THE SPLEENW OR TS. 
277 
mould and peat. It loves warmth and excessive 
moisture ; and in the house these conditions are 
supplied if it be kept under a covering of glass. 
We have adopted the plan of devoting a large 
ornamental fern-pan to our specimens, filling up 
with the necessary soil upon a layer of broken 
flower-pot and charcoal. On the top of the 
soil are large pieces of brick and stone, and 
between these our ferns are planted. The 
whole is covered with a large bell glass ; and 
under the same covering we have the Lanceo- 
late Spleenwort and the True Maidenhair. It 
is, in fact, a miniature rockery which we have 
established under glass. Already the moisture 
has coated the bricks and stony surfaces with 
moss and seedling ferns ; and we take a keen 
delight from time to time in uncovering our 
miniature “ Fern Paradise ” to get a brief 
glimpse of the shining fern-fronds, tipped with 
the mimic dewdrops which distil upon them 
in their moist prison. 
