SPLEENWOHTS. 



75 



division toothed or split at the apex. The lower part of 

 the frond, or its stalk, is long, and so gradually and im- 

 perceptibly widens into the blade or flat upper portion, 

 that it is almost impossible to say where one ends and 

 the other begins. Three or four lines of spore-cases are 

 developed on the back of the fronds, and these, as they 

 mature, run into each other so as to cover the whole sur- 

 face. When in fruit, the brown frond might be compared 

 to a miniature ^' stag's horn," and it is almost a marvel 

 that the fern has not acquired this as one of its local or 

 popular names. 



Sparingly found on rocks and walls in North Wales, 

 the north and west of England, and more commonly in 

 Ireland. It is reported of it that it will succeed in a 

 Wardian case, but not so well if unprotected by glass. 

 Never having attempted to grow it, we cannot give the 

 result of experience. 



ALTERNATE SPLEENWOET.*' 



This little fern grows in tufts of 4 or 5 inches in height, 

 having somewhat the appearance 

 of a starved form of the Wall 

 Eue, of which some botanists re- 

 gard it as a variety. The fronds 

 are erect, and consist of a slender 

 wiry stalk, with little wedge- 

 shaped leaflets on each side. 

 These leaflets are not placed 

 opposite to each other, but alter- 

 nately, and diminish in size gra- 

 dually towards the top of the 

 frond. Each leaflet is notched 

 at the apex, and the lower ones 

 are so deeply cut as to form one 

 or two little teeth or lobes at the 

 sides of the leaflets. The spore- 

 eases are arranged in little lines, of which two or three 

 will be found on the back of each fertile leaflet. 



*Asplemum Germanicum, Weis. 



