318 HYMBNOPHYLLUM. \July, 



distribution of these plants in this country that we find a wide 

 separation. The H. tunhridgense is decidedly a, subalpine plants 

 affecting- and assuming a luxuriance of growth only in those 

 moist and sheltered glens and ravines of the south-western parts 

 of this country, especially amid the screen of aged woods, v>^here 

 perpetual shade and a moist and even temperature favour its 

 full development. There it may be found extensively mantling 

 the broad surfaces of vertical rocks and of banks, and where its 

 drooping and overlapping or imbricated fronds spreading in 

 masses display a most lively and delicate green. In such 

 densely-shaded localities H. Wilsoni cannot be traced. It is 

 also more rarely met on the trunks of trees than H. Wilsoni,- 

 and in its habit more sheltered from undue moisture. In the 

 south-western parts of Ireland, in the glens around Killarney, 

 more especially in those of Cromaglouin, and in those of Glouin 

 Caragh, westward of the Reeks, it is met in all its beauty. In 

 my botanical excursions in the county of WickloAV, with the late 

 Mr. Nuttall, I have not met with H. tunhridgense, although H. 

 Wilsoni is most frequent ; neither have I seen it in Connemara 

 or in Sligo, where, very likely, glens have been explored. In all 

 those localities I have never found a departure from the described 

 habit of growth, nor alteration of the characteristics given, nei- 

 ther any intermingling nor approach of growth of the two spe- 

 cies. The habits of H. Wilsoni are very different, affecting much 

 more elevated and exposed positions, and greater exposiare to 

 atmospheric influence and rain, as well as on arid and exposed 

 rocks. In the recesses of the rocks of our highest mountains, 

 particularly their northern and eastern aspects, the H. Wilsoni 

 there exhibits the same characters as found in the more exposed 

 glens where it coats rocks and trunks of trees with its peculiar 

 crisped, curved, and rather erect habit of growth. On the sum- 

 mits of Brandon, Benisgeach, Cahir Conree, and Mounteagle 

 in Kerry, and even on the cliffs of the Great Blasket Island, this 

 species is met in rich abundance ; but no approach in those lo- 

 calities can be traced of tunhridgense. Wilsoni is much dis- 

 tributed in the western parts of Ireland, as also in the northern 

 and eastern counties. To the more general distribution of the 

 Ferns of Ireland, Professor Kinahan has given much attention 

 and indefatigable research. It is clear 'that in this country H. 

 tunhridgense delights in localities where shade and a mild and 



