RAMBLES IN SEARCH OF FERNS. 
39 
an entirely different description to any I had yet seen. Three or four 
erect fronds, of about one foot in height, rose from the centre of the 
plant, the pinn£e narrow, and bearing a line of fruit on either side of 
the mid-vein. All these pinnse were turned in, so that in many of 
the fronds those ranged on either side of the stem touched one another 
at the points. Numerous fronds with broader pinnse lay flat around 
the circumference of the plant, and a still greater number were half 
recumbent. None of these fronds had any seed on them : the fruitful 
fronds were all erect. I sat down on the dry moss which covered the 
ground, and taking out my book, began a careful investigation, Esther 
watching me curiously. 
“ It is the Hard fern,” I said, after a while, meeting her inquiring 
look. “ There are fruitful and barren fronds, the one erect, the other 
drooping. The seed masses are in lines, and the covering splits 
toward the mid- vein. It is sometimes called Fox fern, because of its 
smell, which I really think resembles that of the animal in question 
( Blechnurn boreale , Fig. 6 and L)). 
“ You have been lucky to-day,” said Esther; “ six new species 
have been added to your collection. Fray, do they come in the right 
order ?” 
“ Yes, exactly right. They all belong to the great family 
Aspidiacete. But this is not a mere chance. I shut my eyes to the 
ferns that I do not want ; and if I begin to examine one that does not 
suit the gap I wish it to fill, I turn away from it as soon as I am 
convinced of its unsuitability. This is my way of keeping my 
head clear.” 
“ Your plan is good for this neighbourhood,” she replied, “ which 
is so rich in ferns, that you can have what you please just when 
you want it. But you will have some difficulty in filling up your 
collection ; at least, if you adhere to your determination of leaving us 
next week.” 
I sighed at the heavy thought of parting, but I knew it must be. 
It would be time enough, however, to grieve over that when the day 
