FEENS AND PERN-HUNTING. 
15 
vain, that these must become mainly the food of such tiny 
creatures, we need hardly seek further for a solution of the 
mystery. A harder or softer envelope to the spore, or a 
more or less attractive flavour in the plant itself, would 
determine for or against its survival in the struggle for 
existence. 
It will be seen from the foregoing remarks that the Fern- 
hunter has a wide field opened to him for general observation 
in connection with his search for Ferns, and he will And it 
immensely to his advantage to take special note of the con- 
ditions under which his flnds are discovered. By so doing 
he arrives at a practical knowledge of their requirements, 
which will aid him materially in his attempts at cultivation. 
He will soon find out, for instance, that a sudden change in 
the geological conditions may present an altogether different 
set of Ferns for his inspection, a few yards making all the 
difference between profusion and "utter absence of certain 
species. He will also find that some species are never found 
on limestone ; others only on that formation. Clay lands are 
usually poor in results. Some Ferns only affect boggy spots; 
some demand perfect drainage, and never grow upon the soil 
itself; others are never found below a certain level on the 
mountains; others, such as the Bracken, cease to be seen at 
a certain height; and so on. Indeed, as in all other natural 
pursuits, it will be found that every fact is but a link in a 
chain, and that Fern-hunting may be made the nucleus of 
endless study and endless enjoyment of the results achieved. 
One advantage possessed by Ferns is their strong vitality, 
which enables them to survive knocking about for several 
weeks, if their roots be only wi’apped up in moss when found, 
and not permitted to get dry. If they, then, be packed close 
together in an open box, and kept in the shade, a collection 
may be added to for a week or two, in full security that at 
the conclusion of the holiday the hunter may reckon upon 
their survival when duly planted and installed in their new 
home. As we have indicated above, he must then be prepared 
for some disappointment when they develop, as a good per- 
centage are tolerably sure to turn out normal, the presumed 
