ON GROWING PLANTS AS EPIPHYTES. 
19 
its roots from being injured ; which must always be borne in mind when dealing 
with other plants ; and at first it is desirable to prevent their being exposed, as the 
plant being altogether subjected to new conditions, it is apt to receive a check that 
it is well to guard against. By cutting the Fern roots open in several directions, 
and laying in those of the plant, or spreading them over its surface, and covering 
them with living mosses, mischief ensuing from the last causes may be counteracted. 
The plant of Mehmea just referred to, after being secured in a manner conform- 
able with these directions, was suspended in the Orchidaceous house, where it grew 
in the manner we have stated. It was not the only Bromeliaceous plant so evidently 
benefited by being treated as an Epiphyte ; Pitcairnea puniceus was rendered 
equally interesting, as also several other species of the same order. 
Columnea grandiflora, a plant very sparingly producing flowers, and, from its 
unaccommodating stiff branches, and formal habit, not easily induced to wear a pleas- 
ing aspect, on being placed under similar circumstances to those applied to M. fulgens 
grew and flowered in a very surprising manner ; under this method of management, 
it is placed wholly in the power of the cultivator as regards the disposal of its 
branches. 
Juanulloa parasitica, to the probability of which being for the reception of water, 
and which is under every controul, so that at pleasure it can be dispensed with, or 
employed. 
In speaking of heating apparatus, we may remark, that to such a degree of 
perfection, as regards their effectual nature, the simplicity of their construction, and 
the ease with which they are managed, are they brought, as to leave scarcely any- 
thing further to be desired. 
Shading from the effects of a burning sun and strong light, is of great assist- 
ance in preserving suitable conditions for the growth of Epiphytes, in the structures 
in which they are placed. In short, it is at once a necessary practice, not only because 
it enables a suitable state of atmosphere to be much more easily maintained, but 
it preserves the roots, which, in a healthy state of things, are on every side exposed, 
from being injured by scorching ; it also permits them to carry on their functions, 
which they would not be able to do in strong light. 
A material in which the roots of Epiphytes are commonly placed before the 
plants are suspended, is Sphagnum moss, put in wire baskets : other mosses are also 
sometimes used ; they are frequently attached to naked blocks of wood ; in other 
instances these latter are employed, and living mosses placed over the roots of the 
plants attached to them. 
The material principally employed by us, consists of the large rhizomes of the 
common Ferns, with their fibrous roots adhering to them. The best are the 
rhizomes of the female Fern, Asplenium Filix-fcemina, in point of durability, which 
is of great importance ; they may be compared to masses of fine wire, so tough and 
lasting are they ; and in their fitness for the roots of plants to enter, and the 
manner in which they are acted upon by moisture, they resemble fibrous peat. The 
