THE FORKED SPLEENWORT 
narrow, linear, tapering towards both ends; the forked ones indefinite in form, and apparently one- 
sided, one of the divisions being smaller than the other, and looking like a lateral branch without a 
balancing branch from the other side of the rachis, The lobes are sometimes so much separated as to 
like distinct pinna: 
which enters from the 
Venation consisting of two or three series of fureate divisions of the rein 
base, one of the venules extending to cach of the teeth, there being no midvein. 
ongate, on the inner side of two or three of. 
Fructification on the back of the frond, Sori linear, © 
го often opposite and coi 
ices they а 
the few venules, and opening towards the centre ; towards the 
tiguous almost as in Scolopendrium in consequence of the narrowness of the parts; and bein 
in Acrostichum, but 
with numerous spore-eases, they become confluent, and appear to be universal as 
these are mere similarities, Zndusium linear, entire. Spore-cases roundish-obovate, dark-brown. 
‘Spores, roundish-oblong, slightly muriculate 
Duration. The caudex is perennial, The fronds are persistent; the plant is, therefore, an 
‘This plant may be distinguished at first sight by its tufted grassy aspect, From its ally A. germanium, 
botanists would consider a variety of it, the Forked Spleenwort may be known by its fronds 
ler 
being either simple, with mere lobes, or forked with two distinet branches, each like its own smi 
fronds, and never being regularly pinnate as is A. germanicum. Tt is also narrower in its parts, with 
the texture thicker and I 
s in the case of the allied species, many persons fail to cultivate this Fern with success. Tho 
failure probably arises from the use of fine soil in too lange masses, Naturally this is a rupestral plant 
md this condition should be imitated by its being planted among masses of porous sandstone, in the 
interstices of which only, a little sandy soil should be placed. It would no doubt be also an advantage to, 
low the upper fragment of stone 
plant somewhat horizontally rather than too strietly vertical ; and to 
M to serve as a shade to the erown from the sun's rays, these latter in 
employed, to be large enou 
too powerfully on the soil contained in small pots. ‘This amount of shade would admit 
of the plants being kept in a more exposed situation than is usually safe, from the cause just referred 
to; and thus the evils arising from close dampness and want of ventilation would be remedied. ‘The 
exposure, however, must be modified judiciously : for instance, a greenhouse where the atmosphere 
is dried and moistened daily, would probably be found congenial; or a cold frame well aired, and 
slightly shaded, might with advantage be substituted for the closer frame and denser shade, which is 
my Ferns do not need so much shade as is given in a general collection, to suit 
more usual, Certainly m 
shade afforded by а lump of stone on the sun 
the more tender kinds; and the parti yy side of the. 
crown of a small Fern would be more congenial to many of the mural or rupestral species, than 
а more general exclusion of the sun's r atson notices that the young fronds are easily 
damaged by frost. 
