OCTOBER. 253 



preceding, with which it was, some years ago, associated. There is 

 besides a considerable difference in general habit. 



1. W. Ilvensis. This may truly be said to be a rare British 

 Fern ; and to all appearance it is very likely to remain so, as I am 

 given to understand that in some of the few known habitats it is now 

 all but eradicated. Yet the plant is by no means so difficult to culti- 

 vate as some of the other small species of British Ferns. If intended 

 for the fernery, it must be strong before it is turned out of its pot, 

 when it will require peat, loam, and sand in equal quantities ; in ad- 

 dition to which it should have a well- sheltered and shady corner, 

 where slugs are not much in the habit of frequenting, as they are 

 one of the greatest enemies to the fronds in their young state. 



I can well remember, some thirty years ago, when I had a plant 

 forwarded to me from Scotland by my old and worthy friend Mr. S. 

 Murray, of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Glasgow, but which was, I 

 have no doubt, the following, Woodsia hyperborea. I cultivated this 

 plant for many years in a sheltered corner or nook, among some large 

 flints, overhung by some of the larger kinds of British Ferns, which 

 proved both excellent shade and shelter for it. Here the plant in 

 question luxuriated for many years without being disturbed in the 

 way of propagation ; neither had I then quite so much need for that 

 kind of practice as has fallen to my lot since, — at least so far as the 

 present plant and the W. hyperborea are concerned. But this I hold 

 to be applicable to many of the other native Ferns, as well as the two 

 Woodsias ; as, in fact, daily experience teaches us that many of our 

 rarer kinds of British Ferns are totally destroyed by over-anxiety to 

 increase their numbers. Even W. Ilvensis will send forth plants or 

 offsets from its roots, which, if allowed to remain, will soon form a 

 tuft or strong plant ; but if repeatedly taken away, the operation will 

 doubtless ultimately destroy the original plant. 



2. W. HYPERBOREA. This rcquircs similar treatment to the last 

 species, from which, however, it can scarcely be considered specifi- 

 cally distinct; for if we take into consideration the less degree of 

 hairiness and more obtuse form of the pinnae — and these characters 

 not always very constant — we shall be a httle disposed to hesitate 

 before we pronounce them distinct species ; at all events, I confess 

 that I have often been at a loss to detect them in certain stages of 

 their growth, more especially so far as hairs or scales are concerned. 

 May not the different forms be traced to soil and situation, as I have 

 at times supposed my English plants to differ from my Scotch ones } 



Nursery, Foots-Cray. Robert Sim. 



ON PELARGONIUMS FOR EXHIBITION. 



Rapid has been the improvement in form and colouring of this my 

 favourite flower the last few years ; but to judge from the varieties 

 exhibited through the past season at the principal London shows, the 

 march of improvement has been at a stand-still with regard to 



