THE PLANTS AND GARDENS OF THE CANARY ISLANDS. 
71 
Ferns. 
In spite of the dry climate and the porous, gritty soil, there 
are thirty species of Ferns found in the islands. Of these, six are 
endemic. The common Maidenhair {Adiantum Capillus -veneris) 
grows freely on damp rocks. The Kidney Fern (A.reniforme) grows 
in dry situations, almost at sea-level. The common Bracken 
{Pteris aquilina) covers large tracts in the mountains, while P. 
arguta is found near streams and woods, where also are found the 
Chain Fern {Woodiuardia radicans), several species of Asplenium* 
the Tunbridge Filmy Fern {Hymenophyllum tunbr id g e72 s e), Sbud 
the Killarney Bristle Fern {Trichomanes radicans). The Canary 
Hare's-foot Fern, so familiar in our greenhouses {Davallia cana- 
riensis) grows on heaps of lava in most arid situations. The thick, 
fleshy rhizomes evidently enable it to withstand many months 
absolutely without rain. 
Ceterach officinarum var. aureum grows in large rosettes in 
barrancos in the mountains. Its fronds are often a foot long 
and about 3 to 4 inches wide. Cheilanthes pulchella and Notho- 
chlcena lanuginosa grow on dry walls. Polypodium vulgare 
occupies exactly the same positions as in this country, on stumps 
of trees and on walls amongst moss. An Adder's-tongue Fern 
(Ophioglossum lusitanicum), flourishing in winter, is scarcely 
3 inches long. 
Teneriffe. 
Visitors to Teneriffe arrive at the port of Santa Cruz, on the 
north-eastern coast of the island. This is usually hot and dusty. 
The immediate neighbourhood has a most barren aspect, but the 
botanist soon finds that amongst the crevices of the rocks and in 
some green and fertile spots in the inland valleys there are many 
interesting plants. Even on the rugged cliffs eastward of the 
town the uncouth Euphorbia ca^iariensis and the singular and 
graceful Plocama pendula, thoroughly local types, are abundant 
and give a distinct character to the scenery. Euphorbia 
piscatoria resembles a closely allied plant in the Mediterranean 
region, while Senecio Kleinia is of an African type. These plants 
are found nearly everywhere along the rocky and rugged parts of 
the coast. 
As remarked by Bunbury, "when the Plocama and the 
Kleinia grow in close contact with the clumps of Euphorbia 
