ASPLENIUM FONTANUM. 29 
rocks near Stonehaven, in Kincardineshire. Thus, it 
has been found by competent judges in various parts 
of England, in Ireland, and in Scotland, and it would 
be worse than irrational to maintain that in all these 
places it had been accidentally introduced by spores 
brought from continental Europe. 
The rarity of this Fern is in a considerable degree 
accounted for by the fact of its being unable to sustain 
our climate, except in sheltered, and thoroughly suitable 
situations. 
To grow it in perfection, and to preserve it ever- 
green, it must be cultivated as a pot plant, and have 
glass protection the whole year, with shading from the 
scorching sun's rays during the summer months. It 
may stand in a pan to receive water, when required, 
but, in general, it should be sparingly watered, compared 
with the generality of Ferns, and yet never allowed to 
go dry. 
Like most of the family, it is readily increased by 
careful division of large or old plants, in open weather 
during the spring months, and being planted in a 
mixture of sandy peat and broken bricks, or old mortar, 
or both. A little of this mixed with the soil is found 
beneficial to the plants, and particular attention is re- 
required to have good drainage. This drainage is best 
formed of fresh broken bricks. The roots of all Ferns 
seem to delight in finding their roots among this ma- 
terial. The pots should, in all cases, for this particular 
kind, be better than one-third filled with drainage, then 
a little moss over the drainage to prevent the earth 
