DUBLIN NATUBAL UISTOBT SOCIETr. 43 



haying a deep tray of sine. Its measarements were three feet nine inohen long, 

 two feet six inches broad, and three feet three inches high, having a depth of tray 

 or receiver ten inches. ' Height in the case he considered of much importance 

 for the proper encouragement of growth. The line tray was placed on a strong 

 floor — the mass of plants were laid in soil, similar to that described, with charcoiu 

 throughout, having previously put, as before, the inverted flower-pots, with 

 the addition of cocoa-nut hu8ks, so as in every way to facilitate perfect drain- 

 age. It was of great importance to the healthy growth of the plants to prevent 

 any lodgment of moisture in the mould, or any tendency to the mould souring 

 from undue excess or retention of moisture. To avoid this, he had placed 

 around the case a vein of zinc, and by judiciously placing skeins of worsted, the 

 drainage was directed to a proper course, and the water easily carried off by 

 means of a stop-cock, which could be turned when necessary. Other most im- 

 portant measures were to regulate light and temperature. The case was placed 

 on a lobby where it received only a subdued light, with but partial rays of the 

 sun through the medium of green glass, and where the temperature was gene- 

 rally even throughout the year, for the plants would not bear any degree of heat 

 — moisture, an equable temperature, and a modulated light, were the essen- 

 tials for effective growth. It would appear, where Mr. Andrews had made the 

 discovery of such splendid plants in Kerry, that a shaded moist temperature 

 was the delight of this fern. The fronds in his (Mr. Call well's) case were not 

 80 largo or fine as the specimens found by Mr. Andrews, but his was a new 

 station in Iveragh, and those he collected were from Killarney. He should have 

 mentioned that, in forming the compost for the plants, he had raised a kind of 

 mound towards the centre of the case, that the plants might be better seen, and 

 now the entire case was filled and covered with the fronds. In the winter of 

 1849 he suspended from the roof of Ihe case a block of wood, and to this he 

 attached a plant, which had now crept over the wood with its rhizomata, 

 and was spreading its roots in all directions. Mr. Callwell said that he would 

 feel happy in showing his case to any of the members, or giving them any 

 further information of his system, and Mr. Andrews would now give them an 

 idea of the great beauty and peculiarity of the fern, by submitting the specimens 

 he had brought with him. 



Mr. Andrews then exhibited beautiful specimens of this fern from Iveragh 

 and Killarney, in Kerry; also specimens both of Trichomanes and Hymenophyl* 

 lum from the Isle of France, the East and West Indies, Hong-Kong, and South 

 America. He observed that the remarks of Mr. Callwell could not be but of in- 

 terest to those who delighted in their gardens and in the cultivation of plants, 

 and those described by Mr. Callwell would repay the care bestowed upon them. 

 Mr. CallwelTs treatment had been most successful: indeed, it might be said 

 that no one had so extensively cultivated this beautiful plant. An equable tem- 

 perature, moisture, and a kind of diurnal twilight, were the features best suited 

 to the health and vigorous luxuriance of the plant. They would bear extremes 

 of cold, provided the temperature was even or not subject to transition. Mr. 

 Callwell had, however, tried a most successful plan of growth in the addition of 

 charcoal. 'The use of peat charcoal had been most advantageously applied to the 

 culture of plants in several gardens in England, particularly in those tine gardens 

 of Bacton, in Devonshire, where, with JSew Holland plants, the success of peat 

 charcoal was astonishing. Charcoal, loam, heath-mould, with river sand and 

 good drainage, will succeed with most plants. The first notice of this beautiful 

 fern in Britain was at Bellbank, in Yorkshire, a barren specimen only being 

 found. It was quoted in Hudson's Flora Anglia as Trichomanes pyxidiferum of 

 Plumier. Dr. Mackay, however, finding plants at Killarney in fructification, 

 considered it distinct from the plant of Plumier, and it was figured in English 

 Botany by Sir J. E. Smith as Hymenophyllum alatum, from its winged stem: 

 Subsequently it was named Trichomanes brevisetum, which name it retained 

 until the discorery in 1842 in Iveragh, Kerry. The peculiar character of growth 



