248 Report of Meetings for 1880, by James Hardy. 



The walk led round amid the intervening tall trees, to an out- 

 break of trap-rock, which has been converted into an excellent 

 fernery, well adapted to the growth of native species. There 

 were noted, Lastrea Filix-mas, L. cristata, L. dilatata ; Athyrium 

 Filix-fcemina ; Asplenium Trichomanes,mride, and Adiantum-nigrum ; 

 Cistopteris fragilis ; Allosorus crispus ; Poly podium Dry opteris sin.^ 

 Phegopteris ; Polystichum aculeatum, and the dentated and proli- 

 ferous forms of P. angulare. Finest of all, the varieties of Scolo- 

 pendrium vulgare, especially crispum were at home here in the 

 shade. No where could be found more luxuriant plants of the 

 holly-fern, Polystichum Lonchitts, usually so prone to pine away 

 when transplanted. On the upper part of the crag, which is 

 called the Turret, there being a small prospect tower on the 

 rocky platform, the maiden pink {Ifianthus deltoides) grows 

 native. JSrinus Alpinus has been here introduced, and thrives in 

 the chinks of the Turret, and has a tendency like Cotoneaster 

 microphylla alongside of it, to cling to the wall. 



The Coniferse were thriving ; one of these was a good Ahies 

 Cephalonica ; the Araucarias were not old. The frost had done 

 no harm here. There were several good trees of Quercus Cerris 

 or Turkey Oak. 



The garden was a most acceptable treat, but very little time 

 could be devoted to the extensive greenhouses, and spacious 

 flower borders.- The white flowered creeper, Stephanotis flori- 

 hunda, the ornament of bridal parties, was profusely blooming ; a 

 pretty pink Polygola like a pea, was very attractive ; but the 

 speciality was the rich assortment of ferns, of which Mr Clark 

 was an assiduous cultivator. Of native kinds, Asplenium marinum 

 had grown to a large plant ; A. Ruta-muraria was thriving in a 

 pot ; and A. germanicum also. A specimen of A. lanceolatum had 

 been brought from Garibaldi's Isle, Caprella ; there was a very 

 fine Woodsia Ilvensis ; and Polystichum Lonchitis was thriving 

 under cover. Only one of the richly furnished herbacous borders 

 was glanced at. Mr Clark said that the old Cabbage Eose had 

 now come into vogue in the South, and was all the rage ; and he 

 showed some fair examples ; Lilium auratum was noted, as well 

 as a small upright Clematis ; a large flowered variety of Lythrum 

 Salicaria, coarse but showy ; a very fine Statice ; Veratrum 

 nigrum ; St. Barnaby's thistle ; double Geranium pratense ; the 

 old Golden-rod and pearly Everlasting ; curious forms and 

 colours of Monkshood ; great white Spiraeas, &c. 



