THE FORKED Stt>LEBNWORT. 



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 r&ehis. The lobes are sometimes so much separated as to 

 look like distinct pinme* 



Venation consisting of two or three series of furcate divisions of the rem which enters from the 

 base, one of the venules extending to each of the teeth, there being no midvein. 



Fructification on the back of the frond. Sori linear, elongate, on the inner side of two or three of 

 the few venules, and opening toward* the centre ; towards the apices they are often opposite and con- 

 tiguous almost as in Scolojumdrimn in consequence of the narrowness of the |»arte ; and being crowded, 

 with numerous spore-cases, they become mnlhicnt. and appear to be universal as in Acrostic/mm, but 

 these nro mere similarities. Indmium linear, entire, Spore-atses ronndish-obovate, dark-brown, 

 Sporw, roundish -oblong, slightly muriculate. 



Duration. The caudex is perennial. The fronds are persistent; the plant is. therefore, an 

 evergreen. 



This plant may be distinguished at first sight by its tufted grassy aspect. From its ally A.yermanwum* 

 which some botanists would consider a variety of it, the Forked Spleouwort may be known by its fronds 

 being cither simple, with mere lobes, or forked with two distinct branches, each like its own smaller 

 fronds, and never being regularly pinnate as is A.yvrmanicum. It is also narrower in its parte, with 

 the texture thicker and less leafy. 



As in the case of the allied species, many persons fail to cultivate this Fern with success. The 

 failure probably arises from the use of line soil in too largo masses. Naturally this is a rupestral plant 

 and 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 

 plant somewhat horizontally rather than too strictly vertical ; and to allow the upper fragment of stone 

 employed, to be large enough to serve as a shade to the crown from the sun's rays, these latter in 

 summer acting 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 

 more usual. Certainly many Forns do not need so much shade as is given in a general collection, to suit 

 the more tender kinds ; and the partial shade afforded by a lump of stone on the sunny side of the 

 crown of a small Fern would be more congenial to many of the mural or rupestral species, than 

 a more general exclusion of the sun's rays* Mr. Watson notices that the young fronds arc easily 

 damaged by freak 



