FEKNY COMBES. 
Ill 
Grammitis Ceteroch , and Asplenium Ruta-muraria , 
are among the common dwarf evergreen ferns 
suitable for indoor culture; and among the more 
uncommon, Asplenium lanceolatum , A. viride, Allo- 
sorus crispus , and the three Polyp odiums, Rhego- 
pteris , Dryopteris , and calcareum. The Scolopen- 
driums also, especially the varieties ramosum and 
marginatum , are extremely handsome in cultiva¬ 
tion ; but the gem of all the ferns is the Maiden¬ 
hair, which, even without a glass, in a moderately 
clear atmosphere, attains a size and beauty hardly 
to be rivalled by its foreign relations. 
I have only mentioned the smaller kinds as suit¬ 
able for rooms; but many others, rare and beautiful, 
may be readily grown by those who have a garden 
frame or cool greenhouse at disposal. Depend 
upon it, it is no waste of time to learn how to un¬ 
derstand and enjoy anything in nature. All these 
beautiful forms cannot have been placed before us 
for no object. Perhaps in years to come, when 
lying weary and in suffering on an invalid’s couch, 
we may be glad to turn to beauties we think but 
little of now, and may then learn their use; and 
when sorrow and the petty annoyances of life ha¬ 
rass us, to turn to the pure enjoyments of nature 
may afford us comfort and relief. 
