326 Choice Ferns for Amateurs. 
Most Woodsias are found in cold and temperate 
nlimates. North America is particularly rich in 
them, and the genus is well represented in Great 
Britain by two species, TF. hyperhorea and W . 
ilvensis, both of which are of particularly distinct 
character, and rank among the rarest of our native 
Ferns. As a rule, Woodsias may be said to flourish 
where but little soil is allowed around their roots, 
in crevices of damp rocks, or upon the rocks them- 
selves, generally in fairly exposed situations. They 
are well adapted for growing in small intermediate 
and hardy Ferneries, where they form suitable com- 
panions to Asplenivm Ruta-muraria, A, Ceterach, 
A. Trichomanes, &c., and they may also be suc- 
cessfully cultivated in pots. They require a very 
open soil, composed of turfy peat and light loam in 
equal parts, with a free admixture of finely-broken 
charcoal, sandstone, or silver sand. Thorough 
drainage is essential, and the crowns of the plants 
should be kept above the soil and surrounded by a 
few small stones : the effect of this arrangement is 
to keep the roots in a permanently moist state with- 
out using much water, as they are particularly 
averse to stagnant moisture. 
Woodsias are usually increased by the division 
of their crowns, an operation which is attended with 
most satisfactory resiUts when performed during 
their resting period — from- November to March. 
They may also be propagated by means of their 
spores, which are produced in abundance and ger- 
minate freely, especially when sown in a tempera- 
ture, of GSdeg. to TOdeg^ 
W. alpina. 
A garden name for W. hyperhorea. 
W. g:labella. 
This pretty little, delicate-looking Fern, according to 
Baker, may be a smooth form of W. hyperhorea. It is 
essentially a North American plant. 
W. hyperhorea. 
This species, known also in gardens under the name 
of TF. aljnna, has a remarkahly wide range of habitat, 
being found in the Arctic regions and on high mountains 
