82 Ferns and Fern Culture. 
COLLECTING SPORES. 
The spores are contained in small sacs, arranged in 
clusters or lines at the back of the fronds; sometimes in 
large patches on certain parts of the fronds; at other 
times spread all over the surface; and in some species 
they are arranged along the edges. Some of the clusters 
are covered by a thin membrane, which lifts up as the 
spores approach maturity, rolls back, and sometimes 
falls off or shrivels up. In many species the clusters are 
not covered at all. When first formed the spore cases 
are colourless, then pale green, and as growth advances 
some become black, others green, and many of various 
shades of brown. When the covering (indusium) begins 
to lift, it isa sign that the spores are nearly ripe. The 
spore cases themselves swell, and when the spores-in 
them are matured the cases burst and scatter their 
contents in the form of minute dust. Spores are of 
many colours—black, dark brown, light brown, golden 
yellow, and green. When ripe, the fronds, or that 
portion bearing the spores, should be cut off, wrapped in 
paper (white is the best), and put in a warm dry place. 
On the following day the fronds will be shrivelled; but 
lying on the paper there will be a dust-like substance, 
which proves to be innumerable spores. "With these 
there will always be a multitude of spore-cases which 
have detached themselves from the frond in the act of 
bursting. A casual observer might take the whole to be 
spores, but an examination of the mass through a lens 
will soon reveal the difference. This is important, as 
those who are not acquainted with the difference often 
take care of the useless cases and neglect the finer sub- 
stance, which is the only valuable part. ; 
Spores should be sown as soon after collection as 
possible. If they are to be kept a long time they should 
be put into bottles and tightly corked, when some of 
them will retain their vitality for years. 
SOWING THE SPORES. 
Pots 4in, or 5in. in diameter are a convenient size in 
which to sow spores. They should have an inch of 
