fern, and by watching the oradual uncoiling and 

 growth of the fronds from day to day you may become acquainted 

 with the general habits and characteristics of ferns, and so gain a 

 practical knowledge of them. 



But I have trespassed upon your time too long, and I must 

 bring this paper to a close. The subject is one that presents 

 itself in so many different ways that it is well-nigh inexhaustible, 

 and might bo prolonged through a series of such papers. I am 

 bj' no means sure that I have presented my paper on this subject 

 in the best possible manner but I have been anxious to avoid any- 

 thing like a strictly scientific technical treatment, and to make my 

 paper merely as suggestive as possible. Beyond this I must refer 

 you for general investigation and stud}' to Professor Eaton's 

 splendid work on our North American Ferns ; to Professor Under 

 wood's admirable hand-book of '"Our Native Ferns"; to Professor 

 Robinson's invaluable book on "Ferns in Their Homes and Ours," 

 and to John Williamson's precious legacy to fern lovers, the 

 *' Ferns of Kentucky" and "Fern Patchings." These works cover 

 general grounds quite thoroughly, but if a more scientific study is 

 desired yon will be obliged to resort to the text-books previously 

 mentioned. 



Of one thing I can assure j^ou. In whichever direction you 

 may choose to follow out this study you will find it a delightful 

 one. There is an indescribable charm and fascination surround- 

 ing ferns that no other plants possess. They represent the highest 

 types of graceful forms, and so long as the human mind retains its 

 susceptibilit}' to the influence of the beautiful in nature so long 

 will ferns continue to attract and interest mankind. 



I need say no more, but let the ferns shown here this morning 

 speak the rest for themselves, and I am sure that you will agree 

 with me when I say that they are more eloquent than any words 

 of mine. For however much one ma}' feel the inspiration which 

 emanates from them there is yet something wanting in the power 

 of speech to give it utterance. We may, indeed, describe in 

 impassioned words their outward charms, but the essence of all, 

 like the aroma of the pine woods and the odor of spring flowers, 

 escapes into that rarer atmosphere which bathes the soul in 

 unspeakable delight. There are times when the overpowering 

 mastery of our feelings prevents all outward manifestation, and 



