Long after the sexuality of flowering plants was recognised, the reproduction of ferns remained a mystery. It was believed, Robbin told me, that ferns had seeds—how else could they reproduce?—but since no-one could see these, they assumed an odd and almost magical status. Invisible themselves, they were thought to confer invisibility on others: "We have receipt of fern-seed, we walk invisible," says one of Falstaff's henchmen in
Oaxaca Journal, Oliver Sacks
Oaxaca Journal, Oliver Sacks
Oaxaca Journal, Oliver Sacks
Long after the sexuality of flowering plants was recognised, the reproduction of ferns remained a mystery. It was believed, Robbin told me, that ferns had seeds—how else could they reproduce?—but since no-one could see these, they assumed an odd and almost magical status. Invisible themselves, they were thought to confer invisibility on others: "We have receipt of fern-seed, we walk invisible," says one of Falstaff's henchmen in