Fern cases were very much in vogue some years ago, and this is really a very delightful way of cultivating the plants. Of course, the old Wardian cases can often be picked up at second-hand shops, but one of the simplest devices is formed with the aid of a cloche similar to those commonly used in French gardening. It is only necessary to have a zinc, or a galvanized tray on which to stand the glass in an inverted position. Some means or other should be devised for the drawing off of the superfluous water from the tray, and the simplest of all is to arrange a hole which can be stopped with a cork. Broken crocks should be strewn upon the tray, and on to this is heaped peaty soil mixed with sand. A few small rocks of some soft stone may be added, and in between these the Ferns are planted. Of course, the Filmy Ferns (_Hymenophyllum_) and the Bristle Ferns are good subjects, but many other species may be grown with great success in this way. The two chief dangers are a very rank growth, by means of which the stronger subjects overwhelm the less vigorous plants, and too much moisture. Where the dampness is excessive the fronds take on an unhealthy appearance, and mould may appear. The case should at such times be opened for a few hours each day to admit the drying air. The case may be kept in a light position, and when once under way it will rarely need any additional water. A very interesting practice is the raising of young Ferns from spores. This is really a very simple undertaking, and almost always meets with success if the precaution is taken to sterilize the soil used by baking it in an oven. Afterwards it is, of course, necessary to moisten the mould, and the spores are then scattered on the surface. Keep closely covered with a bell glass and, in a few weeks, more or less, the baby Ferns will start to put in an appearance. Those who take up the cultivation of British Ferns will certainly become interested in the immense range of varieties which some species have produced. Not a few of these are extremely beautiful, and are well worth growing on this account, quite apart from their peculiarity. INDEX A _Acrosticheæ_, 10 Adder’s Tongue, 11 _Adiantum capillus-veneris_, 9, 41 Algae, 1 Alpine Club Moss, 105 Alpine Polypody, 92 Alpine Woodsia, 61 Alternate-leaved Spleenwort, 69 Alternation of generation, 2 Annual Maidenhair, 10, 100 Annulus, 8, 14 Antheridia, 17 Archegonia, 17 _Aspidieæ_, 10, 46 _Aspidium aculeatum_, 59 _angulare_, 60 _filix-mas_, 46 _lonchitis_, 57 _Asplenieæ_, 10, 66 _Asplenium adiantum-nigrum_, 10, 73 _bulbiferum_, 3 _ceterach_, 77 _filix-fæmina_, 66 _germanicum_, 69 _lanceolatum_, 74 _marinum_, 75 _ruta-muraria_, 10, 70 _septentrionale_, 68 _trichomanes_, 78 _viride_, 80 _Athyrium filix-fæmina_, 10, 66 _Azolla_, 7, 12, 110