56 
THE HEATH FERN. 
turned back upon the sori. Each lobe has a distinct 
and slightly wavy midvein, alternately branched, the 
branches simple or divided, with the sori near their 
extremities. The indusia are small and soon perish 
or fall away, sometimes seem to be altogether wanting ; 
but the plant is too closely allied to other species of 
the genus to allow of its separation on this account. 
It grows in damp woody places, especially luxuriating 
by the sides of shady becks and waterfalls ; but is 
much more profusely met with on heathy mountain 
sides. It is the common fern of many parts of the 
Scottish Highlands, growing sometimes at an elevation 
of 3,000 feet ; abounds in the English Lake Country, 
and in Wales ; and is more or less plentiful in waste 
districts throughout England. It is also found in 
many other parts of Europe, and has been reported 
from North America, but Moore says this requires 
confirmation. Though so common, it has been con- 
sidered difficult of cultivation, requiring the pure air 
and ready drainage of its native mountains. It is 
true, like most other ferns, it will not thrive in a 
smoke-poisoned atmosphere, but recent experience 
has proved that where the air is moderately pure, few 
ferns are more easy of cultivation, or require less 
attention. It does not, as has been supposed, require 
an abundance of w&ter ; it is true it will live under 
conditions of moisture that would be considered an 
excess for other ferns, but this seems to be entirely 
owing to the hardiness of its constitution : it will 
thrive admirably in a proper compost, if treated, in 
respect to water, the same as other dry land ferns. 
