366 POPULAR FIELD BOTANY. 
does not appear before June, and arrives at maturity in Sep- 
tember. When young it is erect, but becomes drooping. 
The leaf or frond is triangular, acutely pointed, divided 
into leaflets, each growing on the stalk alternately, the lower 
ones being again divided ; they are all neatly cut at the edges. 
The seed-cases are oblong, placed alternately on each side 
the mid-rib, and covered, when young, by a white scale-like 
skin; but as the seed ripens, these open, and then the leaflet 
is covered with a mass of rich brown seed. ‘The fronds are 
green throughout the winter. It is not so large as those 
before mentioned. 
ASPLENIUM RUTA MURARIA. Wall-rue Spleen-wort. 
Abundant on walls and ruins throughout the country ; much 
smaller than the last species. The roots and stalks black ; 
the little leaflets vary in form, but are mostly triangular or 
lozenge-shaped, and are more regularly divided into little 
leaves than those of most ferns; the seed, when ripe, covers 
the back completely, making a dark brown mass. It may 
be found green throughout the winter. 
