150 HISTOBY OF BRITISH FERNS. 



sharply two- to five-toothed segments. The venation con- 

 sists of a midvein, which enters each lobe of the pinnule, 

 and branches alternately into as many nearly parallel veins 

 as there are marginal teeth, one venule being directed into 

 each tooth. The narrow linear elongate sori are borne, 

 rather close together, on these venules. This is a very 

 rare plant. It has been found in a few Irish counties, 

 and in Jersey ; and is also met with in the North of 

 Europe, and more plentifully in the Canaries, Azores, 

 and Madeira. It has usually been treated as a frame or 

 greenhouse plant. The other names belonging to it are, 

 Asplenium acutum, Asplenium Virgilii, and Asplenvum 

 productum. 



The ordinary forms of the plant are very commonly met 

 with growing on rocks or old walls, and on hedge-banks in 

 a sandy soil. The latter situations, where they grow most 

 vigorously, are often beautifully adorned by their drooping 

 tufts. The extreme forms are more rare. 



This is one of the more useful evergreen Ferns for shady 

 rockwork, as it will grow with freedom if planted in sandy 

 soil which is just kept moistened either by natural or 

 artificial means. As a pot plant it is easily manageable. 



