NATURE STUDY MADE EASY 



103 



You will find them in the lonely, remote places far from the 

 noisy crowd, by the clear brook, in shady nooks, or seeking shelter 

 under a beetling rock or jutting out from cracks in the great 

 rocks. 



If we would breathe the pure, fresh air in quiet and peace, let 

 us follow the ferns They will always lead us to the most beautiful 

 spots. 



One day's holiday in the woods in our own state of New 

 York will show us from twenty to thirty varieties. Mr. Under- 

 wood, a lover of ferns, found thirty- 

 four different species in a radius of 

 three miles near Greene's Lake, New 

 York. 



The Christmas Fern, so called be- 

 cause it is green all winter, all should 

 know. It has large, smooth, glossy 



fronds. It grOWS in rocky WOOds. CHRISTMAS FERN 



Early in April the Fiddleheads push up their big, woolly fronds, 

 and can be found growing in our woodlands. 



The Oak Fern grows in cedar swamps and wet woods, and is 

 often found near the oak tree. 



The Hart's Tongue is easily known. It has a simple frond. Its 

 tall, glossy leaves stand almost erect. Sometimes fifty fronds 

 grow on one plant. The fruit dots run in a row on each side of the 

 midrib. They are rich brown in color. This fern grows chiefly 

 among limestone rocks. 



