THE BUSHES, GRASSES, AND FERNS. 287 



nor since, with the exception of even a more tropic- 

 looking plantation of the same fern on the shores 

 of one of the large Norfolk lakes or rig. LM 

 " Broads," at Irstead, near Norwich. 

 There was the Royal Flowering 

 Fern (Osmunda regalis), never better 

 deserving its name. The large light- 

 green fronds and stout stems covered 

 at least a hundred square yards 

 like a miniature forest, each stem 

 terminating in a spike of brownish- 

 yellow sori, or spore-cases, which 

 have caused it to be named " flower- 

 ing." (Fig 216). Not many years 

 ago the " seed " or spores of this 

 fern were fully believed to render 

 the person carrying them invisible ; 

 but before they had this effect it 

 was necessary to gather them at 

 midnight, on St. John's eve ! In 

 Norfolk we have seen this fern 

 growing to the height of five or 

 six feet. 



The limestone walls of Derby- 

 shire are the places for ferns. Here, Royal "Fern 

 in abundance, grow the Maiden- regaits. 

 hair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes), with its 

 shining black stem and bright green, roundish 

 pinnules. The Bladder Fern (Cystopteris fragilis) 

 will be found associated with it, and when we say it 



