Jone 1906.| NOTE ON ADIANTUM CAPILLUS-VENERIS. 197 
while Asplenium marinum has been recorded from such 
positions with fronds 3 feet long. Aubia peregrina scrambles 
in many places. <A specimen of Samolus Valerandi was 
noticed with stems 18 inches high. 
A more favourable position for ferns could hardly be had 
in the British Isles. Shelter is secured from winds, and the 
moisture, heat, and shade present form an ideal environment 
for these plants. The fissures vary in depth, and the stature 
of the plants therein likewise varies. Flowering plants 
become very drawn when they occur in the deeper gaps. 
So much for an Irish station where the fern luxuriates. 
Adiantum also occurs in Ireland, on dry limestone rocks 
such as on the one depicted in the second photograph, and 
by far the most interesting station of this description is 
found near Roundstone, Connemara. At the back of 
Roundstone lies Urrisbeg, and crossing this mountain a large 
fresh-water lake is seen—Lough Bollard. At the east end 
of this lough there is a small limestone rock on which 
Adiantum grows. This spot has been thrice visited by the 
Botanical Society, and mention of these visits may not be 
uninteresting. 
1, Dr. Graham and party in August 1838 (“ Annual Report,” 
1838-39, p. 56). Roundstone is mentioned, but no full 
particulars are given as to the actual site of the Adiantum. 
Most probably, however, this particular spot was the one 
visited by Dr. Graham. He notes: “On one rock very 
sparingly, small specimens of Adiantum Capillus-Veneris.” 
2. When the late Professor Balfour’s party visited Ireland 
in September 1874, the Adiantum was again noted. Professor 
Balfour says in his notes of that excursion: ‘‘There was a 
great deal growing on the rock, but fortunately for the 
habitat it is impossible to get at the roots” (vol. xii. 
p. 375). 
In August 1890 Connemara was visited by the Alpine 
Club, and Adiantum was again found near Lough Bollard. 
In the report of the excursion (xix. p. 21) a doubt is 
expressed as to whether the rock noticed on this occasion 
was the same as that seen on the previous excursion, as the 
one seen in 1890 was only a few feet in height and not by 
any means difficult to get at. When growing on limestone 
the roots penetrate deeply into the crevices, and the plant, 
