J34 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
greenness and vigour throughout the winter. The 
description of this beautiful fern cannot puzzle 
even the merest tyro in fern lore. A tufted root- 
stock, its crown elevated slightly above the ground 
level. Beneath, long fibrous roots, finding their 
way into the soil, or — when growing in rocky 
places, or amidst old ruins — into the moist inter- 
stices between the masonry. Above, from the 
crown, tufts of delightful green, leathery-textured 
fronds, erect and bold in habit when growing in 
exposed situations ; gracefully drooping when in 
the dark, damp recesses of a shady retreat. In 
length from an inch to a yard, sometimes even 
more, according to circumstances and surround- 
ings. A stem usually one-third the length of the 
entire frond — stem and leafy portion included. 
From the point of the stem commences the leafy 
section of the frond, which is hollowed at its 
lower part, heart-fashion ; so that from the point 
where the stem (stipes) ends and the midrib of 
the frond proper begins, the latter hangs down 
on each side in the manner of two little ears. The 
frond proper is tongue-shaped — hence doubtless 
