beauty there are those who think that such forms as P. v. 

 Covnubiense tvicliomauoides will bear compariGon even with 

 the best Athyriums and Polystichums. While realising 

 their loveliness, I prefer to rest their claims to special 

 notice upon the characteristics already described — namely, 

 their methods of growth and their readiness to adapt them- 

 selves to situations impossible for other ferns. There are 

 two well-marked types, w^hich should be included in every 

 collection — P. v. camhviciuii and P. v. covmihiense, so called 

 because originally found in Wales and Cornwall respec- 

 tively. A third type — which characteristically, I suppose, 

 gives more trouble — is P. v. hihevniciim. Alany graceful 

 developments of this fine trio are in cultivation. All have 

 the supreme merit of being at their best in winter. Unlike 

 other ferns, they develop late, some not until x\ugust ; the 

 fronds have thus the full vigour of youth for resisting 

 winter storms. 



As I draw this paper to a close, I am not sanguine as to 

 the success of the second part of my undertaking. It was 

 comparatively easy to show that ferns could be made to 

 decorate unpromising sites ; it is a different matter to 

 convey in words an idea of fern loveliness. If, however, I 

 have succeeded so far as to arouse even curiosity, those 

 who read may be induced to visit the nursery of some 

 neighbouring specialist. Once they are there, all doubts 

 as to the superlative beauty of our native ferns will speedily 

 disappear. H. Kingsmill IMoore. 



THE COMMON BRACKEN. " 



(Pteris aquilina.) 

 The Common Bracken, owang to its very abundance, is 

 rarely regarded with as much attention as its beauty 

 deserves, for it is really one of the most beautiful native 

 ferns when growing under quite congenial conditions, where 

 sufficient shelter and shade permits its fronds to attain full 

 development. What can be more picturesque than a 

 woodland glade, beneath whose umbrageous foliage the 



