GENERAL CHARACTERS OP FERNS. 29 



much as 40 or 45 feet ; so that we must not judge of the whole 

 race, by the comparatively insignificant specimens, which our own 

 climate produces. These stems do not, however, afford any 

 wood sufficiently solid to be employed in the arts. (Fig. 3.) 



24. The organs of reproduction in Ferns, have no evident 

 analogy with the flowering system in higher plants. Nothing 

 like a flower is ever seen in this group ; and the fructification is 

 incorporated, as it were, with the leaves, being generally found, 

 when mature, in brown spots or lines on their under surface or 

 at their edges (Fig. 2) ; the nature of the organs composing these 

 will be hereafter described (Chap. xu.). In most Ferns, all 

 the leaves are concerned in producing the fructification ; but in 

 some (of which the Osmunda regalis, or Flowering-Fern, as it 

 is commonly but incorrectly termed, is an example) certain 

 leaves are devoted to the production of the fructification, and are 

 termed fertile : whilst others only perform the usual functions of 

 leaves, and are called sterile leaves, from the absence of repro- 

 ductive power in them. The term frond is generally applied to 

 the leafy portions of the Cryptogamia, as distinguishing them 

 from the true leaves of Flowering Plants, which have only one 

 set of offices to perform. Sometimes the fertile frond of Ferns 

 altogether loses its leafy aspect, its edges being completely rolled 

 in, so as to inclose the fructification ; and this separation of the 

 reproductive from the nutritive portion of the system, which 

 makes the distinction in Flowering-plants between the flowers 

 and the leaves, is as complete as any which the Cryptogamia 

 exhibit. 



25. One of the most interesting peculiarities of the Ferns, is 

 the spiral mode in which its leaflets and leaves are rolled up, 

 before their first appearance ; each leaflet being rolled up towards 

 the rib which supports it, the ribs again towards the midrib, 

 and the midrib towards the footstalk. The unfolding leaves, in 

 a state closely resembling those represented at the top of Fig. 3, 

 may constantly be seen during spring, in spots where this group 

 abounds ; and, when examined, display the most provident and 

 beautiful arrangement of the numerous minute parts, of which 

 the whole leaf consists. Few common objects, indeed, are more 



