CHAPTER II. 
CONDITIONS OF GROWTH. 
There is a wonderful adaptation of means to an end in the 
circumstances under which the germination and development 
of Fern spores take place. The same conditions of growth 
must exist for the germ as for the mature plant — Nature 
having wisely ordered that the spore shall be of such a con- 
struction that it cannot survive the influence of conditions 
which would be fatal to the full grown Fern. 
The conditions essential to the growth of both spore and 
mature Fern are, generally, moisture, warmth, and shade. 
Unlike the gayer inhabitants of the vegetable kingdom, Ferns 
mostly avoid the sunshine and hide in shadow and misty 
gloom. In such positions it is that they delight to revel, 
and though their fronds may sometimes perchance play with 
the sunbeams, they must have moist crevices for their roots. 
These cannot indeed survive even the temporary absence of 
moisture, for in such circumstances they shrivel and die. 
We have seen that Fern spores are almost infinitesimal 
atoms, countless myriads of which when blown from the 
frond having but the appearance of a tiny cloud of brownish 
dust. So light are these minute germs that they are readily 
borne away by the faintest breath of wind. When dispersed 
from the receptacles in which they have lain ensconced, vast 
numbers of them undoubtedly perish through falling upon 
uncongenial soil, or upon “ stony places,” unprovided with 
crevices moist enough to shelter and nourish the delicate life 
