116 FERNS AND FERNERIES. 
pinnae, while that very scarce North American P. Wrightiana is quite at home, producing excellent 
fronds ; and we must not forget a handsome variety of the old P. rotundifolia named cordifolia. The 
pinnae are oblong, cordate at the base, and well developed plants are most attractive. 
A house is devoted to filmy Perns, and here in the greatest luxuriance are the Todeas, excellent 
specimens of superba, Praseri, and pellucida — the latter extremely beautiful. Several species of 
Trichomanes and Hymenophyllum are in excellent condition ; the Killarney Pern is charming, 
especially the variety dissectum. The curious and pretty T. reniforme is also well grown, also the 
rare little T. Petersii of Carolina, and auriculatum, crispum, venosum, and Luschnathianum. Among 
the Hymenophyllums, demissum, flexuosum, pulcherrimum, Tunbridgense, &c., a frame of the latter 
planted out outside is in admirable condition, also frames of Todeas, which were out during the 
winter and subjected to frost, which, however, had no prejudicial effect upon them. 
Davallias are largely grown, and one met with many good things. The useful D. fljiensis is largely 
grown, but as a decorative species this is superseded by its variety plumosa, which produces larger, 
broader, and more copiously divided fronds, and is in every way a more vigorous grower. One very 
distinctive characteristic Mr. J. Birkenhead pointed out was the peculiar disposition of the very scaly 
rhizomes to grow perpendicularly, or nearly so, and not prostrate, as in the normal form, hence good 
plants are attached to portions of stems. D. Kunzei and D. solida are also well grown on blocks of 
cork fastened with copper wire. The rare little D. parvula and D. heterophylla are also very happy, 
as well as.D. hirsuta, D. chaerophylla, and D. bullata. D. Mooreana is largely grown in all stages. 
Space will not permit me to specialise any other genera, but some other varieties can scarcely be 
passed over without notice, and first there is the distinct and beautiful little Aspidium mohrioides— 
a veritable little gem, a picture even of Fern greenery, with its deep green oblong lanceolate fronds 
with densely imbricated segments, coming to us from Patagonia and the Cordilleras of Chili, 
and which is a cool house or case Fern par excellence. While with the Shield Ferns I may 
mention an Indian form of A. falcatum, approaching, but quite distinct from, A. caryotideum ; 
the pinnae are broader across the base, the terminal one especially, and more deeply lobed; 
the apices of the lobes and lateral pinnae are elongated almost caudate— it is a most effective 
kind, but not yet offered for sale. Lastrea Richardsii multifida is a very effective Fern and grown in 
quantit3^ Polypodium glaucophyllum is a very handsome species, the back surface of the fronds 
being very glaucous. A most striking Fern exists under the name of Pleopeltis fossa, producing 
very variable fronds, some simple, others sparingly lobed, while others are freely lobed, the plants 
presenting a very distinct appearance. P. pictus is very handsome, and the rare little Drymoglossum 
piloselloides is very happy grown on blocks. Gymnogramma Wettenalliana is very pretty, and* 
abundantly grown; and we saw the handsome decomposita and the silvery peruviana in the best 
condition. Sadleria cyatheoides and pallida are both rare small Tree Ferns. Denstsedtia davallioides 
Youngi is a very handsome large growing variety, admirably adapted for the embellishment of a 
large rockery. Doryopteris sagittifolia alcyonis is a very distinct and striking Fern, the fronds being 
curiously divided. A. Nephrodium, under the name of N. molle Sangwelli, is, we believe, quite new, 
even to literature— it certainly has some affinity to molle, but the fronds are broadly deltoid, and 
superficially the plant is quite distinct from molle ; a large number of molle corymbiferum are grown, 
a very handsome Fern reproducing itself from spores. One is always reminded of a trite saying, 
which is accredited to Mr. Baker when first examining this form, “ Dear me !— molle is gone mad ! ” 
Hardy Ferns.— These are mainly grown in a branch nursery, but one’s time was far too short, 
and nothing more than a cursory glance was enjoyed, but sufficient to know the collection is very 
rich, composed of thousands of the best varieties, including the North American Osmundas, in grand 
condition, Struthiopteris germanica, broad masses of the Oak Fern, in the happiest luxuriance, the 
Beech and Parsley are also strongly represented. Almost countless are the forms of the Lady Fern, 
Scolopendrium, Polystichum, Lastrasa, and Polypodium, Several houses and frames are crowded 
with them, while broad quarters are planted out beneath small trees. Indeed this as well as the 
other nursery is a real Fern world, where countless differentiations are to be seen and admired. But 
I must leave and draw this imperfect sketch of one of the richest collections of Ferns to a close, by 
strongly urging all Fern lovers to avail themselves of the treat afforded, at Sale ; it feeds the most 
finely strung enthusiasm, a treat greatly enhanced by the hospitality of the Messrs. Birkenhead. I 
may mention a curious instance of Tvy growth to which my attention was drawn by Mr. William 
Birkenhead ; a strong shoot found its way from the outside, through the wall, into the sitting-room, 
where it was encouraged, and has made excellent growth, being trained inside the window. If 
memory serves well I think it has been inside two years. By what method of growth was the shoot 
thus forced through the wall ? Why did it leave the air and sunshine %—Pteris. 
