ASPLENIUM LANCEOLATUM. 85 
Channel Islands, but I had not succeeded in 
making them grow out of doors ; and even in a 
greenhouse they could not be said to be happy in 
cultivation. No one who had seen lanceolatum 
only in cultivation would know it for the beautiful 
Fern so graceful in proportion and healthy in 
colouring, when growing in soil and under con- 
ditions suitable to it. In its wild state, lanceolatum 
is very variable. In the old stone walls round 
Penzance it may be found in quantities, stunted in 
size, and with an ill-natured look, as if it had come 
into existence upon the barren wall contrary to its 
own inclination, and, being compelled to submit, 
it would at least do it with as bad a grace as 
possible. Here and there, growing in peaty, well- 
drained soil, I have found it with its fronds 
measuring more than a foot in length, perfect in 
form, and in colour a bright dark green. From the 
vast quantities of plants in the wail, and the less 
number away from it, it would seem as if some 
quality in the lime of the masonry was n-ecessary 
for the increase of this Fern. 
