CULTIVATION. 
339 
moisture-loving Fern stands pre-eminent, even sur- 
passing in size and luxuriance tliose in their native 
retreats. A familiar example of opposite nature to 
the preceding is our native species Asplenium septcn- 
trionale , confined to northern localities, generally 
growing on rocks and insinuating its delicate roots in 
the deep crevices and among the debris of irregular 
shelvings and prominences, not receiving any apparent 
injury from the rigour of winter or the scorching 
heat of summer. Although such is its hardy nature, 
it nevertheless does not flourish when taken from its 
native rocks and brought under artificial cultivation. 
What has been stated regarding the shade and 
moisture -loving Trichomanes, and the rock-loving 
Asplenia, may be viewed as the extremes in the nature 
of those Ferns that do not readily conform to ordinary 
cultivation; but, on the other hand, the greater 
number are not particular in their choice of place of 
growth, either in a wild state or under cultivation. 
Examples may be cited of species conforming to the 
most untoward and varying influences ; for instance, 
the common h.art > s-tongu.e¥evn(Scolopendriumvulgare) 
maintains itself in situations of the most opposite 
kind, having great predilection for the works of man, 
whether elevated in the air or sunk below the surface 
of the earth; such as stone, brick, or turf walls, 
embankments, hedge-banks and road-sides, pits, 
quarries, or deep open wells. In either place it multi- 
plies freely, conforming itself to the various atmo- 
spheric changes to which those situations are liable. 
Such being the case, it is not surprising to find it 
assume different sizes and forms ; in dry places it is 
only a few inches in height, while in open wells, such 
z 2 
