40 BRITISH FERNS. — SUB-ORDER II. TRIBE 8. 
THE SEA SPLEENWORT. 
Fig. 13. — Pinnae, showing fructification of Asplenium marinum. 
In clefts and caves of rocks, mostly on the sea coast. An ever- 
green, with shining deep green fronds varying from 6 inches to 
3 feet in length. Pinnate, the pinnae being usually an inch long. 
The stipes shorter than the frond, and channelled in front ; sori 
linear and oblique. 
Like the “Maiden-hair,” it is soon killed by frost, and therefore 
requires the protection of a greenhouse in winter, although in its 
protected sea-caves it grows in districts of severe frost. 
Common in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Sussex, Yorkshire 
(the habitat north of Scarborough destroyed by the falling of the face 
of the cliffs), Durham, Cumberland, Northumberland, Westmoreland, 
Isle of Wight, Isle of Portland, Isle of Man, Holy Island. At tlnf 
mouths of the Mersey and Dee; Gloucestershire, Warrington, and 
Newton (rare). In Wales : Merionethshire, Carnarvonshire, and 
Island of Angiesea. On the east and north coast of Scotland, 
and in the Western Isles in Orkney, and on Ailsa Craig. In Ire- 
land : Down, Galway, Clare, Dublin, Kerry, Cork, Isle of Rathlin, 
Arran Isles, Guernsey, Jersey, and abundant along the coast of 
Connaught and Munster. 
It is also found in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Corsica, Ionian 
Isles, Barbary, Tangiers, Madeira, Azores, Canary, St. Helena, 
New Holland, Rio Grande, New Brunswick, Bermuda, and in 
North America. In i860 I found it at the summit of the Vilea 
Escusa, between Reinosa and Alar, during the time of the Hima- 
laya Eclipse Expedition to Spain, and also on the coast near 
Santander. 
Varieties. 
1. acutum, Moore. Found in Jersey, Guernsey, Plymouth, and 
Dartmouth. Pinnae lax and narrowing to a sharp-pointed apex. 
Length 2 feet. 
*2. Auchmithianum, Lowe. A singular variety, with very pro- 
minent ribs on the pinnae. The apices of the pinnae rounded and 
somewhat crenate. Length, 6 to 8 inches. Found by myself in 
sea-caves at Auchmithy (between Arbroath and Aberdeen. To 
reach these caves, it is requisite to have a long ladder, and they can 
