28 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
mass of delightful curling fronds, each one a yard 
long, when growing in a moist bed of leaf-mould in 
the dark recess of some hedge. 
Far out of our reach on the top of the high 
hedge-bank, are some noble specimens of the Male 
Fern (Lastrea filix-mas ), so called from its erect 
and robust manner of growth. From the crown, 
densely covered with rust-coloured scales, spring 
up a close circle of beautiful fronds, whose under 
surface is thickly covered with the scales which are 
so prominent a characteristic of this noble-looking 
fern. There it grows, perched shuttle-cock fashion 
on the top of the hedge, the points of its fronds 
gracefully turned outwards, its crown resting just 
above the surface of leaf-mould, into the depths of 
which its long fine roots are plunged. The whole 
plant rests under the cool shadow of the trees. For 
years this hedge-bank has evidently been left un- 
touched, and the annual crops of leaves falling from 
tree and bush, have piled up on it a rich mass of 
pure vegetable mould, in which the ferns delight to 
grow. 
In this same spot, and growing side by side with 
