FEEN ALLIES OP NEW ZEALAND. 117 



at the bottom of wMcli there is a layei" of soil or mud. There is not 

 the least difficulty in cultivating them, but care must be taken that 

 confervoid algse do not accumulate to any large extent ; in which 

 case the water must be changed, and small aquatic moUusca intro- 

 duced. An aquarium must not be subjected to direct sunlight, as 

 the rapid changes of temperatm-e thus induced will soon prove fatal 

 to the most valued specimens. It is best kept in the shelter of the 

 fern-house, to the atmosphere of wliich its constant evaporation will 

 .always supply a sufficiency of moisture. 



These hints as to culture are necessarily far from being complete, 

 but they may lead readers to see the possibilities of interest and 

 .amusement which may be derived from this class of plants. For 

 more complete information on the subject, the reader is recommended 

 to peruse one of the larger works specially devoted to it, Shiiley 

 Hibberd's interesting little book, " The Fern Garden,'' being one of 

 the best. 



In making a collection of ferns for planting, always first satisfy 

 yourself as to what species grow in yoiu- own neighbourhood, before 

 bothering your friends a hundred miles away to get you plants. 

 People often thus get specimens sent to them which are to be found 

 within a short distance of their own homes. In liftmg ferns the 

 roots should be carefully dug up, not wrenched ; and in most cases 

 as big a ball of soil should be taken with them as can be conveniently 

 lifted. Thus species of Lindsaya, BotrycMum, Ophioglossum, and 

 even some Gleichenias will not grow unless the whole plants are 

 lifted intact and with the roots qiiite undisturbed. But many other 

 species will stand very hard usage as compared with this, though 

 .all are the better of careful handling. They are best transported with 

 their fronds uncrushed in a box or basket ; and, in the case of 

 Hymenopltyllums and similarly delicate forms, the botanical vasculum 

 with tightly-fitting lid wiU be found most useful. But if it is 

 desired to carry plants for a long distance — say from this colony to 

 Australia — another plan must be adopted. Each specimen, with its 

 ball of somewhat moist but not wet earth, should be wrapped up 

 in damp moss, and the whole tied up in paper or thin sacking. All 

 the fronds but four or five should be removed, and these should be 

 allowed to protrude from their wrappings. The packages thus made 



