The field, the garden and the woodland, or, Interesting facts respecting flowers and plants in general . eral aspect the tree ferns considerablyresemble the palms. Their stems are generallyblack, as if burnt by the heat of the sun; theirleaves of a bright and delicate green, beautifullycrisped at the edge. It has been observed of theferns, that they principally delight in inland situa-tions : few, comparatively, are found in the interiorof large continents, owing perhaps to the want ofa due portion of moisture. They abound amongstthe dripping springs that ooze from the cre-vices of rocks; and
The field, the garden and the woodland, or, Interesting facts respecting flowers and plants in general . eral aspect the tree ferns considerablyresemble the palms. Their stems are generallyblack, as if burnt by the heat of the sun; theirleaves of a bright and delicate green, beautifullycrisped at the edge. It has been observed of theferns, that they principally delight in inland situa-tions : few, comparatively, are found in the interiorof large continents, owing perhaps to the want ofa due portion of moisture. They abound amongstthe dripping springs that ooze from the cre-vices of rocks; and some species of exquisitebeauty are found lining the sides and roof of thelittle caverns which contain the sources of naturalfountains. Ferns are very numerous in Jamaica,in New Zealand, in Otaheite, and in St. this last island they constitute a large proportionof the whole number of native plants. The Pteris excelsa, a very beautiful fern ofthe Sandwich Islands, is, in its tender and delicateparts, accounted a great luxury by the natives,who eat it without any preparation. TREE FERNS. 119. Tree Fern. 120 PLANTS OF AFRICA. Tree ferns are peculiar to the tropics; thesmaller ferns are, however, found in the tem-perate zones, and some few grow in the countriesbordering the arctic circle. A fern which you wellknow, the common pteris or brake, often coversour heath ground, affording a favourite resting-place to the tired deer. In the cherry countiesthe large leaves are much used in packing cherriesto be sent to a distance, and it is of service in thepreparation of some kinds of leather. The character of the soil of Africa, consisting ofa great quantity of sand, gives its peculiarity tothe vegetation of that country. In the countrieslying in the torrid zone, however, many plants arevery similar. In all tropical countries the differentspecies of palm appear; the plantain gives itswelcome shade; the tamarind tree and the lightand elegant Tree-fern may be found; while, addedto
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