270 



FOEKED SPLEENWORT. 



remains entire, and it is therefore probable that a frond of this 

 kind was before the Rev. Mr. Bell, when he penned his inte- 

 resting paper for the ' Transactions of the Botanical Society of 

 Edinburgh' (ii. 119), reprinted at page 361 of this work. It 

 will be observed that Mr. Bell's avowed object is to establish 

 his fern as a species distinct from A. Euta-muraria. 



fylkxt 



Strictly evergreen, and very singular in appearance, this fern 

 is well worth the trouble of cultivation. Mr. WoUaston says 

 that it " not only requires very careful potting,, but extreme 

 care and attention afterwards ; " a remark which I find very 

 true. The plan recommended for Euta-muraria may be fol- 

 lowed also with this species, always however bearing in mind 

 that the loss of plants is much more difficult to repair. I pre- 

 pare a number of thin pieces of freestone, and having placed 

 them in an ordinary flower-pot in an erect position, introduce the 

 radicles of the fern between two of them, allowing the crown of 

 the caudex to stand clear above them: the pieces of stone should 

 then be wedged up firmly by introducing others at their sides, 

 and a little sifted peat earth and old mortar should be shaken 

 into the crevices. Water must be used very sparingly. 



