20 FERNS : BRITISH AND 'FOREIGN. 



and islands, and in Japan, having sent home numerous 

 fine species, while through other sources they have 

 obtained many additions from Australia, New Zea- 

 land, and other countries. Messrs. Rollisson, of 

 Tooting, have likewise succeeded in enriching our 

 collections with a considerable number, received 

 principally from Mr. John Henshall, their collector in 

 Java and the neighbouring islands. Mr. Robert Sim, 

 of Foot's Cray, has an extensive collection, which 

 he increases by importations, and is very successful 

 in raising plants from spores ; and the Messrs. Back- 

 house & Son, of York, the principal nurserymen 

 cultivators of exotic Ferns in the provinces, have 

 introduced a good many fine species of Trichomanes, 

 and others from Chili and the West Indies. A few 

 have likewise been introduced by other nurserymen, 

 but the above are the principal of those who have 

 obtained them from their native countries. I may, 

 however, mention Messrs. Osborn & Sons, of Fulham, 

 as having introduced one or two from Tasmania; 

 Messrs. Jackson & Son, of Kingston, the Angiopteris 

 Assamica, from Assam ; and Mr. B. Williams several 

 from various parts ; while all these and some others 

 have also imported considerable numbers from the 

 Continental gardens and nurseries. 



In addition to all these sources, occasional intro- 

 ductions have taken place through several other 

 Botanic Gardens in this country, as well as through 

 some of the numerous amateur cultivators ; but Fern 

 amateurs have increased so largely during the last 

 few years, that it is obviously impossible to mention 

 them in detail. With respect to the former, the first; 

 provincial Botanic Garden in which Ferns were brought 



