18 
FERNS : BRITISH AND FOREIGN. 
collected "by tlie Director of tlie Garden, M. Belanger. 
A considerable number of rare species were likewise 
sent from Dominica in 1853, and several following years, 
by Dr. Imray; suck as Hemitelia Imrayana, Neurocallis 
prcesiantissima , Elaphoglossum undulaium, and tbe 
true E. longifolium, &c. While from Trinidad we are 
indebted to the Island botanist, the late Dr. Criiger, 
for Schizcea elegans, Saccoloma clegans, Amphidesmium 
rostratum, E ymenostachys diversifrons, Tricliomanes 
pennatum, and other equally rare species. His suc- 
cessor, Mr. Henry Prcstoe,who previous to his appoint* 
ment last year was foreman of the collection of Ferns 
at Kew, has already transmitted a large collection of 
rare F erns, and in the finest condition, proving that 
they had been collected and put up by one who 
perfectly understood their nature. The situation he 
now holds will enable him to be of great service in 
transmitting new plants to this country. 
Comparatively few, considering the richness of its 
Fern Flora, have been received from tropical America; 
Dr. Gardner and J. Wetkerall, Esq., in Brazil ; H. 
Cadogan Bothery, Esq., in Guiana; Mrs. Colonel 
McDonald, in Honduras; and Mr. Wagener, in Vene- 
zuela, being the principal contributors. 
From the above it will be seen that a large number 
of Ferns have been introduced through the agency of 
the garden at Kew; but, besides these, a very con- 
siderable number are due to the exertions of some of 
our leading nurserymen, who, in consequence of the 
great demand for, and the large prices realized by, the 
finer and rarer species, have imported them, either 
direct from their native countries, or from the Con- 
tinent, where, as will be presently noticed, a good 
