32 WAYSIDE AND WOODLAND FERNS. 



feet in the Highlands. Beyond it is spread over Arctic Europe 

 and throughout the North Temperate Zone. 



It is the only native representative of the genus, whose name 

 is derived from the Greek loma, a fringe, suggested by the way 

 in which the sori form a fringe to the pinnas. The specific 

 name spicant is Latin, and refers to the spiky aspect of the 

 pinnae. Hard Fern appears to be only a modern book-name 

 that has got into general use by reason of its appropriateness. 

 Parkinson (1640) says it is called Foxes' Fern in many places. 

 In the New Forest it is the Snake Fern, but, as in the same 

 district that name is also applied to Osmunda regalis, it has 

 little practical value. Withering calls it Rough Spleenwort and 

 uses no other English name. 



The Spleenworts (Aspknium}. 



The Spleenworts are merely a large genus of the Polypodiese, 

 but as they are represented in our flora by no fewer than ten 

 species a few words on those characteristics common to them 

 all seems called for. In this genus the sori form short lines on 

 the back of the frond, and are always situated on a lateral vein 

 at some distance from the midrib (Plate 20). They are at first 

 covered by a thin indusium of a slender or oblong shape which 

 is attached by its side to the vein, and opens towards the 

 midrib. The rootstocks are mostly short and tufted, but the 

 fronds exhibit considerable variety both in size and shape. The 

 name of the genus is the Greek Asplenon, from splen, the spleen, 

 several of the species being anciently prescribed as medicine in 

 ailments of that organ and the liver, as well as in " all other 

 griefes proceeding of oppilations or stoppings whatsoever.-'' 

 The Ceterach was the original Spleenwort, and this is the kind 

 indicated by old writers on medico-botany. Some of the others 

 were so little known that they never had folk-names. 



