1873] NOTES ON TODEAS. 131 



its roots ; but it will speedily sliow signs of weakness if the compost 

 turns sour through bad drainage or a superabundance of stagnant 

 moisture. When grown in pots in a case, provision should be made 

 for plunging the pots, common sand being a good material for this pur- 

 pose. The surface may be planted with Selaginella after the plants 

 are arranged, or a layer of living Sphagnum may be spread between the 

 pots, which will not only add to the neatness of the whole, but also 

 greatly assist in maintaining an equable state of heat and moisture 

 at tiieir roots — a very important point in the culture of these delicate 

 plants. The plant is freely propagated from spores, which are borne 

 in profusion by well-established specimens ; and I have now several 

 dozens of nice little plants pricked out, that have come up promiscu- 

 ously on the pot-tops. 



Todea ijellucida is another nice feathery species of this genus, that 

 does well treated like the preceding. Its fronds are longer, and not 

 so finely cut ; but good healthy plants are very ornamental, either 

 grown in cases or bell-glasses. Planted out in cool ferneries in the 

 natural style, it soon makes itself at home. 



Todea Wllkesiana may be considered: one of the rarest, and at the 

 same time one of the daintiest, of Tree-ferns. It has a cauclex varying 

 in height from 1 to 2 feet, and fronds something resembling those 

 of the last-mentioned, species. It grows well in a glass case in the 

 tropical fernery, but is not yet in general cultivation. Messrs Veitch 

 & Sons, Chelsea, have a fine specimen of this beautiful species in 

 their collection. 



Todea {africana) harhara. — This is very distinct in its appearance, 

 when compared, with the semi-pellucid delicacy of the preceding species. 

 It has a large irregular trunk or caudex, and fine imported specimens 

 weigh from 10 to 20 cwt. each. The noble specimen in the large 

 temperate conservatory or winter-garden at Kew weighed 15 cwt. 

 and is one of the finest specimens in this country. 



The black massive caudex bears numerous crowns of leathery fronds 

 which are decidedly opaque, and vary in length from 2 to 6 feet. 

 Good specimen plants form noble objects for the natural fernery or 

 conservatory. It has a robust constitution, when compared with 

 those of its diaphanous congeners. Imported trunks root freely in a 

 compost of neat fibrous loam and sandstone. When thoroughly estab- 

 lished it requires but little attention, while its distinctive appearance 

 cannot well be supplied by any other plant in cultivation, up to the 

 present time. 



F. W. B. 



