So HQW TO KNOW THE FERNS 



pinnae. In the early days the clusters of spore 

 capsules are covered with indusia ; as the 

 capsules mature these are thrown off, and 

 finally the sori may spread over the back of 

 the pinnae. 



The Maidenhair Spleenwort is an exceedingly 

 common Fern in many parts of the United 

 Kingdom. It is often found on old walls in 

 great abundance. Happily it is not an easy 

 plant to exterminate ; for, owing to the long 

 roots already mentioned, it is a difficult matter 

 to dislodge a plant from its crevice. In the 

 garden the Maidenhair Spleenwort is perfectly 

 happy on a rock ledge ; it should not be given 

 a large amount of moisture. The Maidenhair 

 Spleenwort is an evergreen species. 



Asplenium viride. Here the specific name 

 is formed of the Latin word viride, " green," 

 obviously a reference to the bright colour of 

 the fronds. The Green Spleenwort. 



In some respects this species resembles the 

 Maidenhair Spleenwort, though there are certain 

 important distinctions. In the first place, 

 there is the bright green colour of the whole 

 plant ; this is very different from the dull 

 shade of the Maidenhair Spleenwort. The 

 Green Spleenwort also grows in damp situa- 

 tions, and would not be at all happy on the 

 top of a wall. Most distinctive of all, the 

 Green Spleenwort has a bright green rachis 

 to its fronds, although the stipes has a tendency 

 to be purple in colour. In other respects the 

 two plants are very similar. We notice the 

 same narrow frond with the rounded pinnae 

 set on either side of the rachis, sometimes in 

 pairs and sometimes in alternation. The 

 margins of the pinnae are inclined to be 

 notched. 



