Asplenium . ] 
FERNS. 
45 
Des. — Frond from 1 to 3 inches high, very light green, upright, 
delicate, about half covered with pinnse, 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 color 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 14 
years ago, and given to the Countess De Vande, at Bayswater, and from her 
garden distributed around. It quite retains its character in cultivation. 
Hab. — 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. Macnab. Very sparingly near Dunfermline, Fifeshire, 
Dr. Deivar. 
Geo. — Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland, where it is quite an alpine plant. 
3.— ASPLENIUM RUTA-MURARIA. 
WALL RUE. RUE-LEAVED SPLEENWORT. TENTWORT. 
(Plate 4, fig. 3.) 
Cha. — F rond bipinnate. Pinnae alternate. Pinnules ovate or 
wedge-shaped, with rounded notched extremities. 
Syn. — Asplenium Ruta-muraria, Linn., Willdt, 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. 150.— Bolt. 16 .—FI. Dan. 190 .—Bull., Fr. 19b.— Plum. Fil. 
t. a. f. 3. — Newm. Brit. Ferns., p. 71. not ji. ft. 
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 in 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. 
