162 ASPLENIUM SEPTENTRIONALE. 



Scolopendrium septentrionale, Both. 



Acropteris septentrionalis, Link. Fee. 



Belvisia septentrionalis, Mirbel. 



Pferis spptentrionalh. Smith. 



Aspleninm — Spleenwort. SeptentrionaJe — Nortbern. 



Although not an uncommon European species, still the 

 Asplenium septentrionale is a rare British Fern, of dwarf 

 size and rupestral habit, growing in the fissures of rocks, and 

 on loose stone walls. 



We have recorded as localities for this species in West- 

 morland, the neighbourhood of Ambleside; in Cumberland, 

 Helvellyn, in tiie Vale of Newlands, Honiston Crags; 

 Scawfell, Patterdale, Keswick, Wastwater, and Borrowdale; 

 in Northumberland, at Kyloe Crags; in Yorkshire, Ingleborough; 

 in Somersetshire, Culborne, near Oare Church, and Exmoor. 



In Scotland, Eoxburghshire, Edinburghshire, Perthshire, and 

 Aberdeenshire. 



In Wales, near Llanrwst, Pass of Llanberris, Bettwys-y-Coed, 

 Capel Curig, Pont-y-Pair, and Llewellyn. 



It does not occur in Ireland. 



Abroad it is found in Scandinavia, Russia, France, Belgium, 

 Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Spain, Portugal, Italy, 

 Northern India, and New Mexico. 



The fronds, which are evergreen, are from two to six 

 inches in length, deep green, and coriaceous. Sometimes 

 simple, sometimes forked, and either entire or with a few 

 distant marginal teeth, or divided into several lobes. 



The fronds are tapering towards both extremities. 



Caudex brief, stout, often densely crowded with fronds. 



Stipes usually longer than the frond. 



Sori linear, elongate. Indusium entire. 



Like all other rock plants it delights best to grow hori- 

 zontally amongst lumps of porous sandstone in sandy soil. 



It does not appear subject to varieties. 



