66 ADIANTUM CAPILLUS-VENERIS. TRUE MAIDEN-HAIR FERN. 



times assume in the Southern States. This must be very 

 unusual. The one given in our illustration is about the size as 

 generally seen. Florists grow it in any ordinary potting soil, 

 mixing with it about one-half of broken bricks, old pots, or 

 stones. It does not endure the coldest winters in the Northern 

 United States, but is nearly hardy, and of course will thrive in 

 any cool greenhouse, as well as grow nicely in quite warm 

 places. Indeed, for adaptation to many situations, it is one of 

 the most remarkable ferns known ; and this has been noted by 

 those who have observed it in a wild state as well as by those 

 who are familiar with it under culture. It is found in most parts 

 of the world, and Sir William J. Hooker tells us that it is very 

 abundant in the south of Europe, where he has seen it "lining 

 the inside of wells with a tapestry of the tenderest green." On 

 the other hand, Dr. C. C. Parr)-, in his " Botanical Observations 

 in Southern Utah," in "American Naturalist" for 1875, says: 

 "Apparently quite out of place in this arid climate, we notice 

 quite frequently on the perpendicular face of moist sandstone 

 rocks Adiantum Capillus-Veneris." In Florida it seems to pre- 

 fer a situation different from eitlier of those Dr. Parry and Sir 

 William J. Hooker describe. In the " Bulletin of the Torrey 

 Botanical Club," for September, 1877, Miss Mary C. Reynolds 

 says: "I was made happy by finding, under the direction of Mr. 

 Chamberlin, the beautiful Adianhmt Capilhis- Veneris growing 

 in rich hummock-land, where wild oranges and other trees made 

 a constant shade. Little mounds or depressions were the haunts 

 of my charmer. Last year's fronds were all gone, or rather the 

 pinnae had dropped, leaving the shining black, wiry stems 

 standing upright and spreading out their slim fingers, while the 

 baby fronds were coming up around them. Some were old 

 enough to be well fruited, while others were very tender and of 

 a lovely pink color." 



It is remarkable that a plant capable of inciting such pleasant 

 imagery, as is exemplified in the language of the writers quoted, 

 should not have taken a distinguished place in classic poetry ; 



