164 



Dublin Natural History Society. 



Friday, March 10, 1851. Dr. Croker, M.R.I.A., in the chair. 



Mr. Andrews stated that he had received apologies from two mem- 

 bers who were to have prepared papers on that evening, expressive of 

 regret that they were obHged to defer their intentions to another night. 

 However, he hoped that the evening would not be barren of proceed- 

 ings, as his friend Mr. Callwell had kindly consented to give his views 

 of the treatment and cultivation of one of the most beautiful and most 

 rare of our native ferns — Trichomanes, or, as it is termed and known 

 at Killarney, the hare's-foot fern. 



Mr. Callwell observed that the statements he was about to make 

 were upon the experiments and the successful results of his several 

 modes of treatment of the cultivation of that beautiful fern. In the 

 year 1842 Mr. Andrews had given him a plant having two fronds, one 

 about six inches in length, the other partially developed. These he 

 placed under a bell-shaped glass shade, which was about fifteen 

 inches in diameter and eighteen inches in height. The fern was 

 planted in pure maiden earth, or virgin mould, a good drainage being 

 formed by placing inverted flower-pots in the receiver. Through this 

 mould he interspersed portions of charcoal. The temperature and 

 moisture were carefully regulated, although but little watering was 

 given to the plant. Great care was taken to keep the growing fronds 

 from contact with the glass, for so delicate and sensitive* were the 

 beautiful fronds when expanding, that should they rest against the 

 glass they became blackened and unsightly. In the spring of 1845, 

 so luxuriantly had the plant extended that he removed the mass to a 

 larger case. At that time there were about twenty fronds, all fully 

 developed, and presenting that beautiful green hue and delicacy of 

 texture which ai*e the remarkable characteristics of the plant. The 

 new habitat was a case of a neat mahogany frame, glazed on all sides 

 and having a deep tray of zinc. Its measurements were three feet 

 nine inches long, two feet six inches broad, and three feet three inches 

 high, having a depth of tray or receiver ten inches. Height in the 

 case he considered of much importance for the proper encouragement 

 of growth. The zinc tray was placed on a strong floor ; the mass of 

 plants were laid in soil similarly described, with the charcoal through- 

 out, having previously put as before the inverted flower-pots, and the 

 addition of cocoa-nut husks, so as in every way to facilitate perfect 

 drainage. It was of great importance to the healthy growth of the 



