THE BOSHES, GRASSES, AND FERNS. 289 



may often be found in such situations growing in 

 thousands. A rarer fern than this, and perhaps thf 

 most beautiful of all our English species, is the Scaly 

 Spleenwort (Ceterach ojficinarum, Fig 218), which, 

 if found anywhere, will be met with in such spots 

 as those where the rue-leaved fern grows. It is 

 tolerably well scattered over the northern, western, 



Fijr. 218 



Portion enlarged. 



and southern counties of England, but its boauty 

 has sadly interfered with its perpetuity. The 

 silvery light-brown scales on the back of the 

 pinnules have given to it its common name. 

 Formerly, this plant was much sought after in order 



