THE LADY FERN. 
141 
covering branches keep in the shadow and 
keep out the sun, there will you find the 
Lady Fern perched, its droopingly-delicate and 
lace-like fronds quivering in response to the 
touch of the thousand tiny water-drops which, 
flung by the dashing water, fall over it each 
moment. Sometimes, but rarely, when streams 
are not near, this exquisite fern may be found 
growing on open hedge-banks ; but these are 
not its favourite or its natural habitats ; and 
when by chance it may be growing there, it 
will be found to have lost half of its natural 
grace and delicacy. In the deepest shade of 
the wood, on moss-covered soil, through which 
pure water unceasingly percolates, causing heavy 
moisture to pervade the air ; or at the foot of 
a shady bank, over which trickles a tiny stream 
from the level above it ; or perchance perched 
in the dark cleft formed by the overhanging 
rock of a waterfall, will you find the Lady 
Fern developed to its grandest proportions, 
and assuming its most graceful and beautiful 
aspect. 
