28 The Fern Lover's Companion 



We cannot insist too strongly upon the necessity of 

 handling and studying the living plant. Every student 

 needs to observe for himself the haunts, habits, and 

 structure of real ferns. We would say to the young 

 student, while faniiliarizingyourself with the English names 

 of the ferns, do not neglect the scientific names, which 

 often hold the key to their meaning. Repeat over and 

 over the name of each genus in soliloquy and in conversa- 

 tion until your mind instantly associates each fern w'ith 

 its family name — "Adianium" "Poli/stichum," '\isjAen- 

 itim," and all the rest. Fix them in the memory for a 

 permanent asset. With hard study and growing knowl- 

 edge will come growing attachment. How our great 

 expert, Mr. Davenport, loved the ferns! He woidd handle 

 them with gentle touch, fondly stroke their leaves, and 

 devoutly study their structure, as if inspired by the All- 

 wise Interpreter. 



"Move along these shades 

 In gentleness of heart: with gentle hand 

 Touch — for there is a spirit iu the woods." 



