2. Lady Fben (Asplemum FiUx Fcemma). Pl. 3. 



A delicate, beautifully formed, brigtt green fern, very muoli 

 like tlie Male Fern, but Blighter, and not so tail. The fronds 

 vary from sis to thirty inches in length ; they are spear-shaped 

 and bi-pinnate. The pinnae are deeply lobed, and the margins 

 are notched. The sori are very abundant, oblong in shape, and 

 diverging alternately from the midrib. The pinnae and pinnulse 

 grow alternately from the stem. It is found in all parts of the 

 British isles. It wiU thrive iu ordinary soil, but some peat or 

 charcoal and freestone should be mixed with it. It likes shade 

 and moisture. Its synonyms are Aihyi-mm, AspidAum, or 

 Polypodium FiUix Fcemma. The varieties are numerous ; they 

 are smaller than the true Lady Fern ; the principal are 

 distinguished as Latifolium, Molle, and Orispmn. 



3. Smooth Bock Splbenwokt (Asplenium Fontanum). Pl. 2. 



The bi-pinnate fronds of this rare fern grow in tufts, and 

 are from four to eight inches in height. The stalk is dark 

 brown, the pinnae and pinnules growing from opposite sides of 

 the stem alternately. The pinnules are broad, and deeply 

 indented at the extremity. The sori are grouped in masses at 

 the base of each pinnule. It is chiefly found in Derbyshire 

 and Scotland. A little sandstone should be added to the soil 

 in which it is grown. It requires shade and moisture, and is 

 well suited for "Wai-dian cases. It has been called A^ic!m,m, 

 Athyrvwm, and Folypodvwm Fontanv/m. 



4. Alteenatb Leaved Spleenwobt {AspUnmm 

 Oermamimm). Pl. 2. 



A fern more rare than the preceding, which it resembles. 

 The fronds grow in tufts ; the pinnae are long and narrow at 

 the base, springing altematdy from the main stem ; they grow 

 broader towards the extremity, which is indented. The sori 

 diverge from the centre of the under part of the pinnaj. It 

 has been found in Scotland. When it is grown in a case, the 

 soil should be well drained, for it dislikes moisture. It is also 

 called Ameeium Germanicum, and Asplenium AUernifolium. 



5. Lanceolate Spleenwoet {Asplenium Lanceolatum). Pl. 2. 



The fronds of this fern are from six to twelve inches in 

 height. They are bi-pinnate, and the pinnules or leaflets are 

 ovate and indented. The oblong sori lie round the edge of the 



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