THE LADY FERN 
205 
Isles of Arran, Cantire, Harris, Islay, Lewis, Orkney, and 
North Uist. In Ireland it inhabits — being often very plen- 
tiful where it occurs — the counties of Antrim, Clare, Cork, 
Dublin, Galway, and Kerry ; King’s County, Kilkenny, 
Killarney, Louth, Limerick, and Waterford. It also inhabits 
the Channel Islands. 
Culture. — Though one of the most delicately-beautiful of 
our native Ferns, Athi/rium filix-foemina is one of the most 
vigorous growers, and in a certain sense one of the most 
hardy. It will grow anywhere provided it can secure perfect 
shade and abundant moisture — on the open rockery, in pots, 
or under glass. A soil of peat and light sandy loam in equal 
proportions, with a further admixture of leaf-mould equal to 
one-fourth of the whole will admirably answer its require- 
ments. It loves best the foot of a rockery, and it must have 
plenty of room to display its exquisite fronds. Amongst 
stones at the base of a fountain, within reach of the spray, or 
at the shadowy mouth of a grotto or cavern where moisture 
drops upon it, it will find an especially congenial place. If 
kept in a pot the latter should stand in a saucer of water. 
The moist atmosphere of the Fern house, subterranean 
garden, or case, will also promote its vigorous growth, and 
aid its most perfect development. 
