164 IX. ASPLKXIUM. 
Besides the variety incisum, there is another accidental 
form of this species sometimes met with, in which the apex 
of the frond is two or three times dichotomously divided, 
with a tendency in the ultimate divisions to become mul- 
tifid crisped. This occurs in some collections under the 
name of monstrosum. We have been favoured with spe- 
cimens from St. Mary's Isle, Kircudbright, by Mr. D. 
Dick ; and of a similar form from Quin Abbey, Clare, by 
Mr. J. R. Kinahan. 
A commonly distributed species throughout the United 
Kingdom and Ireland, growing on rocks and old walls, 
and more rarely in hedge-row banks, where however it is 
more luxuriant. There is scarcely anything in the vege- 
table world more beautiful than a surface of wall covered 
with luxuriant specimens of this simple-looking fern. It 
is found throughout Europe, in Asia, and in Africa. 
From the statements of the old writers, it would appear 
that this fern once had a medicinal reputation which it 
does not now possess. Ray speaks of it as useful in affec- 
tions of the chest and lungs ; and Lightfoot records that 
the Scotch country people, in his day, made from it a tea 
and a syrup, which were taken as remedies for coughs 
and colds. Some old medical books refer to this plant as 
the source from which the syrup called Capillaire is pre- 
pared. 
This plant grows readily either on rock-work or in pots, 
but its roots, being wiry, and insinuated into the crevices 
of walls and rocks, it is often found difficult to transplant 
successfully. The smaller and younger plants should be 
chosen, and carefully taken up with as little injury to the 
roots as possible, and they should be kept in a close at- 
mosphere for a few weeks after transplantation. It forms 
a very elegant little evergreen plant on rock-work, and 
grows freely when established if care be taken not to al- 
low stagnant water to remain about its roots. From it* 
small size, it should, of course, be placed in the more pro- 
minent situations in the rockery, where its elegant ap- 
