156 



THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



Nothochkenas, planted on the higher part of the rockwork, also testify to 

 their appreciation of this treatment. Among other strong-growing kinds, 

 particularly attractive on account of either the colouring or the shape of 

 their foliage, Aye note Davallia pallida (Mooreana), Didymochlasna lunulata 

 (trwicatula), Marattia Cooperii, Neplirolepis davallioidcs furcans, Osmunda 

 regalia palustris, Pteris aspericaulis, P. Mayii, &c. j while the section of 

 miniature or dwarf-growing kinds is represented by such plants as Adiantum 

 Capillus-Veneris fissum, A. caudatum ciliatum (JEdgeioorthii), A. cuneatum 

 Legrandii, A. c. Luddemannianum, A. c. Pacottii, A. lunulatum (dolabriforme) , 

 Asplenium incisum (elega?itulum), A. lunulatum. (Femandezianum), A. viviparum, 

 Davallia alpina, D. parvulq, Doodia aspera and its crested variety multijida, 

 Polypodvum glaucophyllum, the exceedingly pretty and equally interesting 

 Hemionitis jmlmata, Acrostichum (Bhijndojjteris) peltatum and its exquisitely- 

 divided form gracillimum. Even Pteris seaberula, although of New Zealand 

 origin, appears, in company with the others enumerated above, to enjoy the 

 temperature common to all of them. In the darker places such Selaginellas 

 as S. caidescens, S. inaiqualifolia, S. umbrosa, and S. uncinata (cwsia), are 

 doing equally well ; while Platy cerium alcicome majus, P. grande, and P. Rillii, 

 which are grown on cork blocks, and are hung up against each upright 

 beam on which there is sufficient room to hold them, show sufficiently that 

 the selection of the place in which they are grown has been judiciously made. 



The other Fernery at Chelsea is one exclusively devoted to cool Ferns. 

 It is a span-roofed structure about 36ft. long by 20ft. wide, and although 

 built more than twenty years ago, it may still be held as a model of rockwork 

 building and arrangement, for this comparatively small house justly claims to 

 be one of the prettiest Ferneries now in existence. It is one of the very 

 rare examples in which, instead of sacrificing to the appearance of the 

 rockwork itself, the comfort of the plants, being considered of primary import- 

 ance, has received special attention. Through judicious selection, and the care 

 and taste displayed in the disposition of the plants, this house has been most 

 conveniently laid out. It is quite a cool Fernery, without any possible means 

 of heating, and yet is fresh and attractive all the year round. In this house, 

 as in the one previously described, no pockets have been provided for the 

 reception of the Ferns : they are disposed in a natural way, among the rocks 

 and on the sloping sides, where they enjoy a considerable amount of light, 



