ASPLENIUM. 79 



branches usually corresponding with that of the marginal 

 teeth. Several sori are produced near the centre of the 

 pinna, covered by indusia which open inwardly with a 

 jagged or irregularly sinuated margin. 



A very common species, confined to rocks and walls, and 

 occurring throughout Europe and in many parts of North 

 America. 



Synonymous with the name we employ, are the following : 

 Amesium Ruta-mwraria, Scolopendrium Ruta-muraria. 



ASPLENIUM SEPTENTKIONALE, HM. The Forked Spleen- 

 wort. (Plate XII. fig. 3.) 



A rare and diminutive Fern. The habit is tufted, com- 

 paratively large masses being sometimes formed ; the fronds 

 themselves are very small, from two four inches long, slender, 

 dull green, with a long stipes, which is dark purple at the 

 base. The leafy part if, indeed, it can here be called leafy 

 is of a narrow elongate lance-shaped form, split near the 

 end into two or sometimes three alternate divisions, or in 

 the smaller fronds merely toothed ; each of these fronds, or 

 divisions of the frond, has its margin cut into two or more 

 sharp-pointed teeth, the points of the larger teeth being 

 very frequently bifid. 



The veins are reduced to a minimum ; one vein enters 



