RAMBLES IN SEARCH OF FERNS. 
45 
Parsley fern, and the general resemblance of the fern to the plant of 
which it was the namesake, left no doubt as to its identity (Allosorus 
crispus , Fig. 2 and B). 
I had scarcely finished my examination of the pretty little plant, 
when Willie returned with an excited face. “ I can’t get the secret out 
of my old hag,” he exclaimed, “ because she says her comrades would 
be ready to take her ‘ poor dear life’ if they found her out ; but she 
has given me a nice plant for you. She says it would be im- 
possible for you to get it for yourself, for she has to creep along 
the edge of a precipice, and crawl through strange holes among the 
cliffs, in places only fit for a cat to climb, to come to the spot where 
it grows.” 
I was gratified beyond measure in finding that the boy’s gift 
wa3 a plant of the true Maiden-hair, and I gazed with rapture 
upon its quivering fronds : Willie waited to be told something 
about it. 
“ People used to make a decoction of the juice of this plant, mixed 
with that of some other herbs, and call it capillaire. It was supposed 
greatly to promote the growth and beauty of ladies’ hair. The fruit 
here is disposed in crescent-like masses near the margin, at the back of 
the fan-shaped leaflets, and the stalks are so slender that they tremble 
at every breath of air. I have seen it mingled with white flowers 
forming a bride’s bouquet, and nothing could be more lovely. I am 
more grateful than I can express for the plant, dear Willie. I just 
wanted it to complete my collection of the great group of ferns, called 
the Aspidiaceae” ( Adianlum capillus veneris , Fig. 3 and C). 
W illie looked content, and took his leave. I contrived to pay the 
poor donkey woman for her fern, and carried the plant from place to 
place with me, until I found an opportunity of sending it to Esther for 
her fern-case. 
My next visit was in Cornwall, where I was to spend the remainder 
of my holiday. Before I had been many days at Looe, I contrived to 
engage my friends to accompany me in a fern expedition. 
