4 BRITISH FERNS. 



subordinate rank of varieties, more especially as the raising of 

 Ferns from seed must, before long, set at rest for ever this weari- 

 some inquiry. 



Of the Asplenium fontanum of our English authors, a beautiful 

 little plant, and a great favourite in cultivation, I have given 

 a figure below. Sir J. E. Smith says that it occurs " on shady 

 old walls, or rocks, very rare. At Amersham, or Agmondesham 

 church, Bucks, found by a Mr. Bradney, according to Hudson, 

 and from whence it was brought alive to Kew garden, by the 

 late Mr. Aiton, from whom I have a specimen ; but the church 

 has been whitewashed and the plant destroyed. Mr. Hudson 

 gathered the same in a stony situation near Wybourn, in West- 

 moreland, or rather, perhaps, Wiborn, in Cumberland." English 

 Flora, vol. iv. p. 312. Mr. Francis adds to the above informa- 

 tion : " I have been informed that living plants were found at a 

 waterfall in either Northumberland or Westmoreland, ten or 

 twelve years ago, and also that it once grew on Alnwick castle ; 

 but if so, it is no longer found there." Analysis of the British 

 Ferns, $c. p. 41. All these records appear to be involved in 

 doubt, with the exception of that relating to Amersham church, 

 where, if really found by Mr. Aiton, I presume it must have 

 been previously planted. 



