102 



NATURE STUDY MADE EASY 



While the fronds are unrolling above ground, the underground 

 stem is slowly creeping with its tiny roots under stones and wood. 

 It is searching for moisture for the fern plant. 



When next you take a country walk, pull up a fern root. Do 

 not break it, but dig down carefully all around it. Bring it home, 

 and plant it in a cool, moist place. Water it, watch it, and see how 

 the fronds unroll and increase. 



Fern Song 



Dance to the beat of the rain, little fern, 



And spread out your palms again, 

 And say, " Though the sun 

 Hath my vesture spun, 



He had labored, alas, in vain, 

 But for the shade 

 That the cloud hath made, 



And the gift of the Dew and the Rain." 

 Then laugh and upturn 

 All your fronds, little Fern, 



And rejoice in the beat of the rain ! 



JOHN B. TABB. 



LESSON XXXV 



KINDS OF FERNS 



There are hundreds of varieties of these graceful plants. Would 

 we not like to know some of them by name ? Would we not like 

 to seek them out in their native home? No plants know so well 

 how to choose their haunts as do the ferns. 



