Todea 
373 
It was then the miracle happened. The beautiful 
green plume was as fresh as if it had just been gathered, 
not a withered or bruised leaflet ; it was one of the pleas- 
antest surprises I ever experienced. Mr. Birch lost no 
time in taking the photographs. 
Thus were our efforts, threatened with failure, first 
by an inconsiderate landslip and then by the obstinacy 
of an intractable guard, crowned with success. 
It is a difficult fern to transplant. Young plants may 
be coaxed to grow if kept in a still, moist atmosphere 
under good shade, but the surest plan is to grow from 
seed in a Wardian case. 
Such is the fame of this splendid fern, the apprecia- 
tion in which it is held, that it is often found in the fern- 
eries of Europe. Imagine my astonishment on entering 
a private house in Carlisle, Cumberland, to behold fine 
specimens of this fern growing in a Wardian case in the 
hall. 
It is confined to New Zealand. 
