- 
1900 SUPPLEMENT —RECENT INTRODUCTIONS, &c. 499 
Lomaria—continued. 
this mode of culture cannot possibly be applied with any 
chance of success. First, because, as soon as_ the 
temperature becomes too high, Thrips make their 
appearance; and, secondly, if water overhead is used at 
all, the texture of the foliage of most species is such that 
the fronds get spotted, and the whole plants in a very 
short time present a wretched appearance. As these 
remarks are applicable to nearly all the species, large 
and small alike, and as they are of the utmost importance 
Fic, 528. BARREN AND FERTILE FRONDS OF LoMaARIA 
Z BLECHNOIDES. 
for the successful management of this particular genns, 
they cannot possibly be too carefully observed. 
Besides some Japanese and Chilian species which are 
thoroughly hardy in many parts of England, there is 
L. Spicant, the only member of the genus having a 
claim to European origin. This is found in nearly all 
parts of Enrope—in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, &c. In 
this country it grows abundantly under hedges and in 
lanes, as well as in Ireland, especially in the counties of 
Clare and Wicklow; but the coldest habitat to which it 
is indigenous with us is the Cairngorm Mountain, in 
Aberdeenshire, where it is fonnd at an elevation of 
1200ft. 
With yery few exceptions, one kind of soil is snitable 
for all Lomarias. It should consist of about equal parts 
good fibrous loam, leaf-mould, and silver-sand. here 
leaf-monld is not easily procurable, an equal proportion 
of peat may be substituted, but leaf-mould is better. A 
few of the smallest-growing kinds, snch as DL. alpina, 
L. blechnoides (see Fig. 528), L. Germainii, and DL. lan- 
ceolata, are adapted for growing in Fern-cases, where, 
on account of their distinctly-shaped fronds, they con- 
trast in a pleasing manner with the more feathery as 
well as with the more massive kinds with which they 
are associated. Several species are also useful for room- 
decoration, and DL. gibba is very extensively raised for 
that purpose. The slower-growing, but very compact, 
L. ciliata and L. discolor nuda are also highly decora- 
tive. JL. ciliata and L. c. gigantea require to be kept in 
the drier part of the house, for if the slightest moisture 
be allowed to settle upon the fronds black streaks will 
appear, and the plants ultimately will decay. 
L. L’ Herminieri is a most attractive Fern, as its foliage 
when young is of a beantiful crimson colour, changirg | 
Lomaria—continued. 
with age toa dark glossy green. It is, unfortunately, not 
very common in collections, although now and then fine 
specimens may be seen in which seyeral shoots have 
started at different intervals from the side of the main 
trunk, and developed so as to form a four- or six-branched 
plant, which is then very decorative. Besides being one 
of the Lomarias most sensitive to moisture on the fronds, 
it is also one requiring peat and sand only to thrive 
well, as loam, unless very light and fibrous, is injurious 
to its roots. 
Although Lomarias will not bear being kept dry, yet 
they do not require so much water at the roots as do 
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Fic. 529, FERTILE AND BARREN FRONDS OF 
LOMARIA FLUYIATILIS. 
the majority of other Ferns. They should be potted 
somewhat loosely, for they dislike the soil being rammed 
hard. An excellent way of making use of them is to 
plant them in dead Tree-Fern stems. Remove the 
decayed or partly-decayed matter from the centre of the 
stems, and scoop them ont sufficiently to accommodate & 
solitary plant with a little mould round it, in order to 
give it a start; after that, keep the stem constantly 
moist, and the result will be that in a short time the 
roots. of the transplanted Lomaria will have taken 
