ASPLENIUM. 65 



near its extremity a circular sorus. There is no true indu- 

 sium, but the sori are covered by the reflexed and partially 

 bleached margins which almost meet behind, and by which 

 they are quite concealed. These patches are at first distinct, 

 but ultimately meet laterally. 



The Eock Brakes is a mountain Fern, choosing to grow in 

 stony situations. It is comparatively rare and local ; most 

 abundant in the north of England and Wales, and less 

 plentiful in Scotland and Ireland. It grows readily in pots, 

 and also in a Wardian case, for either of which modes of 

 cultivation its small size and elegant aspect render it a very 

 desirable object. 



This Eern has been called by several other names, of 

 which the principal are Cryptogramma crispa, Pier is 

 crispa, and Osmunda crispa. The two latter are now quite 

 obsolete. 



Genus VIII. ASPLENIUM, Linnaus. 



THE British Aspleniums are small evergreen Eerns, with 

 long narrow single sori lying in the direction of the veins 

 which traverse them; and by these marks they may be 



