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THE FERN PARADISE. 
two or three inches in length, and often assuming 
a yellowish colour from constant exposure. But 
the favourite haunts of the Hartstongue are the 
depths of cool woods ; the tops of hedge-banks, 
where clustering foliage shuts out the sun and 
keeps in the moisture ; damp hedge-sides, where 
perchance an eternal moisture is produced by 
percolating water ; and the moist and dripping 
sides of wells. In such places its shining fronds 
grow to their finest dimensions. In the damp 
and shady clefts of rocks, too, the Hartstongue 
loves to grow. Clothing cavern walls and drop- 
ping from cavern roofs, it may also be seen in great 
abundance. Oftentimes splendid specimens of this 
simple and beautiful fern may be seen on the 
moist sides of parapet-walls, that overhang some 
brook or river; and in such situations it bends 
its green and shining tops downwards, until they 
kiss the sparkling, eddying current below them. 
There they revel in the spray and vapour which 
surround them, waving their lovely tufts in the 
wind. 
The Hartstongue becomes a delightful occupant 
