
296 THE BRITISH FERNS. 
possession of R. Callwell, Esq., of Dublin, whose account is so 
interesting that I copy it verbatim :— 
“< In the spring of 1843, I received a small portion of rhizome, 
about five or six inches long, with one frond partially developed, 
and one other just appearing, which I placed in a bell-glass about 
fifteen inches diameter. In December, 1846, it quite filled the 
glass, and in that month I removed it into a case three feet ten 
inches by two feet six inches, and three feet four inches in height; 
the space under this, about twelve inches in depth, was filled with 
upturned flower-pots, charcoal, cocoa-nut husks, and light earth and 
peat. The plant now [1852] nearly fills this case. It is difficult 
to count the fronds accurately, but, as nearly as Ï ean count them, 
they number two hundred and thirty or upwards, of fully-developed 
fronds ; the length of the fully-opened fronds being from fourteen 
to twenty and a-half inches, taking the length from the end of the 
stem, where it starts from the rhizome, to the point of the frond. 
When removing it to the present case, in December, 1840, I cut 
away five or six fronds which had been injured by contact with the 
glass, but since that time not one of the fronds then existing, nor 
any of those since formed, have shown any symptoms of decay. 
As to the general treatment: having originally provided well for 
perfect drainage, I carefully sprinkle the surface of the fronds with 
water once or twice a week in summer, and less frequently in winter, 
and keep the door of the case (which is very close) always shut, the 
drainage-valve underneath always open. The case stands in a 
vestibule with nearly west aspect, quite sheltered from the south by 
the house, which is much higher than the vestibule. I strongly 
think that much of my success is due to the fact that the light 1s 
much subdued by shining through coloured glass windows (chiefly 
brown and orange). The general appearance of the plant is quite 
natural the fronds bending down mostly. About three years ago, 
I placed, for experiment, a small portion of the rhizome with one 
open frond, on a block, and hung it up in the case: It has now 
nineteen expanded fronds, varying from nine to twelve inches in 
length, the rhizome having crept all round the block, and thrown 
down abundance of roots five or six inches long. I have not found 
any other Fern to thrive, or even to live, in this case except Asple- 

