THE GREEK SPLEEKWORT. 



marked by an elevation on tlic upper surface. On the anterior side of the vein, opposite the furcation 

 and extending below it when forked, and near to the midrib when the veins are simple, the sori are 

 produced 



Fructification more copious on the upper part of the frond, ff&ri linear oblique, contiguous to the 

 inidvein and soon Incoming confluent, indiisiate. Indusium narrow, crenated on the free margin. 

 Spore-cases globose. SpOTti angular, rough. 



Duration. Tho caudex is perennial. The fronds are produced in spring, and remain fresh through 

 the winter, the plant thus being evergreen, 



Though similar to A. Trichomanw. this plant may be distinguished by its green rachis, by its more 

 delicate herbaceous texture, by the absence of a slender raised bonier to the anterior face of the rachis, 

 and by the more contra! situation of the sori, which are placed rather below than above the fork of the 



veins. It is always of a much paler colour. 



At home on the mountain sides of tho north tliis delicate species does not bear so well as others the 

 atmosphere of lowland cities. Hence, except in favourable localities not affected by smoke, the plant 

 will not bear exposure. It is generally found necessary to cultivate it under glass, a cold frame, 

 occasionally ventilated, and with the atmosphere moderately moist, being most suitable for it. The soil 

 should be of a rocky nature, ami no stagnant water should bo suffered to remain about it It may be 



increased by division. 



For pot culture in a moist shady greenhouse or frame, a soil composed of equal parts of loam, peat, 

 silver sand, and sandstone rock broken up into lumps of one or two inches diametei*, should Iks 

 employed, and the pots must be well drained* because, as it is necessary that the roots should be kept 

 moist, provision must be made for the free passage of the water applied, so that it may not stagnate. 

 The proportion of rocky material, for which soft broken brick is a passable substitute, may be even 

 increased with advantage* the object being to provide for the draining of the moisture away from 

 the crowns, whilst it laves the absorbing fibres of the roots. 



In out-door rockeries such species as tho present would be benefited by the use of a kind of bell 

 glass provided with a vent at the top, which may either lie opened or closed at pleasure. The use of 

 such a glass would be to retain something like a moist atmosphere about the plants during tho arid 

 summer months, and to shield the crowns from excess of wet in winter. If the aperture, or apertures, 

 were but of moderate size l>oth these objects would bo secured without ever closing the glass, and 

 thus risking another evil which follows mountain plants when brought under artificial Culture away 

 from their pure and airy habitats— that of suffocation from too close confinement 



The varieties of this Fern are not numerous. Mr. Wollnston has communicated the following notes : — 



1. mnttijidum (\V.) is bilidly or multifidly divided towards the apex of the frond, and is rather more 

 lax than the usual growth of the species. It is almost as frequent as tho common normal form, and is 

 sub-permanent under cultivation* 



% Itipmnatum (Clowes). The pinnie of this variety arc deeply incised, very much as in the incised 

 variety of A . Trichomawn ; this however is fertile. It was found on Whitbarrow, in North Lancashire, 

 by Mr. I. Huddart* in 18.53, and was in the possession of Mr. Clowes, of Windermere. 



3. acutmn (St). Mr. Newman notices a variety found by the late Mr, S. Gibson, in which the pinmu 

 were fl lanceolate and acuta." 



