392 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



which, are of particularly distinct character, and rank among the rarest of 

 our native Ferns. As a rule, Woodsias may be said to nourish where but 

 little soil is allowed around their roots, in crevices of damp rocks, or upon 

 the rocks themselves, generally in fairly exposed situations. They are well 

 adapted for growing in small intermediate and hardy Ferneries, where they 

 form suitable companions to Asplenium Euta-muraria, A. Ceterach (or 

 Ceterach officinarum as it is more commonly called), A. Trichomanes, &c, 

 and they may also be successfully cultivated in pots. They require a very 

 open soil, composed of turfy peat and light loam in equal parts, with a free 

 admixture of finely-broken charcoal, sandstone, or silver sand. Thorough 

 drainage is essential, and the crowns of the plants should be kept above 

 the soil and surrounded by a few small stones : the effect of this arrangement 

 is to keep the roots in a permanently moist, state without using much water, 

 as they are particularly averse to stagnant moisture. 



Woodsias are usually increased by the division of their crowns, an 

 operation which is attended with most satisfactory results when performed 

 during their resting period — from November to March. They may also be 

 propagated by means of their spores, which are produced in abundance 

 and germinate freely, especially when sown in a temperature of 65cleg. 

 to 70deg. 



Principal Species and Varieties. 



W. alpina — al-pi'-na (alpine). A common garden name for W. hyperborea. 



W^. Brownii — Brown'-i-i (Brown's). Synonymous with Hypoderris Brownii. 



W. (Physematium) Burgessiana — Phy-se-mat'-i-um ■ Bur-ges-si-a'-na 

 (Burgess's), Gerrard. 

 A species found along the Tugela River, Natal. It has spear-shaped 

 fronds 6in. long, 2in. broad, of a soft, hairy nature, and pinnate, their 

 stalkless leaflets being oblong and deeply cleft into broad lobes that are 

 toothed at the summit. The small and sparsely-produced spore masses are 

 covered by a thin, parchment-like involucre opening at the summit, at 

 length breaking down into a very irregular margin. — Hooker, Synopsis 

 Fili cum, p. 46. 



