18 FERNS : BRITISH AND FOREIGN. 



collected by the Director of the Garden, M. Belanger.. 

 A considerable number of rare species were likewise* 

 sent from Dominica in 1853, and several following years, 

 by Dr. Imray ; such as Hemitelia Imray ana, Neurocallis 

 2ircestantissima, ElapJioglossum undulaium, and the 

 true E. longifolium, &c. While from Trinidad we are 

 indebted to the Island botanist, the late Dr. Criiger, 

 for Schizcea elegans, Saccoloma elegans, Amphidesmium 

 rostratum, Hymenostachys diver sifrons, TricJiomanes- 

 pennatum, and other equally rare species. His suc- 

 cessor, Mr. Henry Prestoe, who previous to his appoint* 

 ment last year was foreman of the collection of Ferns 

 at Kew, has already transmitted a large collection of 

 rare Ferns, and in the finest condition, proving that 

 they had been collected and put up by one who 

 perfectly understood their nature. The situation he 

 now holds will enable him to be of great service in 

 transmitting new plants to this country. 



Comparatively few, considering the richness of its 

 Fern Flora, have been received from tropical America; 

 Dr. Gardner and J. Wetherall, Esq., in Brazil; H. 

 Cadogan Kothery, Esq., in Guiana; Mrs. Colonel 

 McDonald, in Honduras ; and Mr. Wagener, in Vene- 

 zuela, being the principal contributors. 



From the above it will be seen that a large number- 

 of Ferns have been introduced through the agency of 

 the garden at Kew; but, besides these, a very con- 

 siderable number are due to the exertions of some of 

 our leading nurserymen, who, in consequence of the 

 great demand for, and the large prices realized by, the 

 finer and rarer species, have imported them, either- 

 direct from their native countries, or from the Con- 

 tinent, where, as will be presently noticed, a good 



