42 THE FLORIST. 



suspect but few British botanists will be inclined to deny, considering 

 that the extreme states of many of our Ferns, exotic as well as British, 

 are so very different to the youn^ states of the same plants. I am 

 not, however, at present exactly disposed to assert that such is ac- 

 tually the case, as I have not yet had sufficient opportunity afforded 

 me to establish the fact. Notwithstanding, if we are led by analogy, 

 it is just possible that it may yet prove to be such, as undoubtedly 

 there is a wider difference between the same states in A. adiantum 

 nigrum, as will be seen by the remarks in my last article on that 

 plant. I have repeatedly detected A. lluta muraria in the south 

 of England approaching very closely upon our present subject, the 

 principal difference resting in the pinnules, which are rather wider 

 in A. Ruta muraria than in A. alternifolium : can that constitute a 

 specific difference ? 



To me this is rather an interesting plant, as I happened many 

 years ago to be located in the vicinity of its habitat, as given by Mr. 

 Dickson, on Tweed-side ; still I was never fortunate enough to detect 

 it, although I made many anxious attempts, in fact such as might 

 have been expected from a young and enthusiastic botanist in quest 

 of a stranger, for such it really was to me at that time and for very 

 many years afterwards. I am, however, of opinion, that the form was 

 seen near Kelso by Mr. Dickson, as it was several years afterwards 

 that I visited the spot ; besides it was nothing particular for me to 

 have overlooked it, as I have apparently done so with respect to 

 some of the other habitats lately given, and I have no doubt correctly, 

 for the same plant in Scotland ; and that it will be found in other 

 stations ere long is my firm conviction, as it is at times very difficult 

 to account for the various transitions in a plant from one form to 

 another ; and hence, in my oj)inion, the many unexpected and extra- 

 ordinary discoveries of late years in the way of new species and 

 varieties of British plants in general. 



In cultivation it requires the same treatment as its co-partner A. 

 Ruta muraria ; light sandy loam and peat suits it, either in a pot or 

 otherwise. I must, however, here remark, that some of our Ferns, 

 whose habitats are the crevices of rocks and old walls, submit but 

 very reluctantly to any state of cultivation, arising doubtless from the 

 difficulty experienced in making them adhere to the soil at first. In 

 this case it would be advisable to pot them, and retain them in the 

 pots until they are thoroughly well rooted before planting out, giving 

 them at the same time a well-sheltered roof on the fernery. 



A. Ruta muraria. This Fern is very plentiful in certain locali- 

 ties, but only in a few where really good specimens of it are to be 

 met with ; and as its favourite haunts appear to be the mortar of old 

 walls, it is not very likely that it will often be found in a very luxu- 

 riant state. I have often lost two-thirds of a given quantity before 

 I could establish it in a pot. As I had occasion to refer to this 

 plant in my remarks on the preceding, it is not necessary that I 

 should say more at present upon this subject. 



Foot's Cray. Robert Sim. 



