23 HARD FEEN. 



acknowledge my obligation to Mr. WoUaston of ChiseUiurst, Mr. 

 Gray of Hammersmith, Dr. AUchin of Bayswater, and Mr. J. 

 E. Kinahan of Dublin, for much valuable information on this 

 subject. The last-named gentleman has very completely and 

 ingeniously systematized these deviations, in a paper published 

 in No. 147 of the ' Phytologist,' and intituled " On the Classi- 

 fication and Nomenclature of Ferns," (see Phytol. iv. 1033). 

 The author of this paper proposes that in future " all descrip- 

 tions of forms of ferns be divided under the following four 

 heads : — 1. Form, or original type. 2. Subform, or foi-ms 

 aberrant from some geographical influence, such as climate, 

 &c., and including what may be called doubtful species. 3. 

 Subvarieties, or non-permanent monstrosities. 4. Varieties, 

 or permanent monstrosities." After maturely considering this 

 system, which the author explains in extenso, I have concluded 

 that the deviations in question do not imperatively demand a 

 notice in a botanical work like the present. 



The Hard Fern is weU worth cultivating on rock-work ; its 

 fertile fronds are delicate and beautiful during the summer and 

 autumn, and its barren fronds bright glossy green and persist- 

 ent throughout the winter. It likes a stiff clayey soil, and is 

 almost the only species that succeeds in such a soil ; in loam, 

 or a mixture of loam and peat, it also succeeds well, but re- 

 quires more constant watering. When potted, it should have 

 abundance of air, not liking the confinement of a glass shade, 

 neither does it fruit so freely when covered as when exposed. 

 On rock-work it should be so planted as to face the North, as, 

 in a state of nature, it shows a very decided preference for the 

 North side of hills. 



