146 BALL — THE INDIGENOUS FERNS OF NOVA SCOTIA. 



anticipation of a prosperous future for this part of the Province. 

 Pictou Coal is now practically used with success for iron smelting, 

 and is within four miles of some of the deposits, and is carried 

 across the iron district by the Pictou branch of the Intercolonial 

 Railway. 



"We must now regard Pictou County as possessing in abundance 

 those gifts of nature, which, when properly combined are the 

 foundation stones of empires. The future of Nova Scotia is limited 

 and easily foreseen as long as we continue the present system of sell- 

 ing our raw material for bread. When we assume the position 

 intended for us by nature, and manufacture and work up the treas- 

 ures of the rocks, we enter upon a boundless career. 



Note. — Hand specimens of the samples collected for the Phila- 

 delphia Exhibition, were shown by the writer, to illustrate the 

 paper. 



Art. V. — The Indigenous Ferns op Nova Scotia. By 

 Rev. E. H. Ball, Corresponding Member of the Insti- 

 tute of Natural Science, Halifax. 



{Read before the Institute, April 24, 1876.) 



Amongst the different branches of the study of Nature, none 

 perhaps is more charming and edifying than Botany. It gives a 

 wholesome and pure delight to those who have taste for it. And so 

 generally inherent is this taste, that the botanist, or aspirant botanist, 

 will usually find his own enthusiasm quite catching by the circle of 

 friends amongst whom he moves, if he will only demonstrate it a 

 little, And thus he will see that it only needs a greater active 

 interest to be taken, in order to awaken the same in others ; and by 

 so doing promote the science, and give a pleasure, as truly sui- 

 generis, as it is gratifying and lasting. 



From its necessary tendency to call for walks and rambles into 

 the country, in the woods and open fields, Botany is essentially a 

 healthful study ; and from the ardour with which it inspires its 

 student, it gives an untiring interest. Everything green speaks to 



