ASPLENIUM. 139 



This is one of the species of Ferns which has enjoyed a 

 medicinal reputation, a tea and a syrup prepared from it 

 being country remedies for coughs and colds. 



When once established, this plant grows readily either 

 in pots or on rockwork : but its roots being wiry, and 

 generally inserted into the crevices of the walls or rocks on 

 which it grows, it is sometimes found to be difficult to 

 transplant. In general the smaller and younger plants 

 may be removed with greater success than the larger and 

 older ones. The newly-transplanted roots should be kept 

 rather close, if possible, for a short time ; but after they 

 are established, shade is not so essential to this species as 

 to most other Ferns, although it grows most vigorously 

 under the influence of shade and shelter. In a Wardian 

 case, for which its size is suitable, it should have the 

 upper and drier parts of the rockwork. 



Asplenium melanocaulon is another name which has 

 been given to the common Maidenhair Spleenwort. 



