ASPLENIITM AT)IANn:M-Nir.KUM, IT-'} 



Avcll-clraincd sandy soil, amongst rock- work in the open fernery, 

 or under pot-culture in a greenliousc. 



The caudex is brief, stout, tufted, and scaly. 



Stipes often longer than the leafy portion of the frond, 

 dark purple, and smooth. Rachis channeled in front. 



Length of frond from three inches to two feet, and from 

 an inch and a half to seven inches wide at the base; shining 

 deep green above, paler beneath. Deltoid or ovate, and 

 tapering to an acuminated apex; bi pinnate, tripinnate, or even 

 subquadripinnate. 



Pinncc oblong-triangular, mostly elongate, and with an 

 attenuated apex. The basal ones the largest and opposite, 

 above alternate. 



Pinnules alternate; the basal ones situated on the anterior 

 side of the rachis, and much larger than the others, broadly 

 oblique-ovate, with an attenuated apex, pinnate or pinnatifid 

 at the base, the segments ovate-obtuse. The ultimate divisions 

 notched with distinct acute serratures. 



Veins furcate. 



Sori linear-elongate, indusiate on the anterior side of the 

 veins near their base, crowded and soon confluent. 



Fronds evergreen. 



There are a few distinct varieties: — 



AcuTUM, Pollini. (Fig. 514.) — Found by Dr. Mackay, Dr. 

 Allchin, and Mr. G. H. Allcock at the Turk AVaterfall, Kil- 

 larney; at the foot of Cromaglaun, and Glouin Caragh, 

 Inveragh, by Mr. G. Maw; Cahir Conree, near Tralec, by Mr. 

 W. Andrews; Dublin Mountains, by Mr. D. Orr; Cork, by 

 Miss Townsend; St. Asaph Cathedral, by Mr. C. Johnson; in 

 Jersey, by M. Piquet; and Combe Royal, South Devon, by 

 Miss Hoseason. In July, 18G0, I found this plant in great 

 abundance in Spain, especially near Santander, Las Caldas, and 

 between Reinosa and Allar. In Mr. Sewell's garden at Fuente 

 del Mar, about a mile from Santander, a long bank under a 

 hedge was completely clothed with this variety. A very distinct 

 form, and perhaps even a distinct species. Texture firmer. 

 Length of frond from six to eighteen inches, and two inches 

 and a half to eight inches broad at the base. Stipes some- 

 times nine inches long. Outline pentangular, and in the larger 



