FERNS, AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 
85 
Yet it may be assumed that the Fern tribe includes some of the most into- 
esting of vegetable objects ; and their interest is chiefly derivable from the tender 
verdure of their foliage, and its remarkably elegant forms, as well as graceful 
disposition. The exquisite green of many Fern-leaves is, indeed, more permanently 
efreshing and delightful to the eye than the most brilliant tints of the flowers on 
ome other plants ; while their charming figures and airy position are also of a 
>articularly pleasing character. 
Ferns are interesting, moreover, on account of their half-epiphytal character, 
nd from the peculiar manner in which their singular inflorescence is borne. This 
;ist is mostly found in small round patches, or long streaks, on the back of the 
eaves, (or fronds, as they are usually called,) and its colour is commonly brown, 
i "he person who knows nothing of botanical structure is often struck with wonder 
n plucking the leaves of a common Fern about the beginning of spring, when he 
bserves rows of brown elevated spots on the under-side of the leaves, those near 
lie top of the leaves being always less forward and less fully developed than those 
t the base. And although no regular arrangement of parts can be traced in these, 
s in the majority of flowers, they are, nevertheless, most certainly the inflorescence 
f the plant, involving the spores or germs of future offspring, and producing 
kind of minute and indescribable seeds, from which young plants may be 
aised. 
! Such is the case, however, with the Polypodiums only, and with most of those 
inds that have their leaves more or less pinnate or divided. Others of them bear 
heir inflorescence in larger and more irregular patches, as the beautiful Acliantum 
ipillus Veneris , common on our old walls. And some, as the Scolopendriums , 
/hich have simple leaves, without any divisions, develop their organs of reprod- 
uction in long continuous lines, parallel with the edges and middle nerve of the 
)aves. A few likewise have the backs of their leaves covered with a lively golden 
r silvery powder. 
The value of Ferns, in ornamental gardening, consists, first, in their intrinsic 
eauty ; and, secondly, in their applicability to specific purposes. They are 
ingularly useful for growing in very shady places, where few other plants 
dll thrive ; for planting on rocks, where they will have but little earth and mois- 
are to support them ; for covering unsightly walls, whether in houses or in the 
pen air ; for suspending in rustic baskets from the roof of a stove ; for planting 
mong trees or shrubs in large conservatories or stoves, to give variety and clothing 
3 the ground ; for putting amongst the pseudo-bulbs of some Orchidacese that are 
eficient in foliage, or, that present too great a mass of naked pseudo-bulbs ; and 
)r enlivening and decorating any rustic work that is made of roots or other old 
mod. We shall notice separately their adaptation for each of these objects, and 
fterwards advert to the necessity for giving them a shady situation, a moist 
tmosphere, and a soil principally composed of vegetable earth, properly drained, 
i order to cultivate them with any degree of success. It will be well, also, to keep 
