76 



A TEEN BOOK FOR EYERYBODT. 



This species is found but sparingly in Scotland, and the 

 " lake districts " of England, nor is it anywhere common. 

 It is said to grow also near Llanrwst in North Wales, and 

 in the Pass of Llanberris. The treatment it requires is 

 probably the same as would succeed with the "Wall Eue. 

 It is much given to damping off, if too much moisture 

 accumulates about the fronds. 



WALL EUE.^ 



The rue-leaved Spleenwort, or Wall Eue, forms little 

 dull green tufts, proceeding from a mass of wiry rootlets. 

 Its name is well merited, for the form, size, and colour of 

 the fronds resemble little bunches of the common garden 

 ''rue." The tufts usually are from 

 2 to 4 inches in length, but we 

 have collected many a tuft in 

 North Wales which exceeded 6 

 inches. The tough wiry leaf- 

 stalk is comparatively long, and 

 bears at the apex, and on each 

 side, wedge-shaped leaflets in 

 clusters of threes, whereas in the 

 Alternate Spleenwort the leaflets 

 are single. There is considerable 

 irregularity in the form of the 

 leaflets, and some deviations in 

 the arrangement of them ; but 

 the description above given will 

 be sufficient to distinguish this 

 from the only species with which 

 it is likely to be confounded. The 

 clusters of spore-cases are ar- 

 ranged in lines on the under surface of the fronds, and 

 the covering splits with a jagged or toothed edge, whilst 

 in the Alternate Spleenwort the edge of the covering is 

 smooth. 



Though rare in the neighbourhood of London, this is 



* Asv^croium ruta-murarla, Likn. 



