ASPLENIUM ADIANTUM NIGRUM. 
[ AsttXvjj/ov adiavrov nigrum *. Asplenon adianton nigrum, 
— spleen-curer* water-refuser black. Adiantum was 
an herb* according to the old writers, that refused 
water* or on whose leaves* after a shower of rain* 
the water would not adhere. The second Greek 
word comes from a, negative* or not* and 5m ww diaino, 
to wet : quod folia ejus aquam respuant * because its 
leaves refuse water : yet Brodceus says they will 
take it if it be gently poured on. ] 
BLACK MAIDENHAIR SPLENWORT* OR SHINING 
SPLEENWORT. 
Syn. — Tarachia Adiantum nigrum * Asplenium lucid- 
urn * — bright* clear* or shining Asplenium. French 
name* Doradille . 
The length of the frond* including the stalk* accord- 
ing to circumstances* will vary from two or three 
inches (as on dry walls) to nearly two feet* as in 
damp* shady situations. It is triangular* ovate* or 
deltoid in form* and dark green and shiny in ap- 
pearance. It is twice cleft : once on each side of the 
principal stalk to form the pinnse ; and secondly* 
the pinnse are cleft in order to produce the pinnules. 
In some cases* however* the pinnules* particularly 
the lower ones* are again divided* thus making the 
whole frond thrice cleft or tripinnate. Rachis black* 
or dark brown below* and curved* the leafy part 
occupying the upper half. Pinnse alternate. The 
spore cases on their first appearance have their 
proper linear shape* but after they have burst* and 
have become more fully developed* they frequently 
meet each other* so that the back of the leaf is 
almost entirely brown instead of green* thereby 
exhibiting a very marked appearance. Each pin- 
nule has a mid-vein* from which proceed simple or 
branched veins* which bear the sori. 
Y ariegatijm. — A variety of this name is now and 
then to be met with. Its peculiarity consists in 
colour. The pinnules of the fronds are edged and 
spotted with light yellow* giving the plant a very 
