56 
BRITISH FERNS. 
united into an irregular mass, covering the upper part 
of the segment. 
This fern may be considered a rarity in England, 
but is sometimes met with on old walls and rocks. It 
was described by Hudson as growing near Wybourn, 
in Westmoreland. It formerly grew on the walls of 
Amersham Church, in Buckinghamshire. It has been 
found at Matlock, in Derbyshire, and on a very old 
wall at Tooting* Specimens exist in the collection of 
the Botanical Society of London, said to have been 
gathered in Wharncliffe Wood, in Yorkshire. Through¬ 
out the continent of Europe, chiefly near the sea, in 
Madeira, and northward to the English Channel, this 
fern is found. It is recorded by Pallas as being a 
native of the Ural Mountains, in Siberia. 
In the open air this pretty little fern is not very 
successful, and is exceedingly liable to die off in the 
winter, unless great care with regard to shade, shelter, 
and moisture, be taken ; but under glass, in a Ward’s 
case, or in a greenhouse, there is no difficulty in rear¬ 
ing it. In a small collection it is particularly desir¬ 
able, from its small size and evergreen habit. Sandy 
peat, well drained, suits it best ; and it is well to raise 
the caudex a little above the level of the soil, by means 
of pieces of soft sandstone. 
