208 
THE FEEN PAEAD1SE. 
Lichen and moss line it with a mantle of green, and 
Fern-spores unbidden, but welcome, enter the 
grotto, germinate, and develope into green life. 
The clay washed down from the cavern sides, 
settling in its bottom, dams the egress of the water, 
and a tiny pool is formed. And thus, gentle 
reader, we have, by one of the simplest processes 
of Nature, a little paradise of moss and Ferns ! 
Have we digressed too much? We hope not, 
because we want to show how, by a simple and 
inexpensive arrangement, such little Fern caverns 
as we have described can be imitated in our 
houses. Let us suppose that it is desired to 
make such an area c well ’ as we have described 
in a previous chapter, into a Fern cavern. First of 
all communication should be established with the 
water-cistern, which will generally be found suffi¬ 
ciently high above the area level to afford the 
requisite pressure of water. The communicating 
pipe should be brought to the centre of the ‘ well ’ 
floor, and provided with a tap and spreader. 
Around its base a cluster of small rocks can be 
cemented. Upon the sides of the 6 well ’ and at 
the top more rockwork may be constructed, so as 
