THE COOLER FILMY FERNS, 



333 



THE COOLER FILMY FERNS. 



Among the myriad forms of plant life few 

 are of greater interest and beauty than 

 these exquisite and fragile trailers, with 

 their transparent and lace-like tissues, 

 often finely tinted, and thriving under 

 conditions impossible to most other 

 plants. Their charm is such that when 

 once anyone is interested in their cul- 

 ture, they often become enthusiastic col- 

 lectors of the many fine kinds now at 

 command, and the ease with which most 

 of these are grown make them one of the 



and beautiful specimen plants are often 

 so grown and thrive for years; but where 

 a small house can be given up to them 

 the result is more satisfactory and their 

 beauty better enjoyed than when more 

 closely confined. Our engraving gives 

 some idea of what can be done in this way 

 under conditions unsuited to the growth 

 of anything but Ferns — of which these 

 are without question the most beautiful 

 group. 



Much difference of opinion has ex- 

 isted as to the place that the Filmy Ferns 



A HOUSE OF FILMY FERNS. 



most satisfactory of plant studies. That 

 they do so well in towns is one of their 

 great merits, and there is many a gloomy 

 courtyard or passage in our cities, never 

 reached by the sun and so shut in as to 

 secure the even temperature so desirable, 

 that, with a little contrivance, may be 

 transformed into a scene from fairyland 

 by the use of Filmy Ferns. It is also pos- 

 sible to grow them well in living rooms 

 — under bell-jars, and in fern-cases — 



should occupy, for whilst one of our 

 greatest authorities separates them from 

 the true Ferns, others have placed them 

 at the head of the list. Their true place 

 is, perhaps, the lowest in the order, their 

 structure being the simplest to be found 

 among Ferns. Most of the Filmy Ferns 

 will thrive in a lower temperature than 

 would seem reasonable in view of their 

 native countries, but it must be borne in 

 mind that although many of them are 



