ASPLENIUM EBEXEUM. EBONY SPLEEN'WORT. I 79 



form is overlooked. \Vc may remark in passing that this fault 

 is frequently found in works on wild flowers. The tendency 

 always is to select specimens of extraordinary development, so 

 as to make a " pretty picture." But such illustrations are apt 

 to leave a wrong impression on the mind of the reader, and we 

 have endeavored to avoid falling into the same mistake by care- 

 fully selecting specimens which will show the average condition 

 of the plant, and such as the collector is likely to meet M'ith in 

 the great majority of cases. To give an idea, however, of the 

 more symmetrical character of the best-grown specimens, we 

 have added an enlarged drawing of a pinna from one of the 

 larger-fronded forms (Fig. 2). It will be noticed how well the 

 gentle curve at the apex harmonizes with the main outline, and 

 how artistically the somewhat lunate or crescent-shaped sori arc 

 disposed between the almost parallel lines of the jMnna. .And 

 not only are these parallel lines relieved by the curve described 

 by the indusium, or thin membrane covering the sporangia, but 

 this monotony is still further broken by the curves of the veins 

 on which the fruit-dots are borne. It is difficult to conceive of 

 a design more expressive of combined strength and elegance. 



The variations in the size of the fronds, and in the length, 

 breadth, and general outline of the pinna; of Aspknium cbcncum 

 are often so great as to mislead the student into believing he 

 has found another species. But a close examination of the 

 veins and the position of the fruit-dots will generally lead to a 

 correct decision ; for these two characters are usually constant, 

 and will correspond to the typical form, however great may be 

 the variation in the general appearance of the whole i)lant. 



Aiton, in describing our species, says that the fruiting speci- 

 mens are found in September, while according to Darlington 

 they must be looked for in May. The truth is, that they may be 

 found at any time between these periods. About May the new 

 growth appears, and the old begins to decay ; but the latter does 

 not disappear entirely until about September, by which time the 

 new fronds have perfected their fruit. 



