^3^ 



master can be called in as " first aids." It will be found 

 that the names are as a rule very appropriate, e.g. scopcB, 

 acrocladon, corynihiferum, Polyst. aculeaUim gracillimum, is, 

 notwithstanding all that has been written contrariwise, very 

 applicable to INIr. Druery's latest and best. 



It may not be out of place if I say what Gloucestershire 

 can do in the way of ferns. 



Two years ago my friend, the Rev. S. Hillard, now of 

 Bedford, shewed me a frond of Aspleniujii fonfanum which he 

 had just found growing wild in Chalford, near Stroud. The 

 plant is still there, so far as he and I are concerned, but 

 alas ! we cannot find it. 



ScoL spivak was found at Nailsworth, and crispiim 

 Cowhiirnii at Chepstow, which is just in and out of 

 Gloucestershire. 



Polypodiiun calcareum grows freely on rubbly hillsides ; but 

 the hawker, wretched man, is doing his utmost to destroy 

 it root and branch. 



Gloucestershire will always rank high among the 

 counties because of Colonel Jones' collection at the Clifton 

 Gardens. They have already been described by Mr. 

 Cranfield in the " Gazette." He remarked on the absence 

 of certain varieties. All lime-loving ferns are there, with 

 one very remarkable exception, there are no polypods — 

 they were there in variety and abundance, but they all passed 

 away — and if ferns cannot, or will not grow under the skill 

 and care of Mr. Harris, Dr. Stansfield might safely include 

 them among those cited in his article on " The Culture of 

 some difficult British Ferns." Polypods do grow all over 

 the county, yet only in a timid and half-hearted fashion. 



Ferns have other and stately homes in our Western 

 shire, wherein they make a noble show, long to be 

 remembered. My friend, I\Ir. S. S. Mailing, of Stanley 

 Park, Stroud, has already a splendid collection, though 

 yet young in years. They revel in their ideal surroundings, 

 sheltered by the trees and nourished by the moisture from 

 the lake. 



