TROIIP IV FERTILE AND STERILE FRONDS LEAF-LIKE AND SIMILAR; 

 SPORANGIA ON OR BENEATH A REFLEXED MARGIN 



an afternoon drive over an unused mountain load 

 brought us to a picturesque spot where the clear 

 stream tumbled into a rock-paved basin, suggesting 

 so vividly the joy of 



" the cool silver shock 



Of the plunge in a pool's living water,'' 



that then and there we resolved soon to pitch our 

 tent upon its banks. In all respects it was not a 

 suitable camp site. There were no balsams or ever- 

 greens of any kind available for bedding in the 

 neighborhood, so when, a few days later, we had 

 taken up our quarters just above the rock-paved 

 pool, we went into our temporary back-yard where 

 the Dicksonia grew abundantly with its usual soft 

 and seductive appearance, and gathered great arm- 

 fuls for the night's rest. I must frankly own that I 

 never slept on so hard a bed. Since then I have 

 been more than ever inclined to believe that ferns 

 inhabit the earth chiefly for decorative ends. In 

 the present age they do not lend themselves as once 

 they did to medicinal purposes. Usually they are 

 without culinary value. So far as I know animals 

 refuse to eat them on account of their acrid juices. 

 And experience proves that when used as a bed 

 they do not 



" medicine thee to that sweet sleep 



Which thou owedst yesterday.'' 



The Hay-scented Fern is very sensitive, wither- 

 ing with the early frosts. Sometimes in the fall it 



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