THE ASPLENIA 



77 



stalks, and set at short distances from each other, which are of equal 

 size all the way up until they taper off to a blunt tip. The same 

 description applies fairly closely as regards form to its relative 

 Asp. viride, but this has a green stalk and midrib, affects somewhat 

 different habitats, and the side divisions are not jointed at the 

 junction with the midrib, and therefore do not detach themselves, 

 when their course is run, as does Asp. trichomanes. Its culture has 

 already been indicated, but we may add that when protected, if 

 the fronds are wet for any length of time, they turn black and rot, 

 and so impoverish the plant, which, clearly enough, is a lover of 

 fresh air. If, however, the fronds be not wetted, it will grow 

 very well in a Wardian case, but only on that condition. The 

 chief varieties are : — 



Bipinnatum. — This is a remarkable form, found by Mr. Roberts 

 in Wales, and having true bipinnate fronds, the pinnae in well-grown 

 specimens being quite pinnate and resembling small fronds. A 

 strong plant looks like one of the bipinnate exotics. 



Fig. 38. Asp. trick, conjluens Stabler. 



Confluens Stabler (Fig. 38). — In this remarkable variety, 

 which is a robust form, the upper pinnse are confluent, or non- 

 divided, the texture is extra stout, and, although it is apparently 

 abundantly fertile, the spores are abortive and dustlike. It has 

 been regarded as a hybrid between Asp. trichomanes and Asp. 

 marinum, but this is doubted, as no marinum grew or was likely 



