THE SEA SPL 
WORT 
ised pieces of stone or brick. The soil, which should be used when neither wet nor dry, should be 
made firm, being then less subject to alternations of moisture. Unless the pots become filled with 
roots, 50 that more nourishment is required by the plants—and this is generally evidenced. 
у the 
plants drying. 
pidly compared with others not so circumstancod—the less the soil or the plant ік 
disturbed the better, so long as the former continues in a freo healthy state. If it becomes soddened 
with water, as sometimes happens from the drai 
becoming choked, from careless watering, or from 
the plants standing under a drip, then the 
ts should be repotted, so as to rectify the evil, No 
Ferns, on the other hand, like to bo kept dry at the root ; but they should have such supplies of water 
as will keep the soil j 
4 moistened thoroughly. А шо 
ately damp and rather sha 
ly situation is 
most congenial to the growth of the fronds ; no situation being more suitable for the progress of the 
plants than a cold close shady frame or pit, from which frost is just excluded. The pla 
with tolerable facility by division. When obtained from their wild localities, the roots are often much 
damaged in detaching the plants from the rocks to which they eling, and in 
uch eases they require 
some care to. 
them established. It is better in cases of this kind to choose small compact plants іш 
renco to larger ones. Once established, they grow readily, and may then be inereased by dividing 
the crowns at the 
е of repotting, which is best done in spring. 
There are some very curious vari 
ions of this plant now known ; for the most part, however, there 
is no evidence of their eonstaney. 
1. acutum (ML). Instead of the usual obtuse or at most bluntly tapering apex of the pinne, 
in this 
ly narrowed to а point; the pinna being also generally elongated. This form occurs 
chiefly in the west of England and in the Channel Islands, 
2. dichotomum (W.). An inconstant 
on, in which the apex of the frond is forked. 
3. ramosum (УУ) 
ıe chief peculiarity in this variety is that the fronds are branched, or more 
frequently paired. The pinnas are undulato-crenate, slightly lobate, with blunt teeth, The venules 
appear more clavate than usual. It is a rare form, and was found in 1850 by Mr, Wollaston, in Dorse 
shire ; since that time it has retained its character. A similar plant has been sent to us from Totnes, 
4. trapeziforme (Clapham). The fronds of this variety are r 
t and leathery, the pinnae nearly 
trapeziform, imbricate, and erenulate. Tt was found by Mr. Clapham, at Scarborough, Yorkshire, and is 
a permanent form. 
5. crenatum (М). This is remarkable for its short, obtuse, oblique, trapeziform pinn 
rownd the mar 
in with small but deep roundish crenatures. It occurs in a stone quarry, near 
Warrington, and has been communicated by Mr. T. G, Rylands. 
6. cuneatum (М). T 
s is peculiar from the absence of the aurieuliform projection usual at 0 
anterior base, the base of the pinnw being truly wedge-shaped ; the pi 
aro oblong, with deep sharp 
uneven serratures. It was found by Dr. Allchin at Black Head, Clare, Irel: 
7. microdon (М), This is the most remarkable variety with whi 
we are acquainted, and but for a 
repugnanee to add to the number of dubious species, we should be tempted to consider it distinct, Its 
chief points of discrepancy are its sub-membranaccous texture, its undulately-lobed pinnas its 
denticulated margi д, which 
id small patent apiculated teeth ; and. 
small dispersed 
disposition follow rather the margin than the midrib, and in their shortness and paucity of spore-ca 
bear no comparison with those of any British Asplenium at all resembling the present plant. It 
resembles A, marinum 
its scaly crown, pinnate fronds, and winged rachis, It is not so much 
divided as A. Zanesolatum, or A. oboratum, from which also it differs in other respects. We are 
inclined to think it will prove really distinct when better known. It is a native of Guernsey, and 
has been fo 55) first by Miss Wilkinson, and subsequently in other 
nd during the past year ( 
and Mr, С, Jackson, to the latter of who 
stations hy Miss Mansell, of the Quesne, 
for specimens, and for our knowle 
of the plant. Mr. Jackson informs us that it grows on 
