BLACK SPLEENWORT. 
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BLACK SPLEENWORT, ijialf the natural size). 
Asplenium Amantum-nigrum, Linneus. 
The Black Spleenwort is universally distributed throughout 
the United Kingdom, but in some districts far more abundantly 
than in others : it occurs on rocks as a native habitat, but seems 
gladly to avail itself of walls, old buildings, ruins and hedge- 
rows : on ruins it is often very ornamental. 
It has been found in every country of Europe, wdth the excep- 
tion of Spain; and the form subsequently noticed under the 
name acutum is of frequent occurrence in Africa, Madeira and 
Teneritfe. A species very similar to the common English form 
of this plant has been discovered in the United States, but is of 
such great rarity that the opportunity of forming an opinion on 
the subject, from a careful comparison of a sufficient number of 
specimens, has not yet been afforded me. In the absence of 
such materials I may cite the opinion of Dr. Torrey, who, as 
Mr. Boott informs me, considers it a distinct species : the plant 
