the
steadily increasing admiration of Ferns has caused collectors to send
them from all parts of the world, so that in 1866 Mr. Smith was enabled
to describe about a thousand species, and now the number must be much
larger; and the closer search for Ferns has further brought into notice
a very large number of most curious varieties and monstrosities, which
it is still more curious to observe are, with very few exceptions,
confined to the British species.

FOOTNOTES:

[91:1] See Brown's "Religio Medici," p. ii. 2.

[92:1] It probably was the real belief, as we find it so often mentioned
as a positive fact; thus Browne--

"Poor silly fool! thou striv'st in vain to know
If I enjoy or love where thou lov'st so;
Since my affection ever secret tried
Blooms like the Fern, and seeds still unespied."

_Poems_, p. 26 (Sir E. Brydges' edit. 1815).

FIGS.

(1) _Titania._

Feed him with Apricocks and Dewberries,
With purple Grapes, green Figs, and Mulberries.

_Midsummer Night's Dream_, act iii, sc. 1 (169).

(2) _Constance._

And its grandam will
Give it a Plum, a Cherry, and a Fig.

_King John_, act ii, sc. 1 (161).

(3) _Guard._

Here is a rural fellow
That will not be denied your Highness's presence,
He brings you Figs.

_Antony and Cleopatra_, act v, sc. 2 (233).

(4) _1st Guard._

A simple countryman that brought her Figs.

_Ibid._ (342).

_Ditto._

These Fig-leaves
Have slime upon them.

_Ibid._, act v, sc. 2 (354).

(5) _Pistol._

When Pistol lies, do this; and Fig me, like
The bragging Spaniard.

_2nd Henry IV_, act v, sc. 3 (123).

(6) _Pistol._

Die and be damned, and Figo for thy friendship.

_Fluellen._

It is well.

_Pistol._

The Fig of Spain.

_Henry V_, act iii, sc. 6 (60).

(7) _Pistol._

The Figo for thee, then.

_Ibid._, act iv, sc. 1 (60).

(8) _Iago._

Virtue! a Fig!

_Othello_, act i, sc. 3 (322).

(9) _Iag