htaccess files and denying IP addresses.

I've used .htaccess files for denying IP's to certain directories for
several years.  If I want to globally deny the entire site, I've simply
placed the .htaccess file in the root directory, and it carries over into
other directories.

A curious thing is happening on my new server that I can't figure out.  I
don't have any htaccess files on the server except in the root directory.
As before, I expected the deny line to carry over to all subdirectories.
This time, however, it did not.  It only denies the IP from accessing pages
within that one folder.

Anyone have an explanation as to why?  Perhaps I'm not remembering this
correctly, but I thought htaccess files affect directories recursively below
it, unless those subdirectories have htaccess files of their own (which, in
my case, they do not).

Thanks,
Mike

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