IXBHS. 



slendei ; the pinnas ovate with an iudented margin. The Rori 

 are under elongated iuduaia diverging from the midrib of the 

 pinnae. It is found in abnost every part of the British isles, 

 on rocks and old waJls, in damp situations. The roots should 

 be kept free from moisture when transplanted, and the plant 

 grown in sandy mould, mixed with charcoal and old mortar. 

 It is suitable for the upper parts of rookwork. It is sometimes 

 called the Common Spleenwort. There is a variety of this 

 species, the Green Spleenwort, Asplemum Triohommies Viride, 

 found in Wales, Scotland, and the North of England ; in this 

 the stipes only is dark, the rest of the stem is green. 



10. Scaly Spleenwoet {Geterach Officma/rum). Pl. 5. 



This fern has thick light green fronds, slightly pinnatifid or 

 lobed, and from four to eight inches long, growing from a bulb- 

 shaped rhizome in large tufts. The upper-part of the leaf is 

 smooth, but the under part is rough, with btown fibrous scales 

 under which the sori are hidden. It is found on old walls 

 and ruins, and on rocks. It requires shade, and thrives in 

 common soil, mixed with old mortar and peat. Its other 

 botanical names are Scolojpendriwm, Grcmvimiiis, a,nd Asplem/um, 

 Ceterach. 



11. Common Haet's Tongue {ScolopenAriwn Vulga/re). Pi. 3. 



The fronds of this common and hardy evergreen fern grow 

 in clusters. They are entire and tongue-shaped, being from 

 six inches to two feet in length : the margin is slightly wavy 

 in outline. The sori are hnear, lying along the veins that 

 diverge angularly from the midrib. It is found in all parts of 

 Great Britain, chiefly in damp and shady situations, and on 

 walls, on rooks, and in hedgerows. It wiU grow anywhere, and 

 thrives in common soil. It requires plenty of moisture. The 

 leaf assumes many different shapes, and consequently the 

 varieties are numerous. The principal are distinguished as 

 Orispum, Lacertwm, and MuUifidum ; the first has a wavy edge 

 to the frond, the second a short but broad pinnatifid frond, and 

 the third a forked frond. 



rv. BLECHNE^. 



1. Haed Feen (Bhchnum Bpiccmt). Pl. 3. 



This fern throws up its fronds in a cluster from a tuftea 

 rhizome. In the centre, three or four fertile fronds stand erect 



816 



