FILICES. 



1049 



banks, and ravines, throughout Europe and central and northen Asia, 

 from the Mediterranean to the Arctic regions, and in northern and cen- 

 tral 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. Rock Spleenwort. Asplenium fontanum, Bernh. 

 (Fig. 1276.) 



(Aspidium. Eng. Bot. t. 2024.) 



Eronds 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 pin- 

 nas seldom above half an inch long, their 

 segments 1 to 1| lines, obovate, and deeply 

 notched wich 2 or 3 pointed teeth. Sori 

 generally 2 or 3 only on each segment, 

 shortly oblong, like those of the lady S. 



On rocks and walls, in mountain dis- 

 tricts, in central and southern Europe, 

 extending probably into western Asia, 

 but scarcely northward of the Jura, ex- 

 cept as an introduced plant. In Britain, 

 it has been found occasionally on walls 

 in various parts of England, but proba- 

 bly not truly indigenous. Fr. summer and autumn. 



3. Lanceolate Spleenwort. Asplenium lanceolatum, Huds. 



(Eig. 1277.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 240.) 



A low, tufted Eern, with twice-pinnate fronds, lanceolate in their 

 general outline like the last, but with much larger segments. Fronds 

 usually 3 to 6 inches high, rarely attaining a foot when luxuriant, the 

 longest pinnas, rather below the middle of the frond, 1 to 1\ inches 

 long ; the segments obovate or broadly oblong, narrowed at the base, 

 but almost sessile, notched with a few pointed teeth. Sori 2 to 4 on 



