310 
HYMENOPHYLLACEiE. 
tion in doing this is perhaps a good one — that of preserving in 
Ireland this interesting species — yet I fear it will scarcely meet 
with the approbation of botanists generally. To conclude my 
notice of the Killarney district, I may state that several botanists 
visiting that neighbourhood subsequently to the meeting of the 
British Association in 1843, found this fern in a great number 
of localities : these, however, they decline giving to the public, 
fearing lest such publication should lead to its extermination. 
Mr. S. P. Woodward informs me that Dr. Taylor has discovered 
a station at Gortagaree, between Killarney and Kenmare ; Mr, 
Moore has found it at Mount Eagle, near Dingle ; and Mr. An- 
drews at Blackstones, in Glouin Caragh : for Kerry specimens 
and much valuable information respecting them, 1 am indebted 
to Mr. Andrews, Mr. Foote, Mr. Ogilby, Mr. Mackay, Mr. Moore, 
Mr. Dennes and Mr. Pamplin. Mr. Andrews and Mr. Foote 
were travelling in company, when the former discovered the 
Blackstones locality. “ It was growing in a wild and romantic 
cave, the rocky walls of which had been for ages covered with 
a drapery of the overlapping fronds, hundreds of which, hanging 
gracefully down, formed a pendulous mass of the loveliest green, 
which contrasted strikingly with the sombre hue of the Killar- 
ney plant : the rhizomata, spread over the moist surface of the 
rock, formed a reticulated and tenacious covering.” These 
gentlemen left it in all its beauty for other visitors, who, like 
themselves, might hold such a scene as too beautiful for destruc- 
tion, but alas ! their example has been unheeded. Mr. Andrews 
continues, in September last a ruthless botanical pirate, who 
discovered the spot, tore the ferns from their retreat, and frac- 
tured the hard surface of the rock, that not a vestige of the 
plant might again rear itself.” 
Wicklow. — I am informed by Mr. W. Thompson that, ac- 
cording to the MSS. of the late Mr. Templeton, this fern was 
first found in Ireland by Dr. Whitley Stokes, at Powerscourt 
waterfall, in this county : at no time did it exist here in any 
quantity. Mr. Mackay informs me he has seen a single plant 
here as well as at Hermitage glen, also in this county, where it 
was first found by Mr. Nuttal. I believe many years have elapsed 
since any botanist has found it in this locality. 
