36 



NATURE STUDY 



Ferns : 



In early September, it is sometimes possible to gather 



fern plants with a few leaves still in the bud. These 



leaves, or fronds as they are usually called, are rolled. 

 They may be unrolled for a short dis- 

 tance, but the inner portions are as yet 

 undeveloped, and hence well protected. 

 Many kinds are also covered with a 

 brown wool, which makes an additional 

 protection against rain and changes of 

 temperature. Both these points are bet- 

 ter observed, however, in the spring. 



The fern has no flowers, and hence 

 no seed. How then is it reproduced ? 

 By means of spores, which are borne 

 usually on the under side of the leaflets, 

 but sometimes make 

 up the whole stalk. 



Often, too, they make 



up the larger part of 



the upper leaflets, while 



those below are quite 



barren. 



In the vicinity of 



Philadelphia, the small 



rock fern, the common 



wood fern (Christmas 



fern, as it is often 



called for obvious rea- 

 sons), and the large 



bracken fern have thick 



leaves Avhich do not 



quickly fade. Not less Rock, wood, and Meadow Fern. 



Fern, showing deve 

 oping leaves. 



