EQUISETIJM. 255 



Of the deciduous kinds most desirable for a similar pur- 

 pose, we should select E. sylvaticum and E. umbrosum ; 

 these being among the most elegant of the race, and of mode- 

 rate size. Both of them would require shade, but nothing 

 else beyond what well constructed rock-work would supply. 



Perhaps the most interesting way of cultivating these 

 plants would be as a group on a shady border, or in a 

 separate bed. In damp cool soil they would be certain to 

 succeed. The smaller delicate sorts, such as the procum- 

 bent E. variegatwiij should be rather elevated between three 

 or four rough stones, over which it would hang ; and for 

 the aquatic species, earthenware pans might be sunk, and 

 these, half-filled with mud, and the remainder with water, 

 would provide all that would be necessary for their well- 

 being. 



All the other species would grow in the ordinary soil, 

 provided it were sufficiently moist and cool in summer ; 

 but the rambling propensities of the underground sterns 

 should be checked by planting them in pots sunk in the 

 ground. 



The raising of the Eqnwetum* from the spores, too, would 

 be very interesting employment, and withal very instructive. 

 The spores are very curious bodies, of roundish or somewhat 



