285 
TEMPERATE F'erns.—The collection of ferns in cultivation at Kew is 
n exceptionally rich one, containing over 2,000 named species and 
distinct varieties. It is accommodated in the following houses: No. 1, 
tropical tree ferns; No. 2, tropical ferns and lycopods; No. 3, tem- 
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and two side stages with paths on both sides. "The old-fashioned belief 
that ferns require more shade than most plants has given way to the more 
erns under cultivation in the climate of England 
enjoy plenty of light and rich treatment generally. The best collection 
of British ferns are grown in rich open borders and treated very much 
as if they were cabbages. 
XANTHORRH&A 'lATEANA, F. V. M.— This grass gum-tree was de- 
scribed by Sir Ferd. Mueller in Zeitschr. Oesterr. Apoth. Ver., 23, 294 
(1885). It is a native of Kangaroo Island in South Australia. The 
Royal Gardens are indebted to Mr. Maurice Holtze, F.L.S., Director of 
the Botanie Gardens, Adelaide, for two large living stems of this dis- 
tinct species, which arrived in fine condition on the 8th of October. 
species of Xanthorrheea, all natives of Australia. The other species in 
cultivation at Kew beside the above are X. australis, R.Br.; X. gracilis, 
Endl; X. hastilis, R.Br.; X. Preissii, Endl.; X. quadrangulata, 
M.; and X. semiplana, F.M. Small plarts of the last named were 
received from Mr. Holtze with the stems of X. tateana. 
A set of Mr. Richard Spruce's “ Hepatica AMAZONICZ ET ÅNDINÆ ” 
has been purchased. It comprises’ about 500 species, a very large pro- 
tions of them appeared in Tra t v long ago 
1885 ey form part of the very valuable and extensive collections 
made Mr. Sp between 1849 and 1860. The first set of his 
by Mr. Spru 
flowering plants is in the Kew Her 
adagascar, w 
nearly 9 inches long; Polycardia baroniana, Oliver (Madagascar), a 
curious Celastrinea, with flowers springing from the centre of the 
in flats and river beds. 
