96 Lucas, Ferns Grown in the Open. \yo\'^x\\v\ 



fronds, but I managed to keep it by growing in the same bed 

 plants of Isotoma axillaris (from seed). These spread with a 

 light but abundant fohage over the ferns, which they echpsed 

 for a while, and replaced them with a profusion of large flowers 

 — to my surprise, quite white. I suppose the shade and un- 

 expected good ground are responsible for this. 



The mosses and liverworts, in general, survived. Each day 

 they shrivelled up, and each evening, after watering, they 

 were fresh and green again. Amongst them were Dawsonia 

 and Hypnodendron and several whose names I am ignorant 

 of. Marchantia made beautiful little carpets in the spring and 

 early summer, showing all the organs of reproduction, in some 

 cases gemmae and the male and female umbrellas all appearing 

 together on the same plant. The summer has withered off 

 the connections and left centres of live thallia for this year's 

 growth. Fimbriana is now forming healthy green carpets. 



Summing up, it seems that almost all the terrestrial ferns 

 can survive a severe summer if they are carefully supplied with 

 water and are sheltered from hot winds. The rhizomes, at 

 least, carry on in spite of the heat and dry atmosphere. The 

 ferns which live in water spray, or clamber by thin, not woolly, 

 rhizomes on the face of rocks which are constantly wet, are 

 exceedingly difficult to preserve in health. 1 think some sort 

 of fountain might serve to give the continual drip, but the 

 plants would have to be kept entirely in the shade. 



" In Australian Wilds." — Such is the title of a new 

 volume of natural history gleanings by Mr. Charles Barrett, 

 C.M.Z.S., for which nature-lovers will be glad to find a place 

 on their bookshelves. In it the author tells his experiences 

 when searching for nature notes in out-of-the-way places 

 throughout Australia, and, though relating principally to 

 birds, there are enough references to other branches of natural 

 history to hold the interest of the general reader. The chapters 

 deal with various types of country, such as the wooded Olinda 

 Valley, near Lilydale (Vic), the MaUee, the dry area of Eyre's 

 Peninsula (S.A.), the palm scrubs of the Richmond River 

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 that the great variety of Australian life is well contrasted. 

 The letterpress is not burdened with scientific names, but it is 

 well supplied with illustrations — more than loo in all — most 

 of them from photographs by the author, several having been 

 taken at a considerable expenditure of time and patience — 

 witness the successful snapping of the Coachwhip-Bird after 

 three hours' waiting. The volume is well printed, and is a 

 credit to all concerned in its production. 



