CULTIVATION. 



305 



moisture-loving Fern stands pre-eminent, even sur- 

 passing in size and luxuriance those in their native 

 retreats. A familiar example of opposite nature to 

 the preceding is our native species Asplenium septen- 

 trionale, confined to northern localities, generally 

 growing on rocks and insinuating its delicate roots in 

 the deep crevices and among the debris of irregular 

 shelvings and prominences, not receiving any apparent 

 injury from the rigour of winter or the scorching 

 heat of summer. Although such is its hardy nature, 

 it nevertheless does not nourish when taken from its 

 native rocks and brought under artificial cultivation. 

 What has been stated regarding the shade and 

 moisture -loving Trichomanes, and the rock -loving 

 Asplenia, may be viewed as the extremes in the nature 

 of those Ferns that do not readily conform to ordinary 

 cultivation; but, on the other hand, the greater 

 number are not particular in their choice of place of 

 growth, either in a wild state or under cultivation. 

 Examples may be cited of species conforming to the 

 most untoward and varying influences ; for instance, 

 the common b&Yt's-tongneYern(Scolopendriumvulgare) 

 maintains itself in situations of the most opposite 

 kind, having great predilection for the works of man, 

 whether elevated in the air or sunk below the surface 

 of the earth; such as stone, brick, or turf walls, 

 embankments, hedge-banks and road-sides, pits, 

 quarries, or deep open wells. In either place it multi- 

 plies freely, conforming itself to the various atmo- 

 spheric changes to which those situations are liable. 

 Such being the case, it is not surprising to find it 

 assume different sizes and forms ; in dry places it is 

 only a few inches in height, while in open wells, such 



x 



