THE FJLMY FERNS. 



coyer the moist rocky surfaces of the habitats of 

 the two British species of Hymenophyllum. 



When the natural conditions under which the 

 Filmy Ferns grow can be imitated in the Fern 

 garden, then these beautiful little pellucid-leaved 

 plants will thrive luxuriantly. The natural con- 

 ditions can be imitated perfectly under a cover- 

 ing of glass, which will secure the object of keep- 

 ing an atmosphere of perpetual moisture around 

 the rhizomas and fronds. The soil should be peat 

 and silver sand, and on this compost should be 

 arranged little blocks of sfcone, between which the 

 roots should be placed. The whole should be 

 saturated with water, and then covered with the 

 glass shade. Here the Filmy Ferns will grow 

 luxuriantly, and will thus, in the warm humidity 

 of their adopted home, exhibit the freshness which 

 they can only otherwise exhibit in their rocky 

 habitats in the misty atmosphere and within sound 

 of the thunders of the moorland streams. 



403 



