104 FERNS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 



A witching and weirdly gift may claim 



To help him at his need : 



Unseen, unknown, he may pass alone 



Who owneth the fern-seed spell ; 



Like the viewless blast, he sweepeth past. 



And walks invisible ! 



Have ye to learn, how the Eagle fern 



Doth in its heart enshrine 



An oak-tree like that which the hunter Hearne 



Haunted in days " lang syne V 



An oak-tree small is repeated all 



Complete in branch and root. 



Like the tree whereunto King Charles did flee. 



When press'd by hot pursuit. 



To his son its shade gave but traitor aid 



When, striving to lie conceal'd, 



On foot he fled, in fear and dread. 



From Sedgemoor's fatal field ; 



In doublet mean was a peasant seen. 



Wearing a priceless ring — 



He whom the voice of the people's choice 



So late had hail'd their king. 



Oh, Eagle fern ! when I thee discern, 



When thy wither'd leaf I meet, 



In places the careless foot might spurn, 



The crowded mart or street. 



Thou takest me back to thy birth-place fair. 



Where thou wavest in thy pride, 



And the form of the hare and the deer's close lair 



Doth 'mid thy stems abide. 



14. Adiantum (Maiden -hair). 



1. J. Capzllus- Veneris (True Maiden-hair). — Frond 

 irregular; pinnules stalked, lobed, roundish, wedge- 

 shaped, alternate; barren lobes serrated; fertile lobes 



