ADIANTUM. 



311 



not possibly be obtained by planting British species and varieties alone. Some 

 of them,, too, are individually interesting, and foremost among these is 

 A. pedatum, on account of its unique appearance, robust growth, and 

 distinctive character. North America, although exceedingly rich in Ferns, 

 produces but three Adiantums — viz., A. cethiopicum emarginatum, A. Capillus- 

 Veneris, and A. pedatum. The first two are not hardy — at least, no more so 

 than our native species ; 

 but the last-named, in its 

 native country, will bear 

 over 30deg. of frost. There, 

 it is true, it is naturally 

 protected by a thick layer 

 of leaves, which annually 

 covers its crowns when at 

 -rest ; it is also protected 

 each year by a covering of 

 snow. But we have it on 

 the authority of E. J. Lowe, 

 who considers it a useful 

 and ornamental Fern, that 

 " being equally at home in 

 the open Fernery or in the 

 stove or greenhouse, it is 

 the most hardy of all Adi- 

 antums ;" and that "it can, 

 under this climate, with- 

 stand a cold that would be 

 certain death to the British 

 A. Capillus- Veneris.'''' Mr. 



Lowe states that "in January, 1854, plants of A. pedatum lived out of 

 doors with the temperature of 6deg. below zero of Fahrenheit's thermometer, 

 whilst near them the same cold killed all the plants of A. Capillus ■-Veneris.'" 

 In Canada this Fern grows abundantly in moist woods, especially among 

 rocks : in such places it forms, under the shelter of trees, patches often 

 covering several acres at a stretch. It is very peculiar in growth : its 



Fig. 46. Adiantum pedatum 

 (greatly reduced). 



