PERN CONFERENCE. 



628 



varieties, as may be seen in the fine collection now growing in 

 the gardens at Kew ; there are many others also which do not 

 appear to be represented there at present, but by seeing those 

 which are there anyone may gain a fairly good idea of the 

 variety of form and beauty possessed by perfectly hardy British 

 Ferns. The lovers of the curious forms also may find much to 

 interest them among the Scolopendriums, Athyriums, Lastreas, 

 Blechnums, and others. 



Our native species are not very numerous, but many are very 

 pretty and ornamental ; and had they come from other countries, 

 instead of being found wild in our own, they would, no doubt, be 

 more highly esteemed. The species number about fifty, more 

 or less according to how they are joined or separated by various 

 authorities, but the wild and the cultivated varieties are simply 

 innumerable. Some thousands of these have been named ; they 

 are of every conceivable shape and form, and they range in size 

 from the tiny Hymenophyllums to the Osmundas and Pteris 

 aquilina, which may be seen in wild luxuriance from 8 to 10 feet 

 in height. Some of the North American species are perfectly 

 hardy ; and while a few of them are somewhat like species found 

 in this country, others are quite distinct, possessing characteristics 

 and a beauty entirely their own. Japan furnishes us with a few 

 species which are quite hardy, and a few others that will live 

 outside here, but require a little protection in winter. A few 

 also are found elsewhere that do well in the outdoor ferneries of 

 this country. 



Having to treat my subject briefly, it will necessitate the 

 leaving out of much interesting matter, and reference to those 

 species and varieties only which are particularly noticeable for 

 their beauty or peculiarity of form, and but a small proportion 

 of these, as it would occupy a long time to merely enumerate 

 those which are deserving of attention and worthy of cultiva- 

 tion. 



There are three Filmy Ferns natives of Britain — Trichomanes 

 radicans, Hymenophyllum tunbridgense, and Hymenophyllum 

 wiilaterale or Wilsonii. If these are planted outside it must be 

 in a very damp, secluded position ; for, although they will bear a 

 low temperature, a dry atmosphere or lack of moisture at their 

 roots is very injurious to them. They give most satisfaction 

 when grown in an unheated frame, where they will bear eight or 



