;o 
BRITISH FERNS . 
more separate lines of sori, which eventually occupy 
the whole space. The fronds make their appearance 
in March or April, gain maturity in August, and re* 
main green throughout the winter. There is scarcely 
any danger of confusing this fern with any other, 
although its similarity to the Buckshorn Plantain 
might mislead a very casual observer. 
It is decidedly a rare British fern. It grows only 
in the interstices and fissures of locks and stone walls. 
It is found at Llanrwst, near Conway, in Wales; in 
Cumberland, Yorkshire, and some other northern 
counties of England; and in only two localities in 
Scotland. Mr. Ward found it plentifully in Somerset¬ 
shire, and Mr. Newman says Poten, a well-known 
collector of ferns, brought hundreds of roots from the 
parish of Culbone, in that county. Gerarde speaks 
of it as a dweller in the mining districts, and calls it 
Muscus corniculatits. He says, “It riseth from the 
ground with many bare and naked branches dividing 
themselves at the top into sundry knags, like the 
forked homes of a deere.” 
When cultivated, it requires the shelter of a close 
frame or bell-glass. The same treatment may be 
pursued as with Asplenium Rnta muraria, bearing in 
mind that no superfluous moisture must be allowed. 
Mr. Wollaston says that it not only requires very 
careful potting, but great care and attention after¬ 
wards. The best soil is sandy peat, with some old 
mortar mixed with it. 
