92 FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES 



indusium is conspicuous and at first incloses the 

 fruit, but finally splits into ragged lobes wider 

 than in the other species. 



ASPLBNIUM. Spleenwort. 



The name is from the Greek a, without, and 

 splen, spleen, referring to the supposed action 

 on the spleen. 



A nomenclature differing from that given at 

 the head of the text, places the "species filix- 

 famiiia and tlielypteroides under the genus 

 Athyrium, 



The indusia in this genus are fastened by 

 one edge to the inner side of the fertile vein 

 when in a single row, and on both sides when 

 in double rows. 



Several species of this group are small, ever- 

 green, and choose rocky locations. 



EBONY SPLEENW^ORT. 



Aspknium ebenciuii (A. platyncuroti). 



Frond pinnate, the pinnae sessile, finely ser- 

 rate, usually alternate, oblong, dilated at the 

 base, auricled on the upper side, and sometimes, 

 in the fertile frond, on the lower side also. 



The pinnje of the sterile fronds are crowded, 

 and often overlap each other, especially in the 

 middle of the fronds. The stipe and rachis are 

 a rich brown color, wiry and shining. 



