290 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
those at first starting from the root being shorter, 
and less prolific than those which succeed. They 
are somewhat irregularly divided into branches; 
the branches bearing fan-shaped leaflets, which 
have their edges notched. On the backs of these 
lobes or leaflets are the spore-cases. When these 
are shed, in the late summer or autumn, the 
Gymnogram dies. The spores then germinate, 
and the plants produced, attaining maturity in the 
following summer, again die, after producing in 
their turn the spores for the succeeding season. 
Jersey is the only habitat of the Annual 
Maidenhair. There it grows in moist hedge- 
banks. But, curiously enough, it has an anti¬ 
pathy to the shade of trees, although it likes, 
when growing in the open banks of the hedges, the 
shelter of dwarf vegetation; sometimes choosing 
to keep company with the moss which is to be 
found in such situations. In cultivation it should 
be grown in the greenhouse, or, if in the dwelling- 
house, under glass ; and the soil adapted for it is 
light sandy loam and leaf-mould. 
