362 
FERNS : BRITISH AND FOREIGN. 
decumbent or creeping species, sucb as S. serpens, 
S. uncinata, S. Galiottii , &c., are examples. The 
latter delight in a light soil, composed of fibry peat 
and well-decomposed leaf-soil, free from pieces of 
wood (as it generates fungi), with a little sand inter- 
mixed, and require a depth of only about two inches 
in ordinary round pans, with ample drainage. If, 
however, good specimens are desirable, with an 
arrangement on a bench or low shelf, square pans 
about twice their height at the back as in front, are in 
every way preferable, and as at Kew, arranged alter- 
nately with the cases of Hymenophgllce, with which 
they harmonize. The former-mentioned species, on 
account of their robust habit and strong rooting cha- 
racter, require the shallow pot, and a similar soil as for 
the last, but with a small proportion of light loam. 
The magnificent Selaginella Icevigata, if supported by 
wires against a wall, becomes, in a remarkably short 
time, the loveliest object to be found in a Fernery. 
The species of the Eosulate section differ from the rest 
of the genus in having erect, fasciculate vernation, the 
frondules rising from a central developing axis, and, 
as in S. lepidoplrylla, spreading out nearly horizontal, 
and overlapping one another, forming a beautiful 
green rosette, about six inches in diameter ; when dry, 
they turn upwards and inwards in an involute manner, 
the whole mass of the plant thus forming a firm ball, 
which, on becoming moist, again expands ; and even 
perfectly dead plants, when expanded, seem as if alive. 
In that respect being analogous to that of the insig- 
nificant cruciferous plant called the Bose of Jericho 
( Anastatica Jiierochuntica) : hence the balls of this 
Selaginella are frequently met with in curiosity-shops. 
