STUDIES IN FERN LIFE 29 



may assume a trunk-like nature. It is covered 

 with a chaffy material, and is also well adorned 

 with the remains of leaf stalks. The jMale Fern 

 is deciduous in habit, although its leaves will 

 quite often stand through the winter in sheltered 

 places. If a leaf stalk is pulled away it will be 

 noticed that the roots adhere to its base, and 

 not, as might be expected, to the stump-like 

 stem. As will be seen later, this is a feature 

 which is to be observed in the case of other 

 species of ferns. 



An examination of the developing fronds in 

 the month of April is particularly recommended. 

 These have been in preparation for two or 

 three years, and succeeding generations may be 

 discovered inside the circle. How beautifully 

 the opening leaves are coiled, and in what a 

 thorough manner the young growth is pro- 

 tected with the brown chaffy deposit ! This 

 doubtless plays a part in preventing loss of 

 heat and moisture. Should the weather be warm 

 the development of these ferns will proceed at 

 a very rapid rate, and if the plant is visited at 

 weekly intervals it will scarcely be recognised 

 from one time to another. 



With the maturity of the fronds of the Male 



