68 REVIEWS. 
may consist of potsherds broken to the size of nuts and walnuts, rejecting 
the finer portions. On this a thin layer of Sphagnum moss should be 
spread, to prevent the soil washing or settling down among the drainage. 
Then, in potting, lay a little soil on the moss, spread out the roots as 
much as possible, and fill in the soil, gradually working it with the fingers 
well among the roots. When the pot is filled, consolidate it by a few 
smart taps on the potting bench and by pressing firmly with the fingers. 
. . . The soil should be in a half-dry state when used, never wet. 
Watering.—All ferns love moisture, therefore while they are growing 
they should be well supplied. . . . Through the growing season, or from 
May to September, the plants will be benefited by a daily syringing over 
the fronds, repeated in the evening of all hot days. . . . Soft, or at least 
aerated water, should always be used, and the water used for syringing 
should be scrupulously clean, or the fronds will be disfigured by it. 
Situation.—Pot ferns are best kept in a cool shady frame or pit. In 
such a place they may stand during the winter, with just enough water to 
prevent dryness of the soil and no more. . . . In summer no sunshine 
should smile wpon the then growing plants, which must be shaded with 
scrupulous exactness, if it is desired to preserve that delicacy of tint and 
texture which in ferns are so much prized. . . . 
Glazed cases. — These inventions of Mr. Ward are invaluable aids 
in fern culture; and besides this, they are, when well filled with living 
plants, very instructive and suggestive ornaments in the comfortable par- 
lours of the affluent. 
Want of room prevents further quotation. We think it due 
to our readers to state why we have deviated from the common 
practice of only once noticing a work in the same periodical. 
Every work which bears on our chief object, British Botany, de- 
mands from us a portion of our pages and the hearty tribute of 
our goodwill. We have devoted to Mr. Moore’s treatise as much 
of our space as we can afford; we have consulted the benefit of 
our readers in recommending a cheap and instructive book, which 
is truly what it professes to be, ‘A Handbook of British Ferns ;’ 
and in thus acting, we only do justice to the author and satisfy 
the demands of courtesy and impartiality. 
Experiments on the Dyeing Properties of Lichens. By W. Lav- 
pER Linpsay, M.D., Assistant Physician, Crichton Royal In- 
stitution, Dumfries. 
The subject of this brochure of forty pages, we believe, is new 
