~'^'^ GREEN SPLEENWORT. 



We are indebted to our countryman Hudson for fii-st describ- 

 ing this fern with a specific name, in the following passage : — 

 " Asplenium viride frondibus pinnatis : pinnis subrotundis cre- 

 natis basi truncatis," (Flor. Ang. ii. 453). It is described by 

 Llwyd as a species in Ray's ' Synopsis,' under the name of Tri- 

 chomanes ramosum, (Syn. 119); but Linneus, notwithstandmg 

 its diagnostics of green rachis and crenated pinnge are there 

 clearly pointed out, makes it a variety of A. Trichomanes, un- 

 der the name of Asplenium Trichomanes ramosum, (Sp. Plant. 

 1541). Hudson's name has been adopted by all subsequent 

 authors : in the first edition of his ' Flora Anglica,' the word 

 is unfortunately spelled viridi, of course a mere typographical 

 error. 



i«0gra|l]iral f rap. 



Asplenium viride is found in all the countries of Europe, but 

 I have not heard of its occurrgnce beyond the limits of that 

 continent. It is a beautiful little fern, delighting in wild hilly 

 countries, especially if abounding in waterfalls, and shmming 

 the vicinity of man. It is found chiefly in the fissures of rocks ; 

 when sheltered growing to a length of eight inches, but when 

 exposed, seldom measuring more than two. My late brother, 

 who, as an invalid, resided at Grasse, in the South of France, 

 wrote to me that it occurred plentifully near that town, growing 

 on hedge-banks exactly as A. Trichomanes does in this coun- 

 try : the sj)ecimens were correctly named, and I have received 

 similar information from Professor Duval-Jouve, of Grasse. 

 As the climate is peculiarly mild, and the altitude of Grasse 

 but little above the sea level, this habitat seems at first rather 

 abnormal : but this, as well as other facts connected with its 

 distribution, may perhaps lead to the conclusion that the geo- 

 graphical distribution of this pretty little fern is governed by 

 some geological rather than climatal or altitudinal law. 



In the Highlancis of Scotland Aspleuium viride is a fem of common 

 occurrence. I should not call it an abundant fern, but it is almost impos- 

 sible to wander among the mountains without frequently noticing it : a few 

 counties are given below. 



Abgyleshiee. — I observed it in several localities. 



