THE 



Mat, 1858. 





N a description of a Fern Case, which appeared in the 

 first number of the " Floral "World," the writer re- 

 marks on the increasing popularity of Ferns as an 

 evidence of a marked improvement in public taste, and 

 expresses a hope " that the day may not be far dis- 

 tant, when societies, designed expressly to encourage 

 the culture of Ferns, will be as successful, and their 

 shows as attractive, as are those devoted to other special 

 classes of subjects, as the Dahlia or Chrysanthemum, 

 (^ fci? r ^' for instance." It is gratifying to know that, not only is 



^ 4 fr the day not " far distant," but, nearly at hand, for a Society 

 has actually been formed, and has already commenced opera- 

 tions, and this present season, the first public demonstration in 

 vindication of the rights of the family of Filices may be confidently 

 hoped for. The Sister Island has the honour of inaugurating this move- 

 ment. Ireland is pre-eminently a land of Ferns. Its moist climate is 

 favourable to their groAvth, and its romantic scenery owes much of its 

 bewitching beauty to the manner in which waterfalls, caverns, cliffs, and 

 woodsides are adorned by the species found in such places. It is from 

 Ireland we obtain the rare Trichomanes radicans, which is found " attached 

 to dripping rocks, and the walls of caves, in shaded glens, and the vicinity 

 of waterfalls." The delicate Hymenophyllums are plentiful there in dis- 

 tricts suited to their growth. The grand Osmunda regalis, and Athyrium 

 Filix femina, which take the rank of King and Queen of the tribe, are 

 most abundant about the bogs and moist mountain dells ; and the rare 

 and curious Ceterach officinarum has a home in many a secluded spot, 

 and about the Shannon, and especially in Ballymahon thrives in unwonted 

 luxuriance. 



And not only is Ireland famous for its Ferns, but also for Fern growers. 

 Cork, Belfast, and Dublin have long been noted for excellent private col- 

 lections, and to mention Dr. Allman, Mr. Andrews, or Mr. Moore, would 

 be to open the way for a list of names that would occupy many pages of 

 this work. 



NO. v. — VOL. I. G 



