10 
RAMBLES IN SEARCH OF FERNS. 
mon Polypody for the crumbling rock or stump, this brittle Oak fern 
for the deep shade, this small delicate Gymnogramma for the moist, 
warm climate ! Surely in contemplating this, as well as any other 
part of God’s creation, we cannot but feel our hearts glow and our 
souls respond to the words of inspiration — “ And God saw all that He 
had made, and, behold, it was very good.” 
Poets in praising flowers never weary, 
Their dazzling colours and their varied hues; 
But green to my eyes chiefly is refreshing, 
So to the ferns I’U dedicate my muse. 
Fair feathery forms with stately palm trees vying, 
Or graceful willows weeping o'er the dead ; 
In waving tufts or tiny forests growing, 
Or forming crowns to grace Queen Nature's head. 
The old grey stone smiles in fresh spring-like beauty, 
Maiden-hair trembling in its aged clefts ; 
The Polypody clings with filial duty, 
And scatters verdure o’er the old oak's refts. 
Pure and refreshing are the thoughts up-springing, 
With the rich ferns which cluster in our way; 
“ God loves us all,” is their unchanging motto, 
And “ We must help each other day by day." 
