H 
FERNS AND FERNERIES. 
and the roots often live to a very great age. The Lady 
Fern ( Asplenium filix-faimind) is generally local, some¬ 
times very abundant; it is found in moist woods or 
sheltered by rocks. Black Maiden-hair Spleenwort 
(Asplenium Adiantum-nigrum) : this fern is also very 
local though common ; it is found on rocks, old walls, 
old buildings, etc. Rue-leaved Spleenwort ( Asplenium 
Ruta-muraria ): this little fern is very common on old 
ruins and old churches, especially in towns ; it is rarely 
found growing completely wild, i.e. in the country (fig. 
7). Hart’s Tongue (Scolopendrium vulgare) is a really 
handsome and beautiful fern ; though common, it is 
generally local; it chiefly delights to grow near old 
wells, but is also often found on damp walls and ruins, 
damp and shady woods, near streams, etc. Tunbridge 
Film Fern (Hymenophyllum Tunbridgense) : this beau¬ 
tiful little moss-like fern is generally found growing on 
damp rocks in moist and shady places; as its name 
implies, it was formerly very common on the High 
Rocks near Tunbridge Wells, but years ago, owing no 
doubt to a very dry season, large quantities of it fell 
from the rocks. In some parts of Ireland it is still 
