H 



THE SEA SPLEENWORT. 



raised pieces of stone or brick. Tlie soil, which should l>o used when neither wet nor dry. should bo 

 made firm, being then less subject to alternations of moisture. Unless the pots become filled with 

 roots, so that more nourishment is required by the plants— and this is generally evidenced by the 

 plants drying rapidly compared with others not so circumstanced— the less the soil or the plant is 

 disturbed the bettor, so long as the former continues in a free healthy slate. If it becomes soddened 

 with water, as sometimes happens from the drainage becoming choked, from careless watering, or from 

 the plants standing under a drip, then the plants should be repotted, so as to rectify the evil No 

 Perns, 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 just moistened thoroughly. A moderately damp and rather shady situation is 

 most congenial to the growth of the fronds ; no situation being more suitable for the progress of tlio 

 plants than a cold close shady frftmo or pit> from which frost is just excluded. The plants increase 

 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 cling, and in such cases they require 

 some care to get them established. It is bettor in cases of this kind to choose small compact plants in 

 preference to larger ones. Once established, they grow readily, and may then bo increased by dividing 

 the crowns at the time of repotting, which is best done in spring. 



There are some very curious variations of this plant now known ; for (he most part, however, there 

 is no evidence of their constancy. 



1. aculum (M.). Instead of the usual obtuse or at most bluntly tapeiing apex of the pimm-, it is 

 in this gradually narrowed to a point; the pinna; being also generally elongated. This form occurs 

 chiefly in the west of England and in the Channel Islands. 



2. dfehatoMum <W.). An inconstant variation, in which the aj>cx of the frond is forked. 



3. ramwnm (W.). The chief peculiarity in this variety is that the fronds arc branched, or more 

 frequently paired. The pinna; are umlulalo-crenate, slightly lobntc, with blunt teeth. The venules 

 appear more clavate than usual. It is a rare forai, and was found in 1850 by Mr. Wollaston, in Dorset- 

 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 robust and leathery, the pininc nearly 

 trapeziform, imbricate, and crcnulate. It was found by Mr. Clapham, at Scarborough, Yorkshire, and is 

 a permanent form. 



5. crettatum (M.>. This is remarkable for its short, obtuse, oblique, trapeziform pinna*, evenly notched 

 round the margin with small but deep roundish denatures. It occurs in a stone quarry, near 

 Warrington, and has been communicated by Mr. T. G. Rylands. 



6. cuneatum (M.). This is peculiar from the absence of the auriculiform projection usual at the 

 anterior base, the base of the pinna being truly wedge-shaped ; the pinme arc oblong, with deep sharp 

 uneven scrratures. It was found by Dr. AUcItin at Black Head, Clare, Ireland. 



7. micrwltm (31.). This is the most remarkable variety with which we are acquainted, and but for a 

 repugnance to add to the number of dubious species, we should be tempted to consider it distinct. Its 

 chief points of discrepancy are its sub-membranaceous texture, its imdiilatoly-lobcd pinnre, its 

 denticulated margin, and small patent apiculated teeth ; and its small dispersed son, which in their 

 disposition follow rather the margin than the midrib, and in their shortness and paucity of sjiore-cases 

 bear no comparison with those of any British Aspleuium at all resembling the present plant It 

 resembles A.marinum in its scaly crown, pinnate fronds, and winged racing. It is not so much 

 divided as A, lanwotatum, or A. obocalum, from which also it differs in other resjvects. We are 

 inclined to think it will prove really distinct when letter known. It is a native of Guernsey, and 

 has been found during the past year (1855) tirst by Miss Wilkinson, and .subsequently in other 

 stations by Miss Alansoll, of the Quesne, and Mr, C. Jackson, to the latter of whom we are indebted 

 for specimens, and for our knowledge of the plant* Mr- Jackson informs ns that it grows on 





im 



