THE ROCK SPLEENWORTS. 



| HE spleenwort family is one of 

 the dominant fern families of 

 the world, and is represented 

 in eastern America by more 

 species than any other. A 

 strong family resemblance runs 

 through them all, though they 

 present few of the problems in 

 identity so common in other 

 ferns. The young collector 

 will vote them very satisfactory 

 to study. As a group they may be recognised by their 

 bearing sporangia in linear sori that are covered with 

 indusia fixed by their inferior sides and opening toward 

 the midrib. In size and habitat the species fall into two 

 fairly natural groups, the small ones being all rock-loving 

 plants and the large ones preferring to grow in rich 

 earth. The rock spleenworts will be treated of in this 

 chapter. 



The Maidenhair Spleenwort. 



The dainty little maidenhair spleenwort (Asplenium 

 Trichomanes) although not the smallest of the Aspleniums 

 is the smallest of our common ferns. After the poly- 

 pody, it is probably the most abundant of all the strictly 

 rock-loving kinds. It prefers the nooks and shelves of 

 dryish, shady cliffs where it roots in the smallest crevices 



