20 
[XXIII] 
^splenhrat ^bmtttem-iTxgnxm. 
BLACK MAIDENHAIR SPLEEIWOET. 
s P ec ^ es ver y much resembles the last, but can readily be distinguished by the form, which 
triangular; the lower pinnae being the largest, whilst in A. Lanceolatum, the largest pinnae 
are near the centre. 
The fronds appear in the beginning of the summer, and are evergreen. 
The roots are strong and fibrous. The rhizome is tufted. The stem is black and shining, and 
nearly as long as the frond, the whole measuring from four to eighteen inches. The frond is 
bi-pinnate, the lower pinnules being pinnatifid, the upper ones serrate. The seed is produced in 
very dense linear clusters, near the mid-rib, and is nearly black when mature, whence the name of 
the fern. 
JaMlxt 
On walls, rocks, and stony hedge-rows, everywhere. 
farafies. 
This fern varies much according to the situation, the lobes being in some cases more narrow 
and acute, in others more broad and obtuse. 
fyltm. 
It is readily cultivated, and is a handsome ornament to rockw'ork. 
£ 
