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THE FERN PARADISE . 
9. THE SCALY SPLEEN WORT. 
Asplenium ceterach. 
For richness and variety of colouring, the Scale 
Fern is the handsomest of the Spleenvvorts. It 
is, indeed, an exquisite little plant. Like the 
rest of its family, it loves to grow on rocks 
and walls, even preferring the latter, and 
oftentimes growing abundantly within town 
limits, on barn and garden walls, and even 
on house walls. Average specimens are about 
three or four inches in length; but, under 
favourable conditions, they may attain a length 
of six, seven, eight, or more inches. They are 
believed to have an especial fondness for old 
mortar ; hence the reason why they are so 
frequently found on old walls. 
The frond of the Scaly Spleenwort has a short 
stipes, scale-covered ; and its upper portion con- 
sists of one elongated, deeply and widely scalloped 
leaf ; or, perhaps, to make the explanation clearer, 
it would be desirable to liken the frond of the 
Scale Fern to a coarse, double-edged saw; but 
