80 FEENS OF THE LAKE COUNTRY 



many persons fail to cultivate this Fern with success ; 

 probably from the use of fine soil in too large masses. 

 Naturally this is a rupestral (rock-growing) plant, and 

 this condition should be imitated by its being planted 

 among masses of porous sand-stone in the interstices 

 of which, and only in the interstices, a little sandy soil 

 should be placed. It would no doubt also be an ad- 

 vantage to plant somewhat horizontally instead of too 

 vertically and to have the upper stones large enough to 

 shade the crowns of the plants from the sun. Many 

 Ferns do not need so much shade as is given in a col- 

 lection to the tenderer sorts ; and this partial shadow- 

 ing would be more congenial to some of the wall or 

 rock species than a more general exclusion of the sun. 



HABITATS. Scawfell, by Wastwater, Honister Crags, 

 Borrowdale, Newlands, Keswick, Helvellyn, Patter- 

 dale, Eed Screes (Ambleside), Crummock Water. 



