So 
BRITISH FERNS. 
phyllum tunbridgense that we can hardly consider it as 
such, and it requires a practised observer to make the 
distinction insisted on by botanists. It is found in the 
same districts, and often accompanies it. Perhaps, 
however, the variety is the more common in Scotland 
and in Ireland than the original fern. The principal 
characters of distinction are found in the fructification. 
The cups or seed-vessels are larger, the valves more 
rounded, meeting by their edges, not compressed 
toward the apex, and never serrated. The darker 
green hue and coarser texture of the plant will gene¬ 
rally enable the collector to distinguish this variety. 
The pinnae also are turned back in a direction contrary 
to the fructification. 
Mr. Newman gives ample directions for the culti¬ 
vation of this fern and the preceding species, and 
suggests that it be grown on the surface of an inverted 
flower-pot, well covered with a composition of silver 
sand, peat earth, and loam, resembling mortar, the 
flower-pot being first filled with wet sphagnum, and 
mounted into a saucer, likewise filled with sphagnum. 
The luxuriant growth of the fern is almost certain in 
this way. Both these ferns are very suitable for 
closed cases, and do well in them ; but we are advised 
by those who have tried the experiment, to have two 
small apertures near the top of the glass shade, so as 
To prevent any retention of stagnant moisture. Mr. 
Clowes, whose culture of these ferns has been very 
successful, says that he has observed that the fronds 
