42 FORKED SPLEEJJWOBT. 



FORKED SPLEENWORT. 



ASPLENIUM SEPTENTRIONALE. 



[Babington, Hooker, Moore, and Bentham.} 

 (Fig. 19.) 



SYNONYMS. 

 A CROSTICHTJM SEPTENTEIONALE. LinnceUS. 



AMESIUM SEPTENTEIONALE. Some Botanists. 



THIS species, again is, like the Wall Rue, and has 

 similar tufted fronds, but the whole frond is a grass- 

 like spike, forked towards the top, and divided into 

 two or three thickish sharp-pointed segments, about 

 half an inch long, containing on the back two or more 

 sepai'ate lines of sori, which eventually occupy the 

 whole space. The fronds make their appearance 

 in March or April, gain maturity in August, and 

 remain green throughout the winter. There is scarcely 

 any danger of confusing this fern with any other, 

 although its similarity to the Bucksliorn Plantain 

 might mislead a very casual observer. 



It is decidedly a rare British fern. It grows only 

 in the interstices and fissures of rocks and stone walls. 

 It is found at Llanroost, near Con way, in Wales ; in 

 Cumberland, Yorkshire, and some other northern coun- 

 ties of England ; and in only two localities in Scotland. 



