86 ASPLENTUM FILIX-FCEMINA. 



Nephrodium Filix-foemina, Strempel. 



Polypodium Filix-foemina, Linn^us. Boltox. Hoffmanit. 



" dentatum, HoFF:MAN]sr. 



^' I'ncisum, Hoffmanx. 



'' oUongo-dentatum, Hoffmann. 



" Icetum, Salisbury. 



'* molle, ScHREBER. Hoffmann. 



" ovato-crenatum, Hoffmann. 



*' trijidum, Hoffmann. 



'' lifidum^ Hoffmann. 



Aspleniiim — Spleenwort. Filix-fomina — Female-Pern. 



In the Section Athyrium or Authors. 



Eew Ferns are more generally admired than the "Lady 

 Fern," and. perhaps no Fern is more varied in its seedling 

 forms, indeed this dissimilarity of form has caused many species 

 to be enumerated by different authors. It is elegant, delicate- 

 looking, and easily cultivated without trouble, all of which are 

 recommendations that cannot fail to procure for it general 

 approbation. 



In a species where there happens to be so much diversity 

 in appearance, it becomes a difficult task to describe it accurately. 

 The fronds, which are lanceolate in form, are bipinnate, occa- 

 sionally tripinnate. Pinnules a lengthened ovate, sessile, toothed, 

 having an upright or decumbent tufted caudex. Fibres blackish 

 and strong. 



Stipes terminal, and covered with scales. Pinnae numerous. 



Length of frond from eighteen inches to three feet. Colour 

 vivid green. 



Sori numerous, eventually becoming confluent, and spreading 

 over the whole of the underside of the frond. Indusium 

 membranaceous. 



A hardy deciduous British Fern. Common throughout Great 

 Britain, growing both in moist and dry places, yet flourishing 

 best in a shady moist situation. It is found throughout Europe, 

 Russian Asia, Algeria, the islands of Madeira, Canary, and 

 Tcneriffc; and North America. 



