562 | THE FERN FAMILY. [ Asplenium. 
usually rather stiff, though slender, and often small. Sori oblong or linear, _ 
on the under surface, usually diverging from near the centre of the 
segments, covered when young by a, membrane or indusium, which opens 
outwards, being attached lengthwise along the outer side. 
Widely dispersed over the globe, and one of the most natural among the 
large genera of Filices, for although a few of the larger species are scarcely 
to be distinguished from some species of Aspidium and Polypodium, ex- 
cept by the sori, the great majority have a peculiar, dark green, smooth 
appearance, which makes them easy to recognize. 
Fronds twice or thrice pinnate, with numerous primary pinnas, 
the lowest or several lower pairs decreasing in size. 
Frond 2 or 3 feet high, the longer pinnas 3 to 6 inches or 5 
more 5 ; X : ; : ; : 1, A, Filiz-femina, 
Frond not a foot high, the longer pinnas seldom 1k 
inches. 
Broadest part of the frond above the middle. Ultimate 
segments 1 to 13 lines long , § P ‘ i 
Broadest part below the middle, Ultimate segments 
broad, 2 to 3 lines long 3. A. lanceolatum. 
Fronds once pinnate, with numerous ‘segments, ‘the lower pairs 
decreasiny in size. 
Segments thick, ovate, or lanceolate, to 1 inch long or 
ho 
. A fontanum. 
more . 4 A. marinum. 
Segments thin, ovate or orbicular, under 5 lines long. 
Stalk black. ‘ . : - : : : 3 5. A. Trichomanes. 
Stalk green 6. A. viride. 
Fronds more or less divided, the lowest pinnas lai ‘ger, on longer 
stalks, or more divided than the others. 
Frond 6 inches to a foot, shining green, with numerous 
lanceolate pinnas and sessile segments . 7. A. Adiantum-nigrum. 
Frond 3 or 4 inches, with a atid small, stalked segments, 
Segments obovate . : , - . 8. A. Ruta-muraria. 
Segments narrow-oblong . - : ‘ . : : . 9. A. germanicum. 
Segments linear. ‘ . ° . 10. A. septentrionale. 
1, &. Filix-foemina, Bernh, (fg. 1290). Lady Spleenwort, Lady’ 
Fern.—A. most elegant Fern, with the short woody rootstock and circular 
tuft of fronds of Aspidium Filix-mas, but more divided, the stalk less 
scaly, and the sori different, Fronds usually 2 to 3 feet high, broadly 
lanceolate, twice pinnate, the lower pairs of pinnas decreasing in size, the 
segments oblong-lanceolate and pinnatifid, with pointed teeth. Sori shortly 
oblong, diverging from the centre of the segments, with the indusium 
attached along one side as in other Aspleniums, but shorter, and the lower 
ones of the segment often slightly kidney-shaped, showing some approach 
to those of Aspidium. Athyrium Filix-foemina, Bernh. 
In moist, sheltered woods, hedge-banks, and ravines, throughout Europe 
and central and northern Asia, from the Mediterranean to the Arctic 
regions, and in North America. Abundant in Britain. Fr. summer and 
autumn. It varies much in size, and in the;degree of division of its fronds, 
and between 30 and 40 forms have received names as varieties. — 
2, &. fontanum, Bernh. (fig. 1291). Rock Spleenwort.—F¥Fronds 
densely tufted, 3 to 5 inches high, or near twice as much when very 
luxuriant, smooth and shining, oblong-lanceolate in their general outline, 
but the broadest part above the middle, twice pinnate; the longest primary 
pinnas seldom above half an inch long, their segments 1 to 13 lines, obovate, 
and deeply notched with 2 or 3 pointed teeth. Sori generally 2or3 only 
on each segment, shortly oblong, like those of 4. Falix-foemina. 
