THE ROYAL FERN. 
i5 5 
by the impatient stream, to be released the next 
and to fling a shower of silver drops around 
them. 
Who could resist the temptation to carry 
away a tiny bit of this river and woodland 
scenery, by impounding yon jutting clump of 
fern-roots, Osmunda, Hard Fern, and Mountain 
Buckler Fern ? There is here enough and to 
spare, and nature, in its rich profusion, can well 
afford us the pleasure which we derive from the 
possession and transplantation of some of our 
favourites. Nature asks no questions, demands 
no penalties for our spoliation, but freely gives 
us up these wild and beautiful plants. 
We have them still. Taken from the dewy 
moorlands, they nevertheless spread out still 
their characteristic loveliness in our fern garden, 
although imprisoned within city walls ; and we 
never look at them without experiencing a keen 
sense of pleasure, as we recall all the circum- 
stances of our wild ramble in search of them. 
