THE FERN PARADISE. 
tongue, and, dropping out of gnarled and moss- 
covered tree trunks, the beautiful Common Poly- 
p°dy ! 
Now, for a moment, as we pass onwards, the 
arching bushes on each side close cover us, whilst 
grand Perns, of noble growth, spread their tops 
across from each side, and touch us as we brush 
between them. Passing with reluctance some 
glorious specimens of the Male Fern, the Lady 
Fern, and the Broad Buckler Fern, far grander 
in size and aspect in this their native home than 
they ever grew on artificial rock-work, we come 
upon a spot on our right where a host of ex- 
quisite fronds of the Soft Prickly Shield Fern 
clothe the hedge-bank, and compel us to stop 
and admire them. The colouring of this species 
is extremely rich, when the plants are vigorous 
and finely grown. From the base of the frond to 
the apex along the principal midrib, and from the 
bases to the apices of the pinnules, run rust- 
coloured scales, which strikingly contrast with 
the fine green of the whole frond. Then the 
minute and regular subdivisions of the angular- 
ZD C? 
shaped pinnules render this Fern one of the most 
140 
