i66 



THE ROCK SPLEENWORTS. 



are many stations for it in the eastern States that await 

 a discoverer. 



Asplenium Bradleyi. 



It was once suggested that Asplenium Bradleyi might 

 be a hybrid between the ebony and mountain spleen- 

 worts, but the idea seems more ingenious than plausible 

 since a well developed specimen has as much individuality 

 about it as any other member of this group. Like the 

 others, it loves the rocks and is often able to thrive in full 

 sunshine but is at its best in shady places. 



The fronds grow in tufts from a short and nearly erect 

 rootstock and often reach a length of ten inches. They 

 are rather narrow, slightly broadest at base and taper up- 

 ward. The pinnules nearest the apex are oblong or ovate 

 and serrate, those next below are deeply serrate while 

 those at the base are again pinnate with oblong, blunt, 

 sometimes toothed pinnules. The basal pinnae have 



broad bases and blunt tips and 

 are slightly stalked. The stipe 

 and rachis are dark brown and 

 the sori are as in the other 

 Aspleniums. 



This species ranges from 

 New York to Georgia and Miss- 

 ouri. It is supposed to keep 

 pretty close to the limestone, 

 but has been found on sand- 

 stone in Missouri and Ken- 

 tucky and on gneiss in Maryland. As yet it is not 

 known to be very abundant anywhere but will no doubt 

 be found in many more localities. There is much differ- 



Fruiting pinnae of 

 Asplenium Bradley t. 



