THE SPLEENWOETS. 
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comparatively, narrower fronds than the type, and a very 
different aspect altogether. It also is proliferous, hearing 
small plants on its stalk, at the junctions of the lower 
pinnae. 
The Wali-Rue 
{Asplenium Ruta-muraria). 
This, which is one of the smallest of our Ferns, is found 
almost everywhere on old walls and similar places, its in- 
significant appearance and difiiculty of culture being such 
safeguards that it is little likely to be eradicated. As its 
name indicates, it is a thorough wall Fern, and under culture 
a bit of old wall must be contrived for its accommodation, 
which can be done by mixing some broken brick, old mortar, 
and Fern soil together, and planting the Fern in a chink 
between the pieces. It has afforded some varieties, crested 
and otherwise, but none that can be considered beautiful. 
The Forked Spleenwort 
{Asplenium septentrionale). 
The German Spleenwort 
{Asplenium germanicum). 
We class these two together; the culture of the Wall-rue 
suits them exactly ; they have very simple fronds indeed. The 
Forked Spleenwort resembles, roughly, a few stiffly-growing 
grass blades, twice or thrice forked, points slightly saw-toothed, 
the characteristic Spleenwort spore-heaps running along the 
middle. In A. germanicum, the side divisions are forked again, 
and, being more numerous, impart a slightly fernier look to 
the plant. Yarieties, none worth mentioning; the common 
forms are, however, rare enough to constitute a “find” when 
discovered. 
