THE SPLEENWORTS. 
427 
you gaze intently into the stream, your cheeks are 
fanned by the brisk moorland breeze, which comes 
fresh laden with the sweet perfumes of wild 
flowers. But the breeze has stirred the tiny life 
which clings to the stony sides of the bridge; and 
your eyes are suddenly rivetted by waving tufts 
of purple and green—a mimic forest of Fern- 
fronds clothing the arches of stone and mortar. 
Examine the excpiisite arrangements of these 
beautiful fronds,—green gems on stalks like 
maiden’s hair. 0 bountiful Creator, to spread 
N . ^ , 
out such rich treasures as these ! to make the 
dry, hard stones live with their charming dress of 
glorious green ! 
Thousands of sights like these may be seen in 
the wild, rocky moorlands, on bridges which span 
the moorland streams. But much as it loves the 
wild home of Nature, and the damp rock in the 
moorland valley, the beautiful fronds of the 
Common Maidenhair Spleenwort may be seen even 
in the heart of towns,—for it will grow on houses 
and garden walls. Though a rock-loving Fern, 
it will also oftentimes grow with great luxuriance 
on the soft soil of a sloping hedge-bank. 
