862 FERNS : BRITISH AND FOREIGN. 



decumbent or creeping species, such as S. serpens, 

 S. uncinata, 8. Galiottii, &c, are examples. The 

 latter delight in a light soil, composed of fibry peat 

 and well-decomposed leaf-soil, free from pieces of 

 wood (as it generates fungi), with a little sand inter- 

 mixed, and require a depth of only about two inches 

 in ordinary round pans, with ample drainage. If, 

 however, good specimens are desirable, with an 

 arrangement on a bench or low shelf, square pans 

 about twice their height at the back as in front, are in 

 every way preferable, and as at Kew, arranged alter- 

 nately with the cases of Hymenopliyllae, with which 

 they harmonize. The former-mentioned species, on 

 account of their robust habit and strong rooting cha- 

 racter, require the shallow pot, and a similar soil as for 

 the last, but with a small proportion of light loam. 

 The magnificent Selaginella laevigata, if supported by 

 wires against a wall, becomes, in a remarkably short 

 time, the loveliest object to be found in a Fernery. 

 The species of the Rosulate section differ from the rest 

 of the genus in having erect, fasciculate vernation, the 

 frondules rising from a central developing axis, and, 

 as in 8. lepidojohylla, spreading out nearly horizontal, 

 and overlapping one another, forming a beautiful 

 green rosette, about six inches in diameter ; when dry, 

 they turn upwards and inwards in an involute manner, 

 the whole mass of the plant thus forming a firm ball, 

 which, on becoming moist, again expands; and even 

 perfectly dead plants, when expanded, seem as if alive. 

 In that respect being analogous to that of the insig- 

 nificant cruciferous plant called the Rose of Jericho 

 (Anastatica hierochuntica) : hence the balls of this 

 Selaginella are frequently met with in curipsity-shppa 



