228 THE FERN PARADISE. 



treme point. The scales and shining hairs at the 

 backs of the leaflets are not quite so thickly 

 scattered as in the case of the Oblong Woodsia. 

 But the spore clusters are often crowded. 



Both the Oblong and the Alpine Woodsia grow 

 on damp rocks, oftentimes inaccessible. In culti- 

 vation, the conditions under which they grow in a 

 wild state must not be forgotten. They should, 

 therefore, whether planted in the cool open rockery, 

 in a case, or in pots, be planted amongst blocks of 

 stone, as we have recommended in the case of 

 Ilvensis. 



The Alpine Woodsia is exceedingly rare. It 

 appears to occur in the same districts as those of 

 its Oblong relative. But it has been suggested 

 that this fern, like many others which are partial 

 to almost inaccessible habitats, may not, perhaps, 

 be so rare as is generally supposed. 



