CULTIVATION. 
337 
dry zone of Northern Africa, and few have as yet 
been recorded from the interior of Australia ; while, 
on the contrary, on elevated coast-ridges and islands, 
they form a large proportion of the entire Flora. 
They are the most numerous, both in regard to genera 
and species, in the tropical regions, where, too, a 
greater number of individual plants are to be found 
than in temperate regions.* 
On reviewing the above, it may readily be supposed 
that the varied influences under which Exotic Ferns 
naturally grow, necessitate various kinds of treatment 
for cultivating and preserving them in this country ; 
but such is not the case. As might be expected, 
our native representatives (although only forty-two 
in number) have received special attention. We have 
Fern Tourists in plenty; almost every spot of our 
country, where are conditions congenial to their 
development, has become more or less familiar to 
those who take an interest in their study — in the 
damp shady glen, the wildest wood, banks of streams, 
mountain-sides, whether it be in their sheltered easy 
.slopes, or in the almost inaccessible craggy steeps. 
Indeed, so diligently have the Fern explorings been 
carried on, that numerous curious and beautiful 
varieties, highly prized in our gardens, have been 
found. But, however laudable and agreeable Fern- 
growing may be, yet it is to be regretted that it leads 
to the extinction of some of our rarest native species. 
Even the more common are becoming scarce in locali- 
ties within easy reach ; great quantities being yearly 
# Want of space prevents me entering more fully into the 
history of geographical distribution. 
z 
