DISTRIBUTION 
35 
stance, which by degrees acquires increased consistency and 
becomes an islet. Amongst the earliest of vegetable inha- 
bitants are the mosses and lichens, and then the domain is 
appropriated as another portion of the Fern world by the 
appearance of some representative of the moisture-loving 
family. 
Again, the face of the country may he traversed by gentle 
risings of the ground, and intersected by hedge-banks 
dividing the domains of pasture, or corn land, and skirting 
a network of roads and lanes. If the soil be rich, and the 
roadways narrow, the banks of earth or loosely-built stone 
may be crowned by stately shrubs or trees, whose branches 
cross the way between and meet each other. Then upon the 
hedge-top, or on the hedge-bank, leaf-mould gathers, and 
ferny forms assemble and greet the passer-by. 
Let it be remembered, however, that the various members 
of this beautiful family of plants have varying predilections 
in the matter of soil and position. Some seek the drenching 
moisture of the waterfall, or the dripping walls of sea-caves. 
Others can live and thrive in the moderate moisture of sloping- 
banks under the shelter of shrubs, or trees, whilst others 
still will grow on the open surface of an undulating plain. 
But, with few exceptions, Ferns mostly love to be elevated, 
even if but slightly, above level surfaces. It is percolating 
moisture which they love— moisture which does not rest 
about their roots, but passes away immediately into the soil 
below. And there is a beautiful consistency in the love of 
these plants for sloping banks and jutting knolls, for only 
in such positions can they show to advantage their graceful 
and beautiful forms. 
D 
