22 I 



Hence in these walls we find colonies of the various 

 Spleenworts, associated with Polypodies, common, Oak, 

 and Beech Fern, and last, but not least, the beautiful, 

 strap-fronded Hart's-tongue will be found, not merely in 

 a comparatively small state in the chinks and crevices, 

 but also in robust condition along the foot. Such dykes, 

 indeed, form ideal hunting grounds for the Fern enthu- 

 siast, for besides the wall or rock Ferns proper there are 

 sure to be innumerable seedlings of the dell species, 

 which, being precluded by their position from becoming 

 huge, full-grown specimens, make up for this by their 

 numbers, and in this way increase the hunter's chances 

 of a find. In such a lane or cutting we have frequently 

 found no less than fifteen or sixteen different species, 

 and it is clear, therefore, that a sunken artificial rockery 

 shaded judiciously by trees may represent one of the 

 ideal habitats we have in view. Some Ferns, however, 

 are more exacting in their water requirements than even 

 the dell Ferns aforesaid, unless, indeed, that dell develops 

 here and there — as it well may do — into a local bog or 

 marsh. In that case we may find a colony of the Royal 

 , Fern (Osmunda regalis) lifting its tall, fertile fronds from 

 amidst an abundant circle of more drooping barren ones ; 

 a grand sight indeed under ideal conditions. On the 

 banks of the Upper Dart we have seen this splendid 

 Fern with huge fronds 10 feet high covering the stream- 

 banks like a coppice. The secret of such growth is that 

 although the crown of the Fern is well above the water- 

 level, its deeply penetrating roots are really below it, 

 and, given these conditions, the Osmunda, owing to the 

 toughness of its fronds, will stand considerable sunlight 

 without damage. Naturally, this fact renders it par- 

 ticularly adapted for water-side culture generally, in proof 

 of which we need only refer to our illustration of a 

 beautiful specimen, the condition of which attests how 



