THE NATURAL HOME OF THE FERNS 53 
in my pocket dry for a month and when found resembled a 
small bulb, but when placed in moist conditions it at once 
started into growth, and soon developed into a nice healthy 
plant. 
Most of the carroid kinds are also specially adapted for 
their conditions, either by being clothed in scales or hairs, or 
by being thick and leathery. 
Many ferns are subject to being burned in annual grass- 
fires without being seriously damaged. All the kinds that 
grow in the forest outskirts are included among these, such as 
Mohria cajfrorum , Pteridium aquilinum , Dryopteris elongata , 
Pellaea viridis , and Blechnum tabulare. The latter species 
has its crown protected by a dense clothing of scales, and the 
undeveloped fronds are protected while the mature fronds are 
burned off. This is the case frequently also with the large 
tree fern, Cyathea Dregei. 
All ferns growing among exposed rocks, mostly Pellaea, 
Cheilanthes and Mohria , are very subject to fire, but seem to 
be able to survive. 
A good many ferns are epiphytal, and many grow on soil 
collected into decayed tree stumps, or such localities. The 
epiphytal condition gives the most perfect moisture and 
drainage arrangement — always moisture available, seldom 
too much, and then not for long ! 
Moisture and drainage is the secret also of the existence 
of the rock ferns ; none are more difficult to cultivate than 
these, because excess water supply is seldom provided against, 
whereas in nature it does not occur. 
With most other ferns light open soil conditions suit them 
best, but there are a few swamp ferns which demand wet, 
stiff clay and seldom succeed without it. 
The filmy ferns are among the most beautiful, but require 
conditions specially adapted to their delicate texture. Damp 
rocks below a waterfall, damp stones in dense forest, or humus 
on an old stump, are the sites in which they do best. 
The fern allies have each its own requirement, which will 
be noted in connection with the species. 
In trying to allocate each species to certain known areas, 
