THE BLACK MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT 
Venation of the secondary basal pinnules in the tripinnate fronds, and of the primary basal 
р 
out а vein towards each marginal tooth. If the pinnule is not deeply lobed, and the teeth а 
nules in the bipinnate fronds, consisting of a flexuous midvein, which, by a series of furcations, sends 
re simple, 
these veins are also simple, and bear the 
rus on their lower half, commencing just above their base 
and extending half-way to the margin. If the pinnule is lobed below, one vein goes off to each lobe 
and divides into venules corresponding to the number of marginal teeth, one or two of these venules 
in the principal lobes hearing a sorus ; the smaller lobes are occupied by one fureation of the vein 
these veins, however, bear on their anterior side a long linear sorus, which commences near the 
mich 
of the pi nd extends beyond the point of furcation. The venules extend within the 
serratures, but not quite to their apex. 
Fructification throughout the back of the frond. Sori linear elongate, indusiate, on the anterior 
side and near the base of the veins, and therefore central with respect to 
soon becoming confluent. udwsiwm linear, entire, pallid, semi-transparent, and apparently violaceous 
from the dark colour of the sporo-eases showing through it. Spore-cases globose, shining brown. 
Spores ovate, angular, roughish. 
Duration, "The caudex is perennial. "he fronds are persistent through the winter, so that the plant 
is evergreen, and they are renewed annually late in spring. 
From A. Jancenlatum, which it most resembles, the Black Spleenwort may be known by its long 
stalked triangular fronds and elongated central sori, and almost always by 
lower pinnae ; its surface is also of a more glossy texture 
Tt is a very 
-namental species, and thrives moderately well under cultivation, if planted in a sandy 
soil, well supplied with drainage material, so that water does not stagnate about it. For outdoor 
rockwork modera 
well adapted on account of its shining ever 
appearance ; and if p 
ted in porous soil among stones on a north aspect, it will generally flourish, 
It does not like a smoky confined situation, and is therefor 
«s frequently seen in a thriving stato in 
town gardens. It may be increased by division 
‘The Obtuse Black Spleenwort—A. Avtayrus-sicnum onrosew —(Ртлтк XXXVI, C, D) should 
perhaps be considered rather as a less developed condition than as a variety, it being united by 
various gradations with the more deve 
4 plant, which we have taken as the representative of the 
species; nevertheless, its extreme states seem to claim especial notice. It is a comparatively small 
nd dwarf plant, and assumes an ovate rather than a 
angular outline, Some specimens are not 
more than two inches high, and others very marked in character are six or eight inches high. ‘The 
smaller specimens are barely bipinnate, the pinn short and bluntly triangular, the pinnules roundish 
obovate, and very indistinctly toothed. ‘The larger examples are tripinnate, with their primary and 
secondary pinnules corresponding with the pinna» and pinnules of the small specimens. Tt is probably 
not uncommon, specimens from the three kingdoms being before us. 
‘The Acute Spleenwort—A. Avraxtew-xionew acorem—(Prare XXXVIL) is a more distinct plant, 
and might perhaps be separated from A. Adiantum-nigram without much inconvenience or error 
‘There are, however, connecting links, which, in a botanieal point of view, seem to indicate too close an 
aflinity to favour the separation of the two, and suggest rather the idea that the one is the extreme 
development of the other, ‘The texture of the plant is firmer and less coriaceous than the us 
states of A. Adiantum-nigrum, but some forms of the latter are undistinguishable in this respect. "Ше 
caudex is short, thick, and tufted, like that of A. Adiantum-nigrum, with which it also agrees in being 
furnished at the crown and on the base of the stipes with cellulosely reticulated scales, lanceolate 
below and ending in a hair-like point, as well as having elongated dark purplish brown stipes. The 
fronds in the Irish specimens vary from about six to eighteen inches in length including the stipes, 
are from about two and a half to seven or eight inches across the 
of the leafy portion; in 
