152 



is the cvispum section. And yet there is a good deal of 

 *' normality " — at least in outline — about them. The tongue- 

 shape is more or less retained, but the flutings, frills, or 

 convolutions of their margins render them very distinct. 



Referring once more to the illustration of " My Fernery," 

 it will not be difficult to pick out one of the best of this 

 section — cvispum gvande Wills, already touched upon. Here 

 we have form, size, symmetry, and beauty, let alone 

 distinctness. Of other cvispnms, too, there are many. Cvispum 

 Grey is the type ; and thence upward to Robinson, Stabler, 

 Stansfield, Drummondae, etc., etc. These again take on 

 crests, imbrications, fimbriations and even aposporous 

 growths, so there is no end to choose from and cultivate. 

 They are especially adapted for frame culture or small 

 houses, and therefore there is no reason why we should not 

 become a Bolton, a Cropper, or a Stansfield. On the 

 shelves are a few Spleenworts, the best of which is Asplenium 

 Trichomanes vav. incisum, a lovely plumose form of the species, 

 with fronds deeply cut and quite barren. This plant has 

 occupied the same 4^-inch pot for several years, the com- 

 post being loam, peat and old mortar. That it is doing 

 satisfactorily is, I think, evidenced by the number and 

 condition of the fronds — between fifty and sixty. These 

 particulars are not given in any ostentatious spirit in this 

 case — or in the others quoted — but merely as a measure of 

 the plant's capacity under certain conditions. As a matter 

 of fact, in some other cases I have to admit failure, for 

 the Spleenworts are not to be lightly undertaken in the 

 matter of culture. Asp. t. cvistatum and cvenatwn are not far 

 removed from the normal form. Their names imply their 

 characteristics. 



In igo2, I found both at Lynton, and photographed the 

 latter in situ. This was not a particularly easy task, as a 

 good deal of climbing had to be compassed, and some nasty 

 projections negotiated. However, it is a good thing it was 

 accomplished, as that is the only record I now possess. 

 Therefore, in conjunction with the above passage, this is a 



