CHAPTER XI. 
THE SPLEENWOETS. 
Plate 7 . 
HE Spleenworts form a charming 
group, many of them being very 
small: but all are evergreen. They 
all delight to grow in rocky or 
stony crevices, sometimes — on walls — dis¬ 
porting themselves in the sunshine, but always 
preferring shade and moisture for their fibrous 
rootlets. The little waving tufts of the smaller 
species conspicuously ornament the rocks or walls 
on which they grow, whilst the larger kinds wear 
their beautiful fronds with a nobler grace. The 
common or popular name was given to this group 
of Ferns on account of an ancient belief in their 
B b 
