PERNS OP GREAT BRITAIN. 45 



the cleft of the rocks it is generally much, shattered by 

 the winds or cropped by sheep, which seem to be fond 

 of it." It has been found in abundance in the fissures 

 of hmestone rocks near Settle in Yorkshire, at an eleva- 

 tion of 1,550 feet. 



This fern is very similar to the Male Pern, but it 

 differs essentially in not having the lower pinnae gra- 

 dually diminished. It is sometimes termed Aspidium 

 rigidum or Lophddium rigidum. 



4. L. Mlix-mds (Male-Fern). — Fronds tufted, twice- 

 pinnate ; pinncB linear-lanceolate ; pinnules oblong, blunt, 

 and serrated; clusters of fructification near the central 

 vein. This fern possesses the great charm of common- 

 ness. We find it in green lane, on open heath, and 

 beneath the shadowy boughs of the woodland. Like the 

 daisy, it stands connected with the pleasing reminiscences 

 of early days, when we gathered its plume-like fronds to 

 form a stay to the more fragile nosegay of wild flowers, 

 which we bound against its firmer green leaf. We may 

 see the handsome fronds of the Male Fern in almost all 

 our country walks in summer, and often do they vary 

 the more barren landscape of winter. It would be likely 

 enough to be one of the ferns to which Robert Nicols 



alludes : — 



" An ell-lang wee thing, there I ran 

 Wi' the ither neebor bairns, 

 To pu' the hazel's shinin' nuts 



An' to wander 'mang the ferns : 

 An' to feast on the bramble berries brown, 



An' gather the glossy slaes 

 By the burnie's side ; an' aye sinsyne 

 I hae loved sweet Orde' Braes." 



The tall fronds of the Male Fern, two or three feet in 



