SMOOTH ROCK SPLEENWORT. 55 
which are set more closely together, lobed and deeply 
cut at the edges, almost to the mid-rib. 
Asplenium Filix Fcemina convexum is also 
very distinct ; it has more slender fronds than any 
form of the Lady Fern, and its pinnae and pinnules 
are smaller. 
Asplenium Filix Fcemina molle has a short 
stalk, with broad and short scales. The frond rarely 
exceeds a foot in height, and is erect and of a 
bright green colour. Its outline is egg-shaped and 
lanceolate. 
SMOOTH ROCK SPLEENWORT. 
ASPLENIUM FONT A NUM, 
Bernhardi, Smith, Hooker and Arnott, and R. Brown. 
(Plate VII. Fig. 1 .) 
SYNONYMS. 
Athyrium fontanum , Presl and I Aspidium fontanum, Swartz. 
Babington. I Polypodium fontanum , Linnaeus. 
This is one of our rarest British ferns; indeed, some 
botanists regard it as an alien. It is a small tufted- 
growing species, seldom seen more than three or four 
inches in height. The small fronds are evergreen, and 
mostly grow upright; the upper surface is deep green, 
the under part of a lighter shade. It greatly resembles 
Asplenium lanceolatitm, but is distinguished by its 
winged rachis. The sori are two to four on each seg¬ 
ment, oblong and distinct when young, but when old 
