39 . 
THE ROCK SPLEEN W 0 RT . 
Asplen ium fontcinum. 
Plate G, Fig. 17 , Page 235 . 
The common name of this Fern might appropriately be 
applied to all our Spleenworts, which are essentially rock 
Ferns. It is only therefore as a means of distinction that the 
name is used. The botanical name fontcinum lias no better 
reason for its existence; and it is retained here only because 
it is the name by which it is known to the majority of Fern 
lovers. The Fern itself is so rare in its wild state that the 
claim to rank it as a British species has been disputed. The 
evidence, however, of its having been actually found in the 
British Islands appears to be sufficiently satisfactory to 
warrant its inclusion amongst our native flora ; and it is 
quite likely that its rarity has rather been inferred from the 
fact that, in the absence of a sufficiently persistent search, 
but few specimens have been found. The shady sides of rocks, 
old garden walls and sea eaves are the habitat of this Fern : 
and upon some inaccessible rocks and in some unvisited sea 
caves within the British Islands it may not improbably even 
now be growing in abundance. 
Description. — It would not be inapt to liken this elegant 
little Fern to a diminutive specimen of Asplen i mu lanceo- 
latum. But the form of the frond is more narrowly lance- 
shaped than in Lanceolatum and it tapers more towards the 
base. Its outline is very symmetrical. It is broadest about 
