4 
The Root. Ferns possess roots by. which 
they are fastened to the soil and obtain nutri- 
ment therefrom. These roots consist entirely 
of fibres and are said to be fibrous; they have 
a more or less rigid wiry texture and, when 
young, are covered with fine soft downy hairs, 
termed rvoot-hairs. The roots are borne on the 
underside of the stem, when the latter is pros- 
trate or creeping along the ground; but when 
the stem is more or less erect, they arise towards 
its lower end on all sides indifferently and 
proceed from amongst the bases of the decayed 
leaves. 
The Stem. The stem forms either an upright 
or creeping stock, The upright stem is called 
caudex. [Plate I.-B.Cd.] Though the caudex 
rises not much above ground in most species, 
there are some ferns in which it reaches a height 
of thirty to fifty feet or more and gives a tree-like 
appearance‘to the plants. The latter are conse- 
quently known as Tvee-Ferns or Arborescent 
Ferns. The creeping or prostrate stem is known 
as the rhizome. [Plate I.-A. Rh.] Parts 
of the stem not buried in the soil are 
often covered with hairs or scales and: 
sometimes so thickly as to become quite 
shaggy. 
