THE BOOK OF CHOICE FERNS. 



suited for this species is a mixture of porous, loamy soil, lumps of sandstone, 

 and old lime rubbish. A. Trichomanes is particularly adapted for the 

 formation, in the hardy outdoor Fernery, of a neat and pleasant edging 

 where it can take its natural position ; but in this case it should be planted 

 between stones, and the crowns should be kept slightly above the surface of 

 the soil. It is in such a position that its graceful, slender fronds are shown 

 to perfection. 



The Maidenhair Spleenwort has produced several very interesting and 

 pretty varieties, some of which are more or less crested, forked, or branched, 

 while others differ from the typical species by having their pinna; (leaflets) 

 variously cut or disposed in different ways. Amongst the former section, all 

 of which are of about normal dimensions, the most distinct are : 



A. T. acrocladon — ac-roc'-lad-on (branched at the summit), Lowe. 



A distinct variety, originally found in Owsnip Grill, Swaledale, Yorkshire, 

 and having fronds repeatedly branched at their apex. — Lowe, Our Native 

 Ferns, ii., p. 204, fig. 553. 



A. T. biceps — bic'-eps (two-headed), Lowe. 



A variety artificially raised from spores by Mr. Mapplebeck, late of 

 Woodfield, Moseley, near Birmingham, and said to be quite constant. — Lowe, 

 Our Native Ferns, ii., p. 210, fig. 566. 



A. T. bifurcum — bif-ur'-cum (twice -forked), Wollaston. 



Originally found near Maidstone, and subsequently on the wall of 

 Hoddam Kirkyard, in Dumfries-shire, and in Owsnip Grill, Swaledale. — Loice, 

 Our Native Ferns, ii., p. 203, fig. 550. 



A. T. cornuto-ramosum — cor-nu'-to-ra-mo'-sum (having horn-like 

 branches), Lowe. 



A singular variety, originally found near the Clifton Suspension Bridge, 

 and distinct from all other known forms by the presence of a cornute (horn- 

 like) projection disposed in the centre of the forking of the fronds, which 

 are regularly divided into two branches. — Lowe, Our Native Ferns, ii., 

 p. 209, fig. 563. 



