Asplenium . ] 
FERNS. 
45 
I4es. Frond from 1 to 3 inches high, very light green, upright, 
delicate, about half covered with pinnae, which are alternate and 
wedge-shaped; the larger partly three-cleft, the smaller bluntly 
notched at the end only. Rachis dark at the base only. Sori two to 
four on each pinna, small, light brown, becoming confluent, but not 
occupying the whole under surface. Indusium entire on the margin. 
This species is intermediate between the last and Asplenium Ruta-muraria, 
although of a more delicate and erect habit than either ; its colour also is much 
lighter, and its sori smaller and less confluent. "When once seen it cannot possibly 
be mistaken for any of the numerous casual forms of Asplenium Ruta-muraria. 
The plants sold under this name in the nurseries around London are the true 
species derived from some plants brought wild from Scotland, about fourteen 
years ago, and given to the Countess de Vande, at Bavswater, and from her 
garden distributed around. It quite retains its character in cultivation. 
IIab. — Found originally by Mr. Dickson on rocks in the south of Scotland, 
two miles from Kelso, on the Tweed. Now existing at Dunkeld, in Perthshire, 
Mr. Bishop and Dr. Mac nab. Very sparingly near Dunfermline, Fifeshire, 
Dr. Dewar. 
Geo. — Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, where it is quite an .alpine plant. 
3.— ASPLENIUM RUTA-MURARIA. 
WALL RUE. RUE-LEAVED SPLEENWORT. TENTWORT. 
(Plate IV, fig. 3.) 
Cha. — Frond bipinnate. Pinnae alternate. Pinnules ovate or 
wedge-shaped, with rounded notched extremities. 
Syn. — Asplenium Ruta-muraria, Linn., Willd., Hook., Smith, Bolt., Bull., 
Ehrh., Huds., With., Galp., Lightf. — Asplenium murale, Bernh., Gray . — 
Scolopendrium Ruta-muraria, Roth. — Phyllitis Ruta-muraria, Moench.— 
Ruta-muraria, Bau., Ray, Ger., Plum., Newm. 
Fig. — E. B. VoO.—Bolt. 16. — FI. Dan. 190. — Bull., Fr. 195.— Plum. Fil. 
t. K,f. 3. — Newm. Brit. Ferns, p. 71, not (3 [3. 
Des. — Root tufted, black, very long. Frond from 1 to 4 inches 
high, dull green. Rachis green, except at the very base. Pinnae 
confined to the upper half, from three to five or six iu number, 
placed alternately, for the most part distinctly three-cleft. Pinnules 
ovate, in small fronds, wedge-shaped in the larger; their tips 
rounded and crenate, or unequally notched. Barren fronds broader 
and shorter. Sori dark brown, finally confluent, and covering the 
whole under surface. Indusium uneven at the margin. 
Sit. — On walls, ruins, rocks, and other similar situations. 
Hab. — Very generally distributed over the United Kingdom, though there are 
a few districts where it is scarcely found. I believe Berwickshire is one of these, 
nor is it by any means plentiful in Norfolk or Suffolk. 
Geo. — Most parts of Europe, and from New' York to Carolina, in America. 
