OBSERVATIONS OTON, AND CULTURE OF, FERNS. 293 



flower; some of the blooms were thin and the petals irregularly disposed ; still it 

 will prove an useful kind. 



Captain Warner (Girling). Crimson; the character of the flower is after 

 Beeswing, but the centre is not sufficiently elevated, and the outline appears 

 generally imperfect. 



Queen Mary (Edwards). A second-rate white, thin and deficient in the. 

 centre, but may be useful. 



CLASS IX. 

 Seedlings of 1845 : open to all. 



Certificate of Merit. — Demosthenes ; Mr. Maher, Anthom-hill. 



Certificate of Merit. — Lady of the Lake ; Mr. Keynes. Milky-white, with a 

 tinge of pink to the margin ; the size is good and the character promising. 



Certificate if Merit. — Model of Perfection; Mr. Sparry. Rich rid colour, 

 excellent petal, and appears very likely to be a real good kind, but the specimen 

 exhibited was an over-blown one. 



Certificate of Merit. — MissBevan; Mr. Bevan, Shacklewell. Blush, of good 

 character. 



Certificate of Merit. — Goldfinch ; Mr. Wicks, Chelmsford. Deep straw-colour, 

 mottled on the margin with light crimson, and has a novel appearance, though 

 it will never make a good show flower. 



Certificate of Merit. — Beauty of the Vale ; Mr. Hunt. Lilac; poor, and un- 

 likely to lie seen in a show a;_ r ain. 



Certificate of Merit. — Joan of Arc ; Mr. Oakley. White, with small pencils of 

 pink down each petal ; the centre well up, and one of the most promising 

 flowers. 



Certificate of 3Ierit. — Beauty of Alresford; Mr. Burgess. 



A certificate was also given to Mr. Hoare for a seedling not named, and some 

 others were shown, but not deserving particular notice. 



ARTICLE III. 



OBSERVATIONS UPON, AND CULTURE OF, FERNS. 



BY CLEKICUS. 



For twenty years I have been most assiduously endeavouring to col- 

 lect and cultivate every species and variety of Fern I could obtain, 

 whether hardy or such as require protection in this country; and 

 after so much practical experience with such a very interesting and 

 elegant tribe of plants, I am induced to forward some observations 

 thereon, in order to induce a more general cultivation of them. 



I have above stated that I deem the Fern tribe of plants interesting 

 and elegant. The tender verdure of their foliage, the disposition of 

 their beautiful forms, and very graceful habit, also their charming 

 figures and airy aspect, alike contribute to their specially pleasing 

 character. They are, moreover, peculiarly admirable, on account of 

 the manner in wheh their singular inflorescence (blossom) is borne. 

 It is generally at the under side of the leaves, either in small round 

 patches or long streaks, and the colour usually brown. The Paly- 



