8 HISTORY OF BRITISH FERNS. 



lated free margin, very frequently in a later stage become 

 confluent/ and cover the whole of the under surface. 



A very rare and very curious variety of this species has 

 the pinnae deeply pinnatifid, with linear notched segments ; 

 this is sometimes distinguished by the name of incisum. 



The ordinary form of the species occurs rather plentifully 

 growing on rocks, old walls, and ruins, and less frequently 

 on hedge-row banks. It is pretty generally distributed 

 throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland ; and also 

 occurs throughout Europe, and in each of the other divisions 

 of the globe. 



This is one of the species of Ferns which has enjoyed a 

 medicinal reputation, a tea and a syrup prepared from it 

 being a country remedy for coughs and colds. 



When once established this plant grows readily either in 

 pots or on rock- work ; but its roots being wiry, and gene- 

 rally inserted into the crevices of the walls or rocks on 

 which it grows, it is sometimes found to be difficult to 

 transplant. In general the smaller and younger plants may 

 be removed with greater success than the larger and older 

 ones. The newly transplanted roots should be kept rather 

 close, if possible, for a short time ; but after they are esta- 

 blished, shade is not so essential to this species as to most 



