THE OSTRICH FERN-IN HOEEIS. 97 
shaft in both directions, in order that the mine may work 
a number of veins at once. 
The strippings at Tattimer are very extensive and cover 
hundreds of acres. The slopes here are steeper than at 
the Tehigh mine, as there is a greater dip of rock, but the 
lower vein is not so deep, so that the shafts are compara¬ 
tively shallow. 
The stripped rock at Tattimer shows large concretions 
of pyrite, called “man-killers” by the miners, because 
they often drop unexpectedly in excavating and cause 
death. 
There is little or no trouble from “ fire damp ” at Hazle¬ 
ton, but more at Wilkesbarre, as those mines are older and 
deeper, some of the shafts being 1200 feet deep. Kerosene 
is too dangerous and smoky to be used in the miners’ 
lamps, and sperm oil is used instead. When a fire is 
started in these mines it is very difficult to extinguish it, 
and the burning may go on fiercely for years. The heat 
and steam open fissures in the earth, which serve as chim¬ 
neys, and the fire supplies its own draught. 
Surely, a piece of coal is a wonderful thing, and all 
forces have combined to make it what it is and to place it 
in our hands. 
The Ostrich Fern in Hollis. 
Editor of ‘‘Nature Study.' 1 
A few days ago, while reading up numbers of Nature 
Study in the Pepperell library, I found the Ostrich P A ern 
mentioned and a desire expressed for information as to 
where it could be found. I have been looking for it for 
some time, and at last have found one small bunch on our 
land. 
While visiting in Northboro, Mass., in July, I was told 
