230 
Choice Ferns for Amateurs. 
HYMENOPHYLLUM. 
The chief characteristic of Filmy Ferns in 
general has already been alluded to in the first part 
of this book. So far as this genus is concerned, with 
the exception of H, fuciforme and H, pulcherrimum, , 
nearly all the species at present known are of creep- 
ing habit, and, being provided with shallow- 
rooting rhizomes, they succeed best when growing 
on the surface of a rock and allowed to run under 
the moss which covers it. They are particularly 
well adapted for growing in Fern-cases in towns; 
they are all the more valuable by reason of their 
foliage, though apparently of a delicate nature, not 
being, like that of most other Ferns, affected by the 
London fogs. 
Hymenophyllums require but little light and 
only a small depth of soil, as their slender, mostly 
wiry, rhizomes, have the greatest objection to 
being buried. When the plants are cultivated in 
pots or in pans the compost should be made of sandy 
peat, chopped sphagnum, and small pieces of sand- 
stone, in about equal parts, with an additional 
sprinlding of coarse crock dust, the whole being made 
so light and permeable as to be prevented under any 
circumstances from . becoming sour through the 
accumulated moisture resulting from the repeated 
sprinklings and waterings necessary to produce con- 
densation. Some species, especially among the most 
dwarf-growing kinds, succeed best when established 
on a piece of sandstone without any other material. 
Hymenophyllums are propagated but slowly 
by spores — a fact which no doubt accounts for their 
prices remaining higher than those of ordinary 
Ferns. They are, however, commonly increased by 
the division of their rhizomes, an operation which is 
safe enough, although it is one requiring a little 
patience. Draughts must be carefully avoided at 
all times of the year, and air should only be very 
sparingly admitted into the case. 
H. caudiculatum. 
This large, erect-growing species is la mative of Peru, 
Chili, tand Brazil, where it is found growing on mossy trees 
