TIIK SPLEEN WORTS. 



company it is also often found growing luxu- 

 riantly in dripping sea-caves. 



In the open-air fernery the Lanceolate Spleen- 

 wort requires peculiar care. It does not appear to 

 habituate itself so readily to artificial conditions of 

 existence as the Black Maidenhair; oftentimes, 

 doubtless, the fault may lie with the Fern-hunter, 

 who perhaps has not used sufficient care in re- 

 moving Lanceolatum from its native habitats. It 

 often grows so firmly imbedded in rocky clefts 

 that its eradication in an uninjured state is a 

 matter of difficulty. But when this is properly 

 accomplished, and the plant is secured with its 

 crown uninjured, and its fibrous rootlets entire, 

 careful cultivation will be rewarded by. success. 

 If planted in the open rockery, or indoors in pots, 

 the soil should be composed of silver-sand, or 

 light sandy loam and leaf-mould, mixed together 

 in about equal proportions ; and to this compost 

 should be added some small pieces of sandstone. 



Under a covering of glass, however, Lanceolatum 

 is thoroughly at home ; for such a method of cul- 

 tivation appears more nearly to supply the natural 

 conditions under which this beautiful Fern grows 



379 



