THE ALPINE OB DELTOID WOODSIA. 



in the larger ones ; the upper ones more closely placed ; all semi-patent or nearly horizontal. Lobee five 

 to seven, roundish obovate, largest at (lie base, the lowermost sometimes divided nearly to the midvein, 

 the upper ones more continent, and the apOJC, in the most vigorous specimens, notched so as to indicate 

 an additional pair of lobes ; the margins entire or obscurely crcnate, famished with a few scattered 

 tubular jointed hairs, and hair-scales, others occurring here and there, on both the upper and the under 

 surface. 



Venation of the lobes consisting of a floxuoee indistinct midvein. which is alternately branched ; 

 the branches or mns are forked, rarely more than once, the upper ones undivided ; 1>oth veins and 

 tWtufa* terminate within the margin in a slightly thickened point The anterior venules of the forked 

 veins, and some or all of the simple ones, bear sori. 



/■ / unification on the back of the frond produced on all parts of the frond, but somewhat more 

 copiously in the upper part, the sori situated below the apox of the venules, hence medial, and often at 

 length confluent over the lobes, Sori circular, seated within, that is above, a small membranaceous scale 

 whoso margin is fringed with jointed hairs which curve inwards involving the spore-cases; hence they 

 are mvolucrntc. Spore-cast* round ish-obvatc. Sports brown, round or roundish-oblong, the surface 

 granulated or tuberculatc. 



Duration, Thccaudex is perennial. The fronds arc annual, growing up in spring and perishing 

 late in autumn. 



The description above given of this very rare species has been drawn up from a series of remarkably 

 line specimens, collected on the IJreadallwuic mountains in Perthshire, by Mr. J* T. Syme. No species, 

 one would think, need be more distinct than this is from HWwi itvmtb, from which the oyo once 

 acquainted with it, readily dissociates it It is a smaller, narrower, and smoother-looking plant than 

 that species; and though under the excitement of the artificial conditions imposed on it in a state of 

 culture, it does sometimes seem to acquire greater breadth and leafinessy so to speak, than is observable 

 in the wild specimens, yet the proportion and general features of the plant remain unchanged. It is 

 much more like the IP. ytabelUt, a native of North-West America, but that is still more narrow and 

 slender. 



Our own experience of the cultivation of the II Wrote* is given in the Handbook </ British Fern* 



(p. 70) from which we quote the following : — 



"The Woodtia* are best cultivated in moderate-sized well-drained pots, kept in a cold frame, facing 

 the north during the summer-season, and should not be kept constantly closed up. Thoy are very 

 impatient of sunshine and stagnant moisture. The crown of the plants may in potting be advantageously 

 elevated a little between two or three small pieces of sandstone. They must not be kept too damp, 

 especially during winter. A shady shelf in a cool greenhouse where there is a free circulation of air. 

 or a dryish cold frame, are good situations in which to preserve them during the dormant season. 

 When it becomes necessary to divide the tufts, which is the most ready means of propagation, it should 

 be done very carefully in spring about the time they commence their seasonal growth. In 

 obtaining plants from their wild habitats for the purpose of cultivation, as with most other of the rare 

 Kerns, it is found that small plants arc much more successfully transplanted than the larger ami 

 older masses" 



Mr. Newman recommends (Kitting with thin pieces of porous stone placed vertically as high as the 

 pot, the roots to be carefully arranged among the central pieces, and then covered with a finely-sifted 

 mixture of decayed leaf-mould, silver sand, and peat used nearly dry, shaken down and watered, the 

 process being repeated, if necessary, until the interstices are frilcd up. We should prefer to use a 

 mixture of pure light loam and sand between the stones, as being more evenly retentive of moisture, 

 and this coincides with the experience of Mr. Wollaston. Mr. Backhouse hints that the less repotting 

 or disturlwincc at the root they arc subjected to, after being once planted, the better. 



