156 
BRITISH FERNS. 
The generic title of this family is derived from the 
Greek word Asplenon , a name applied by old authors to 
a fern then used as a remedy for diseases of the spleen . 
The specific name relates to the regions inhabited by the 
Forked Spleenwort. 
The roots of this fern are long, fibrous, branching, 
and densely matted ; the caudex very large and tufted, 
forming with the root a bulk 
quite disproportionate to the 
size of the fronds. The stems 
are numerous, brown at the 
base and green above, long in 
proportion to the leafy part of 
the frond, which is divided 
into forked segments ; the seg- 
ments are narrow or tongue- 
shaped, pointed, and with a 
few sharp teeth towards the 
point, their colour is dull 
green. The whole height of the 
fern varies from 4 to 8 inches. 
This little Spleenwort grows occasionally in great 
masses. We have recently found good plants of it 
among rocks bordering the Tweed, on the estate of 
Makerstoun, in Roxburghshire. The little plant might 
have been aware of its own value in the eyes of fern- 
lovers, for it had selected the fissures most difficult 
of access as its home ; and the adventurous naturalist 
who procured specimens of it had to cling to the face of 
the rock while so doing, in a manner extremely trying 
to witness. Mr. Newman tells us that he brought a 
mass of it from Llanrwst upon which were three hun- 
dred vigorous fronds, and at least as many decayed ones. 
