298 ; THE BRITISH FERNS. 
with Blechmum boreale, Lastrea Thelypteris, and the lovely Lady 
Fern would luxuriate: whilst on the borders of the little brook or 
in the centre of the water, the royal Osmunda would raise itself to 
the height of ten or twelve feet, as if conscious of its sovereignty, 
and worthy of the admiration elicited from Sir Walter Scott when 
visiting the Lakes of Killarney. One or two chalk or sand-stone 
caves might be lined internally with the Asplenium marinum, its 
massive dark green and glossy leaves beautifully contrasting with 
the light and elegant foliage of the Maidenhair growing on the top. 
In the more elevated portions, arid fully exposed to light, Allosorus 
crispus, Oystopteris fragilis and the other species and varieties would 
thrive (with the exception of the rare Cystopteris montana, which 
should be planted in reach of the spray); as would Asplenium 
septentrionale and the Woodsias; whilst every chink and crevice 
might be occupied with Polypodium Dryopteris, P. caleareum, P. 
Phegopteris, Asplenium Trichomanes, A. Adiantum-nigrum, A. 
lanceolatum, dec. Such a house might be made very useful in 
determining those varieties of ferns which depend upon varying 
climatal differences, and in limiting the multiplication of species, 
which now appears to be increasing rather too rapidly. A great 
number of the more beautiful or rare British flowering plants might 
be intermixed with the Ferns, and would add greatly to the effect of 
the whole, taking.especial care that each should have the amount of 
light and moisture which it obtains in its natural state. So much: 
for British Ferns and plants; but the time will most assuredly come 
when those citizens of London who now recreate and refresh their 
souls with such a house as is above described, will raise their de- 
sires to the possession of equally beautiful, but much more noble and 
majestic forms ; I mean, particularly those of the Tree Ferns.” 
We have already mentioned that this plant is met with in three 
different forms, one of which is at least sufficiently different to be 
distinguished as a variety :— 
1. Andrewsti (M.). This is analogous to many of the tropical 
forms of the species. Dr. Kinahan is of opinion that it is the nor- 
mal state of the species, that met with at Killarney by which the Irish 

