2 HARDY FEENS. 
of Ferns was within my capacity. I could, as it 
were, measure the length and breadth of what was 
necessary for the knowledge required — no hard 
books, no very unpronounceable names ; but what 
was far better, I saw in the distance long walks in 
pleasant places with cherished friends, a little 
speculation, a little argunaent, and a great deal of 
innocent enjoyment. Then the habits of the 
Ferns pleased me ; the tall graceful Lady Fern 
hiding herself away in some sequestered nook — the 
hardier Filix-mas shooting up tall and straight, 
proud of its strength and size — the pleasure-loving 
little Septentrionale basking in the very eye of the 
sun — the shy Euta-muraria scorning any home or 
companions but those of its own seeldng, and 
quickly pining away in a land of strangers— the 
Scolopendriums revelling in their rich variety of 
form, each with a separate charm, yet together 
forming one of Nature's loveHest groups. 
So I brought to the study of Ferns a lover's 
heart, and like other lovers I have had many 
ups and downs in following the fair objects of 
