382 FERNS : BRITISH AND FORE[GN. 



durable example of the manner in which many species 

 of Ferns and Aroidece clothe the trunks of trees in 

 tropical forests; also several species of epiphytal < 

 woody plants may be introduced with good effect, 

 such as Tancecium parasiticum, Marcgravia umbellata, 

 Norantea coccmea, Soyas, and other creepers not 

 subject to be infested with insects. The species of 

 Phymatodes, Pleopeltis, Davallia, and several allied 

 generals &]soPolybotrya and StenocMcena, will luxuriate 

 over the moist surfaces and form a compact mass ; and, 

 if planted near the wall, direct their rhizomes upwards, 

 and the plants will quickly assume a most elegant 

 appearance. The grand and beautiful Schellolepis 

 verrucosa, and its allies, should be placed in elevated 

 positions, as their fronds are long and pendulous. 

 Elevated positions will also be found for the species of 

 Platy cerium, the grand Drynaria Heraclea, and D. coro- 

 nans : the latter is remarkable in its thick rhizome, 

 progressing in a circular direction round trees, which, 

 with the erect, broad, rigid fronds, gives the idea of a 

 coronet or crown; this circular direction appears to 

 be normal. A fine plant at Kew, in the course of eight 

 years, grown in a shallow pot, formed a circle more 

 than a foot in diameter. For that portion of the 

 terrestrial group composed of stronger growing spe- 

 cies, such as Phegopteridece, Pteridem, Aspleniece, &c, 

 for which firmer soil is necessary, the ordinary surfaces 

 of the rockery offer most suitable positions, arranged 

 there in a manner as their sizes indicate, so as to be 

 in harmony with those of smaller size around them. 

 It is perhaps essential to note that the Gymnogramma, 

 Gheilanthes, and their allies, require a place in the 

 Fernery, the lightest and best drained ; therefore^ 



