382 
FERNS : BRITISH AND FOREIGN. 
durable example of tlie manner in which many species 
of Ferns and Aroiclece clotlie tlie trunks of trees in 
tropical forests; also several species of epiphytal 
woody plants may be introduced with good effect, 
such as Tanoecium parasiticum , Marcgravia umbellata, 
Norantca coccinea, Soyas, and other creepers not 
subject to be infested with insects. The species of 
Phymatodes, Pleopeltis, Davallia, and several allied 
genera, as also Polybotrya an d $Zenoc7t Zmn a, will luxuriate 
over the moist surfaces and form a compact mass ; and, 
if planted near the wall, direct their rhizomes upwards, 
and the plants will quickly assume a most elegant 
appearance. The grand and beautiful Schellolepis 
verrucosa, and its allies, should be placed in elevated 
positions, as their fronds are long and pendulous. 
Elevated positions will also be found for the species of 
Platy cerium, the grand Drynaria Seraclea, and S. coro- 
nans : the latter is remarkable in its thick rhizome, 
progressing in a circular direction round trees, which, 
with the erect, broad, rigid fronds, gives the idea of a 
coronet or crown; this circular direction appears to 
be normal. A fine plant at Kew, in the course of eight 
years, grown in a shallow pot, formed a circle more 
than a foot in diameter. For that portion of the 
terrestrial group composed of stronger growing spe- 
cies, such as Pliegopterideoe, Pteridece, Asplenieoe, &c., 
for which firmer soil is necessary, the ordinary surfaces 
of the rockery offer most suitable positions, arranged 
there in a manner as their sizes indicate, so as to be 
in harmony with those of smaller size around them. 
It is perhaps essential to note that the Gymnogramma, 
Clieilanthes, and their allies, require a place in the 
F ernery, the lightest and best drained ; therefore 
