THE SPLEEN WORTS. 
409 
Wales, and Scotland. It does not grow in Ireland. 
From tlie crown of its tufted root-stock spring up 
a mass of little fronds, which seldom grow to a 
height of more than six inches, though usually 
they are not so long. The leafy portion of the 
frond consists of a mid-stem or rachis, on each 
side of which, placed alternately, are a number of 
wedge-shaped leaflets, connected with the rachis 
at them narrowest part, and being consequently 
broadest at their tops. The tops are irregularly 
cleft or toothed, presenting a series of sharp points. 
The frond usually ends in a leaflet larger than those 
which are placed alternately along the rachis ; but 
this final leaflet is, like the others, sharply notched 
or toothed. 
The same method of cultivation recommended 
for the Forked Spleenwort will suit its near rela¬ 
tive Asplenium germanicum , namely, sandy peat 
and leaf-mould for soil, and an arrangement of 
little pieces of sandstone or freestone in the pot, 
or in the cleft of the rockery where it is grown. 
