the finest plants are found in moist, shady hedge-banks, the 
same result may be expected, if due regard be paid to the 
course which nature points out. If placed in rich soil in a 
greenhouse, varieties will be produced, and the plant will 
depart from its ordinary form. 
Family IV. Maidenwoets. Adiantece. 
Covers linear, either parallel to the edge of the leaflets 
or apparently formed by their bent-back edges. This family 
contains the true Maidenhair, Adiantum capillus Veneris, 
which is not one of the Ferns of the Axe. 
Genus I. 
Hard Ferns. JBlechna. The covers are parallel to the 
edge of the leaflets. The bags of spores lie in a long straight 
line between the mid-rib or mid-vein, and a vein somewhat 
parallel to the mid-vein. This vein is connected with the 
mid- vein by transverse lines. This genus is distinguished 
from the rest of the family, in not having the edge of the 
leaflet bent back when fructification is formed. Thirty-one 
species of this genus have been discovered, though we have 
only one in Great Britain. 
“ Oh, mickle is the powerful grace, that lies 
In plants, herbs, stones and their true qualities : 
Nor nought so vile, that on the earth doth live. 
But to the earth some special good doth give : 
Nor aught so good, but strained from that fair use 
Eevolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse.” 
Shakespeare . — Romeo and Juliet. 
Plate I, fig. 18. 
Northern Hard Fern. BlecJinum JBoreale, This plant has 
both a barren and a fruit-bearing frond. It prefers the 
north side of hills, and hence the name. It appears to the 
eye much like a two-edged comb, the teeth of which are 
much wider and coarser in the barren than the fertile frond. 
The teeth also instead of being uniform in width, taper at 
