ASPLENIUM. 83 



other Perns,, although it grows most vigorously under the 

 influence of shade and shelter. In a Wardian case, for 

 which its size is suitable, it should have the upper and drier 

 parts of the rock -work. 



Asplenium melanocaulon is another name which has been 

 given to the common Spleen wort. 



ASPLENIUM VIEIDE, Hudson. The Green Spleenwort. \ 

 (Plate XIII. fig. 4.) 



This Fern has such a general resemblance to A. Tric/w- 

 manes as to have been mistaken for it by casual observers. 

 It is, however, quite distinct, and is most readily known 

 from A. TricJiomanes by the colour of its rachis, which, is 

 green in the upper part, while in the latter it is black 

 throughout. It is an evergreen tufted species, producing 

 narrow, linear, simply pinnate, bright pale green fronds, 

 ranging from two to eight or ten inches in length, supported 

 by a short stipes, which is dark -coloured at the very base, 

 but otherwise green, the rachis being entirely green. The 

 pinnse are small, generally roundish- ovate, rather tapered 

 towards the base, and attached to the rachis by the narrowed 

 stalk-like part, the margin being deeply crenated. 



The venation is distinct : the midvein sends off alternately 

 a series of venules, which are either simple or forked, bearing 



