The Fern Lover's Co.mp. 



VNION 



185 



CinTiimon F(Tn ^ ir UHisa 

 M II 



Many people in the country call the cinnamon fern the 

 "buckhorn brake," and eat with relish the tender i)art 

 which they find deep within tlie crown at the base of the 

 unfolding fronds. This is known as tlie "heart of Osmund." 

 The fern, itself, with its tall, recurving leases makes a 

 beautiful ornament for the sliady lawn, and like the inter- 

 rupted fern is easy to culti\ate. The spores of all the 

 osmiindas are green, and need to germinate fpiickly or 

 they lose their vitality. C'ommon in low and swami)y 

 grounds in eastern North America and South America and 

 Japan. May. Some think it was this species which was 

 coupled with the serjjent in the old rhyme, 



"Break tlic first brake you see, 

 Kill the first snake you see. 

 And you will conquer every enemj-." 



