BEECH FERN. 
93 
distinguished from the smaller specimens of Marsh 
Shield Fern, which it resembles. The sori are small, 
almost at the margins of the lobes. 
This fern delights in wild and mountainous dis¬ 
tricts, wet woods, and the vicinity of waterfalls. In 
the vicinity of the falls of Lodore, celebrated in song 
dy the poet Southey, this fern is to be seen glistening 
with drops of spray from the water, which there 
comes 
* 1 Dashing and flashing, and splashing and clashing, 
And so never ending, but always descending, 
Sounds and motions for ever and ever are blending, 
All at once and all o’er, with a mighty uproar,— 
And this way the water comes down at Lodore.” 
It is rather limited in its range, occurring, however, in 
England to the southward, westward, and northward ; 
but appears to be entirely absent from the large 
midland and eastern tract. In Scotland it is not 
uncommon, but is rarely found in Ireland. There is 
no authority for its specific name of Beech Fern, as it 
is not found to grow especially around or near that 
tree, nor is there any likeness in it to the foliage of 
the Beech tree. 
This is an elegant little species of fern, and grows 
freely, requiring but few conditions, excepting shade 
and freely-percolating moisture. It is well adapted 
for planting out on rock-work and old stumps of 
trees. 
