THE 
ROYAL, OR FLOWERING FERN, 
Osmunda regalis. — Linnaeus. 
“ At Loch Tyne dwelt the waterman, old Osmund. 
Fairest among maidens was the daughter of Osmund 
the waterman. Her light-brown hair and glowing 
cheek told of her Saxon origin, and her light steps 
bounded over the green turf like a young fawn in his 
native glades. Often in the stillness of a summer’s 
even, did the mother and the fair-haired child sit be¬ 
side the lake, to watch the dripping and the flashing 
of the father’s oars as he skimmed right merrily 
towards them over the deep blue waters. Sounds, as 
of hasty steps, were heard one day, and presently a 
company of fugitives told with breathless haste that 
the cruel Danes were making way towards the ferry, 
Osmund heard them with fear. Suddenly the shouts 
of furious men came remotely on the ear. The fugi¬ 
tives rushed on. Osmund stood for a moment; then 
snatching up his oars he rowed his trembling wife 
and fair child to a small island covered with the great 
Osmund Royal, and helping them to land, bade them 
to lie down beneath the tall Ferns. Scarcely had the 
