278 THE FERN PARADISE. 



9. THE SCALY SPLEENWORT. 

 Asplenium ceterach. 



FOR richness and variety of colouring, the Scale 

 Fern is the handsomest of the Spleenworts. It 

 is, indeed, an exquisite little plant. Like the 

 rest of its family, it loves to grow on rocks 

 and walls, even preferring the latter, and 

 oftentimes growing abundantly within town 

 limits, on barn and garden walls, and even 

 on house walls. Average specimens are about 

 three or four inches in length ; but, under 

 favourable conditions, they may attain a length 

 of six, seven, eight, or more inches. They are 

 believed to have an especial fondness for old 

 mortar ; hence the reason why they are so fre- 

 quently found on old walls. 



The frond of the Scaly Spleenwort has a short 

 stipes, scale-covered ; and its upper portion con- 

 sists of one elongated, deeply and widely scalloped 

 leaf; or, perhaps, to make the explanation clearer, 

 it would be desirable to liken the frond of the 

 Scale Fern to a coarse, double-edged saw; but 



