158 TASMANIAN TREE-FERNS COVERED WITH SNOTT. 
the 2:rey, fragile one is Chara (^polyphjlla) Berteroi, mihi; the green, 
Nttella cernim, mihi; but the ktter does not quite agree, and I should 
like to see more specimens, which should be prepared by placing them 
upon white paper under water," 
TASMANIAN TEEE-PEENS COVERED WITH SNOW. * 
pMr. Morris, on forwarding an excellent photograph of Tasmanian 
Tree-ferns covered with snow, encloses a letter refemng to them from 
the gentleman who took the photograph. English horticulturists 
might take a hint from these Tree-ferns growing in a climate where 
they are covered with snow in the winter ; and might find it worth 
trying to grow them in the milder parts of England. — Ed.] 
Dear Sir, — I beg to iuform you that the large photograph of the 
Ferns was taken at a place called Eern-tree Bower, about six miles 
from town, and a short distance from the New Hewn Road; it is the 
extreme end of the water-works on the edge of Brown's River, but 
about four miles from that township, and about one mile from the 
huts at the springs of Mount Wellington, by following the course of 
the river or stream. Tlie probable height of the Eern-tree Bower above 
the sea is from 1500 to 2000 feet. 
The Tree-fern growls as high as eighteen or twenty feet, wdth fronds 
hanging down as much as nine feet in the winter season. They grow 
only in shaded, damp places, generally gullies, where the sun rarely 
penetrates. There is a skittle ground in town where Tree-ferns (with 
the roots cut off, were placed to stop the balls) at once commenced 
growing; they were watered every morning, and are now in splendid 
condition. It is about three years since they were planted. 
Fern gullies, as perhaps you are aware, are numerous all round the 
foot of Mount Wellington, and in some instances within two miles of 
Hobart Town. The Ferns are generally associated with the beautiful 
Sassafras-trees, and grow large and close together. The number of 
different Ferns in these gullies, particularly the Brown's River one, 
is astonishing. Our present Governor, returning from the Hewn, 
stopped for luncheon at the Bower, though there is an inn close by. 
Yours, etc, 
S. Clifford. 
