10 
to the edge of the leaflet, placed ou the sides of the veins. 
4 Genera, 
1. Lady Perns. Athyriah^ Clusters oblong, kidney- 
shaped. Covers crescent-shaped, opening towards the mid- 
rib of the leaflets. The detached edge fringed. The clusters 
and covers of this genus greatly vary, sometimes they appear 
nearly round, at other times almost a straight line. The 
covers are almost always more or less crescent-shaped, 
2. Spleenworts. Asplenic^n,^ Clusters linear, straight. 
Covers extended in a long straight line, and opening towards 
the mid-rib. The plants of this genus have generally a stiff 
form and a polished stalk. 
3. Scaly Spleenworts. Ceterach, Clusters linear, straight. 
Covers narrow, upright on each branch of side-veins. Side- 
veins unite and form a net work. Back of leaflets enveloped 
in chaffy scales. 
4. Hart’s-tongue. Scolopendrium, Clusters and covers in 
pairs, one seated on the upper and the other on the lower 
branch of each side-vein, and opening to face each other. 
Plate II, fig. 17. 
Pamilt IV. 
IV. Maidenwoets. Adiantece, Cover linear, either parah 
lei to the edge of the leaflets, or formed by their bent-back 
edges. 
2 Genera, 
I. Hard Perns. Blechna, Bags of spores lying in a long 
straight line. Side-veins of fruit-bearing fronds joined by 
a line somewhat parallel to the mid-rib. The fructification 
lies between these parallel lines. This is most distinctly 
seen when the specimen is sparingly fruited. 
Brake. Bteris, Bags of spores in a long straight line 
covered by the bent-back and rolled-in edge of the leaflets. 
