LYCOPODIACE^K. 



11 



introduced into the greenhouse on account of their pretty 

 moss-like appearance, and their evergreen character ; they 

 flourish best in pots set in pans of water, or at the edge of 

 tanks, as they delight in moisture. L. densum, from New 

 South Wales, and depressum, from the Cape, are often cul- 

 tivated in the greenhouse, and are extremely ornamental. 

 L. Helveticum, a Swiss species, is also very pretty and 

 hardy; its bright-green leaves and trailing stems make it a 

 very desirable plant for the edges of the aquarium, or water- 

 tank, as it may be used in hiding the unsightly appearance 

 of the sides and edges of this necessary appendage to the 

 greenhouse. It looks well also growing on the earth of the 

 large pots, where perhaps the stem of the plant is bare and 

 tall, and if it can in this situation be kept sufficiently 

 moist, takes off from the ugly appearance of the bare earth, 

 and as it also hangs very gracefully over the edge, it hides 

 the pot as well. There are other hardy species. 



FERNS. 



The beautiful and interesting plants known as "Ferns" 

 are now so generally cultivated, either in closed cases or in 



