228 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
treme point. The scales and shining hairs at the 
backs of the leaflets are not quite so thickly 
scattered as in the case of the Oblong Woodsia. 
But the spore clusters are often crowded. 
Both the Oblong and the Alpine Woodsia grow 
on damp rocks, oftentimes inaccessible. In culti- 
vation, the conditions under which they grow in a 
wild state must not be forgotten. They should, 
therefore, whether planted in the cool open rockery, 
in a case, or in pots, be planted amongst blocks of 
stone, as we have recommended in the case of 
Ilvensis . 
The Alpine Woodsia is exceedingly rare. It 
appears to occur in the same districts as those of 
its Oblong relative. But it has been suggested 
that this fern, like many others which are partial 
to almost inaccessible habitats, may not, perhaps 
be so rare as is generally supposed. 
