38 HANDY BOOK OF 
preferring a perpendicular surface, from whence its delicate 
fronds spring forth in a nearly horizontal direction, inclining 
upwards at the extremity. 
Jn Cornwall, dripping rocks near St. Ives are favourite 
growing-places of this rare fern ; as also a small cove on 
the eastern side of Carrack Gladden, and a cove between St. 
Ives and Hayle. At the Lizard Point, that most southern 
promontory of England, the scene of many a bitter parting 
from those who are bound to the westward botanists are 
likewise rarely disappointed in collecting some of the finest 
specimens. 
Fern collectors who visit the principality of Wales during 
their summer excursions, may find the species in a some- 
what considerable range comprised within the rocks of 
Dunraven, in Glamorganshire, and Barry Island. A marked 
restriction with regard to locality prevails in Ireland ; 
although abounding with such dripping rocks as the Maid- 
enhair principally affects, as yet it is discovered only in 
the south isles of Arran ; among the Cahir Couree moun- 
tains, near Tralee, at the foot of a romantic rock facing- 
south-west ; and on the banks of Loch Bulard, near 
Urrisbeg, Connemara. 
Professor Beattie, who loved ferns, and sought them out 
in their most secluded haunts, mentions the true Maiden- 
hair as growing on the banks of the Carron, a rivulet in 
Kincardineshire. 
The generic name, Adiantum, is derived from two Greek 
words, signifying to moisten, or become wet. This elegant 
plant is about five or six inches in height ; the leaflets are 
fan-shaped, and of a very delicate transparent green ; the 
roots are fibrous, black, and wiry ; the rhizoma black and 
scaly ; young fronds appear early in May, though their 
divisions are not fully developed before June. They mostly 
continue green till winter! but shrink instinctively from 
storms and piercing winds : the botanist who then seeks for 
them finds only a few dull brown branches, where a few 
