THE SPLEENWORTS. 257 



2. THE ALTERNATE SPLEENWORT. 



Asplenium germanicum. 



A RARE and tiny fern is the Alternate Spleenwort ; 

 even rarer than the one last described. Like the 

 Spleenworts in general, it grows in rocky clefts, 

 but has only been found in a few localities in 

 England, Wales, and Scotland. It does not grow 

 in Ireland. From the crown of its tufted root-stock 

 spring up a mass of little fronds, which seldom 

 grow to a height of more than six inches, though 

 usually they are not so long. The leafy portion 

 of the little frond consists of a mid-stem or rachis, 

 on each side of which, placed alternately, are a 

 number of wedge-shaped leaflets, connected with 

 the rachis at their narrowest part, and being 

 consequently broadest at their tops. The tops 

 are irregularly cleft or toothed, presenting a series 

 of sharp points. The frond ends in a leaflet 

 larger than those which are placed alternately 

 along the rachis ; but this final leaflet is, like the 

 others, sharply notched or toothed. 



The same method of cultivation recommended 



