THE FERN PARADISE. 
spot where tlie substance of the bog was more than 
usually liquid. Here we found Thelypteris growing 
in great abundance, the creeping rhizomas im- 
mersed in the black bog- water, above which the 
delicate light-green fronds were beautifully waving. 
The scene at this spot was singularly wild and 
beautiful. Above us, the leafy canopy of the wood ; 
beneath, the dark bog, its surface exquisitely 
diversified by the delightful fronds of Thelypteris ; 
around on mossy clumps, great masses of sedge- 
grass, charmingly green in colour, and pictu- 
resquely dotted about. From out the mossy 
mounds peeped pretty specimens of Blechnum 
spicant ; and, scattered here and there, were some 
plants of the rarer Lastrea spinulosa. 
The Marsh Buckler Fern has a thin, but exten- 
sively creeping rhizoma, from all parts of which 
spring the fronds. The rhizomas rejoice in the 
almost liquid peaty soil of the bog, the soft pulpy 
nature of which encourages the travelling propen- 
sities of the roots. Few Ferns like to be sodden 
in this manner at their roots like Thelypteris. In 
•cultivation the nearest approach to the natural 
conditions which have been described must be 
360 
