CULTIVATION, 337 



dry zone of Northern Africa, and few have as yet 

 been recorded from the interior of Australia ; while, 

 on the contrary, on elevated coast-ridges and islands, 

 they form a large proportion of the entire Flora. 

 They are the most numerous, both in regard to genera 

 and species, in the tropical regions, where, too, a 

 greater number of individual plants are to be found 

 than in temperate regions.* 



On reviewing the above, it may readily be supposed 

 that the varied influences under which Exotic Ferns 

 naturally grow, necessitate various kinds of treatment 

 for cultivating and preserving them in this country ; 

 but such is not the case. As might be expected, 

 our native representatives (although only forty-two 

 in number) have received special attention. We have 

 Fern Tourists in plenty ; almost every spot of our 

 country, where are conditions congenial to their 

 development, has become more or less familiar to 

 those who take an interest in their study — in the 

 damp shady glen, the wildest wood, banks of streams, 

 mountain-sides, whether it be in their sheltered easy 

 slopes, or in the almost inaccessible craggy steeps. 

 Indeed, so diligently have the Fern explorings been 

 carried on, that numerous curious and beautiful 

 varieties, highly prized in our gardens, have been 

 found. But, however laudable and agreeable Fern- 

 growing may be, yet it is to be regretted that it leads 

 to the extinction of some of our rarest native species. 

 Even the more common are becoming scarce in locali- 

 ties within easy reach; great quantities being yearly 



* "Want of space prevents me entering more fully into the 

 history of geographical distribution. 



