THE SPLEENWORTS. 



Wales, and Scotland. It does not grow in Ireland. 

 From the crown of its tufted root- stock spring up 

 a mass of little fronds, which seldom grow to a 

 height of more than six inches, though usually 

 they are not so long. The leafy portion of the 

 frond consists of a mid- stem or rachis, on each 

 side of which, placed alternately, are a number of 

 wedge-shaped leaflets, connected with the rachis 

 at their narrowest part, and being consequently 

 broadest at their tops. The tops are irregularly 

 cleft or toothed, presenting a series of sharp points. 

 The frond usually ends in a leaflet larger than those 

 which are placed alternately along the rachis ; but 

 this final leaflet is, like the others, sharply notched 

 or toothed. 



The same method of cultivation recommended 

 for the Forked Spleenwort will suit its near rela- 

 tive Asplenium germanicum, namely, sandy peat 

 and leaf-mould for soil, and an arrangement of 

 little pieces of sandstone or freestone in the pot, 

 or in the cleft of the rockery where it is grown. 



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