SPLEENWOET^. 



81 



some otlier localities in England, being at the best a very 

 rare, and, as some affirm, a 'doubtful native." 



It is a small tufted species, not exceeding about 4 inches 

 in height. The fronds are of a narrow spear shape, with 

 a short stalk. The stalk throughout 

 its whole length has a narrow ridge 

 or keel on either side. The leaflets 

 are widened upwards, and end in two 

 or three sharp teeth. These are 

 arranged on short branches on each 

 side of the leaf- stalk, the leaflet next 

 to the stalk on the upper side of each 

 branchlet having four or five sharp 

 teeth at the apex. The clusters of 

 spore-cases are oblong, and, when 

 mature, exhibit a tendency to run to- 

 gether, or become confluent. 



We can say nothing from experi- 

 ence of its cultivation, but it has been 

 strongly recommended for Wardian 

 cases. It certainly is quite a gem, 

 and its small size increases its value 

 for indoor culture. Sandy peat is 

 said to furnish a good soil if the fern 

 is to be cultivated in pots. 



In his "Nature-printed Perns," 

 Mr. Moore has drawn attention to a 

 Spleenwort, which was afterwards 

 figured and described by Mr. Lowe 

 in his " Eerns, British and Poreign,"* 

 under the name of Asplenium refrac- 

 ttm, concerning which he gives the 

 following information: "It was found 

 in Scotland some six or seven years 

 ago by a gardener, who gathered it 

 for the Green Spleenwort. The dis- 

 coverer died soon after, and nothing 

 appears to be known as to the particular locality in Scct- 



*Tol. v., plate 36 a. 



