947 



the garden of Sberard, who died in 1728. That bricks may form a 

 favourable groundwork for Asplenium viride, is shown by Mr. New- 

 man in his ' History of British Ferns.' In mentioning a station for it 

 at Ham Bridge, Worcestershire, he says : — " As I approached the 

 bridge, the red bricks of which it is built, and the dry and dusty road 

 which passed over it, seemed in no degree to increase the chance of 

 success ; yet on that bridge, facing the roadway and covered with 

 dust, was the identical plant I sought — small indeed, but the species 

 not to be mistaken." 



Mr. Reynolds had observed (Phytol. iv. 210) that Mr. Newman had 

 even extended his suggestion to him, as to the origin of A. viride, by 

 referring Ceterach and Dryopteris to the same source. 



Mr. Williamson was personally acquainted with the Flora of the 

 district in question, and could slate that it contained many things 

 that had been certainly introduced. This was especially the case 

 with a number of species found in a wood immediately at the back of 

 the mansion ; and he considered the most satisfactory way of account- 

 ing for their presence, was upon the supposition that they had, at some 

 remote period, been cultivated by the possessor of Danny. 



Tillandsia usneoides as a Substitute for Horse-hair. 



The attention of the meeting was called to a vegetable substitute 

 for horse-hair, in upholstery. It is called "American moss;" and 

 chairs, &c., stuffed with it are exhibited for sale in some shops in 

 London. It is the produce of Tillandsia usneoides (Bromeliaceae), 

 an epiphytic plant, growing on the cypress-trees upon the banks of 

 the Mississippi River. At the first glance, its appearance is not unlike 

 that of hair ; but closer inspection shows the joints of its wiry stems. 

 Although possessing some elasticity, it will not compare, in this respect, 

 with horse-hair : its advantage consists in a smaller cost at first. 



In connexion with this subject, it was mentioned that the indige- 

 nous carragheen {Chondrus crispus) used to be extensively collected 

 on our coasts, for the purpose of stuffing mattresses. 



[The following extract contains a further account of the Tilland- 

 sia : — Ed. Phyt. 



" Tillandsia usneoides deserves, for its uses and appearance, to be 

 shortly described. The stem is no bigger than a thread ; the skin 

 whitish, as if covered with hoar-frost, within tough and black like a 

 horse-hair. Many of these together stick on the branches of the 

 ebony or other trees, superficially by the middle, and send down on 

 each side some of the same stems, very often a yard long, hanging on 

 both sides, curled, or turning and winding one within another, and 



