BOTANY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 99 



found it impossible to arrange this class in any 

 other way than by its own natural affinities 

 or resemblances pointed out by nature, of these 

 he made six. 



1st. The FERNS, may be known by their 

 plume-like leaves, which are called fronds, 

 being of one continued substance with the 

 branch. The fructification, or fruit making 

 apparatus, is generally on the lower surface of 

 the front, in the form of round or oblong dots, 

 which consist, upon being placed under a magni- 

 fier, of thick clusters of very small, rather flat, cir- 

 cular capsules, which at first are whole, but after- 

 terwards burst and scatter to a great distance 

 an impalpable powder. 



Here is found the Maiden Hair, about which 

 it has been beautifully remarked that botanists 

 have in vain sought to find out its nature, it 

 having seemingly determined to conceal from 

 their learned researches the secret of its flowers 

 and its fruit. It confides to Zephyr alone the 

 invisible germs of its young family. The Crea- 

 tor of all things selects the cradle for its child- 

 ren ; and it pleases him sometimes to form a 

 sombre veil with their waving tresses which 

 ever conceals from vulgar gaze the cave where 



