15 



The hairiness of the rachis, always conspicuous on the young 

 fronds, is sometimes obliterated in their after-growth. 



WOODSIA HYPERBOREA. Alpine Woodsia. TAB. VI. 



Fronds linear-lanceolate, pinnate; pinnse obtusely triangular, 

 pinnatifid, with rounded segments. 



Woodsia hyperborea, Brown. E. B. 2023. Smith. Hooker and 

 Arnott. Woodsia alpina, Newman, Hist. Brit. Ferns, 79. 

 Woodsia ilvensis, var., Babington. Acrostichum alpinum, 

 Bolton. 



Met with in similar situations as the preceding, but apparently 

 of rarer occurrence. The habitats hitherto recorded are, Clogwynn- 

 y-Garnedd, and Moel Sichog, Snowdon, in Wales; Ben Lawers, 

 Mael-dun-Crosk, and Craig-Challiach, Perthshire ; and, according 

 to Dr. Balfour, in Glen Fiadh, Forfarshire, in Scotland. In habit 

 it is not unlike W. Ilvensis, but the narrower fronds are of a 

 thinner texture, and less hairy and chaffy ; while the pinnse, al- 

 most invariably alternate, are shorter, and nearly triangular in 

 their general outline, and their lobes fewer and more rounded. 



Our figures of these two ferns will convey the idea of specific 

 distinction, and those of Mr. Newman, above quoted, are even 

 more decided in this respect ; but the comparison of specimens of 

 both from different localities, and even from the same gathered in 

 different years, renders it very doubtful whether they ought to be 

 regarded as other than mere varieties of one species. 



For successful cultivation of the Woodsia, shade, a moist atmo- 

 sphere, and perfect drainage about the roots, are points of the 

 utmost importance, and are especially indicated by its natural 

 localities. Owing to their rarity as British ferns, few persons 

 have ventured to plant them in the open air ; in which, however, 

 sheltered from the sun in summer, and from the drying easterly 

 winds of spring, I am informed they may be grown luxuriantly. 

 When potted, sandy peat, mingled with a small quantity of /yellow 

 loam, broken limestone and slate, affords a soil among which the 

 black wiry roots readily extend; and if the pot be previously half 

 filled with small fragments of stone and sand sifted among them, 

 the plant will not be liable to suffer from the accumulation of 

 moisture. Although a damp atmosphere is favourable during the 

 growing season, these ferns will not bear confinement in close 

 frames or cases ; however vigorously they may grow at first, they 

 art soon rendered feeble by the want of a free r-irculation of air. 



