76 FERNS. 



and graceful appearance, render them specially attractive and 

 interesting in an exhibition, at which they ought to be more 

 often seen. The best known genera, Hymenophyllwn, Todea, 

 and TricJiomanes, are all very similar in their nature and 

 habits, and thrive well with the same treatment. Where 

 possible, a small house with a north aspect should be specially 

 devoted to them, and where that cannot be afforded, they 

 should be grown in cases or frames inside of other houses ; 

 and as tliey are shade-loving plants, the case may be placed 

 anywhere under the shade of other plants, so that a moderate 

 share of light and air reaches it. A close, moist, moderately 

 cool atmosphere, kept closely shaded from sunshine, suits them 

 well ; and most of them thrive in well-drained pots, in a com- 

 post of iibry peat, chopped sphagnum, and silver sand, freely 

 mixed with chips of sandstone and charcoal, used more or less 

 rough according to the size and nature of the plants. The 

 air must be kept saturated with moisture by frequent sprink- 

 lings with tepid water ; and the drainage must be perfect to 

 allow it to escape, as they will not bear stagnation at the roots. 

 Some of the creeping species thrive best on blocks of wood or 

 pieces of tree-fern stems, with a little sphagnum tied on, to 

 retain moisture for the roots as they run over the surface of 

 the block. 



HYMEXOPHYLLra. 



The numerous members of this genus are mostly natives of 

 tropical regions, but a few beautiful species are found in Kew 

 Zealand. The best for exhibition are H. clliatum, H.flexuosum, 

 H. hirsiitum, and S. scabrum. H. Timlirldgen.se and H. Wilsonii, 

 which are natives of Britain, are occasionally exhibited in col- 

 lections of hardy ferns. They ai'e generally found in sheltered 

 crevices of rocks with the water from above trickling down 

 among their roots, and keeping the air heavily laden with 

 moisture, giving an idea of what to aim at in growing them 

 to perfection. 



TODEA. 



This is by far the most effective genus for exhibition among 

 the filmy ferns. Many of the species form elegant plants. 



