THE ASPLENIA 
ASPLENIUM FONTANUM (THE 5моотн Rock SPLEENWORT) 
(Plate IV) 
Our plate (IV) and the illustration (Fig. 30) give a very good 
idea of the construction of this Fern, which is a very pretty one. 
It is very rare, but has been found in several 
places on rocks and walls, though none of 
such finds are of recent date. Several 
varieties have been raised, but it is extremely 
doubtful whether they are in existence, and 
we therefore ignore them. Culture is easier 
than with the two preceding species, good 
drainage and a porous soil of turfy peat | 
with a little friable loam and plenty of ,. 
" E В БУЛ “ір. 30. Asp. fontamum. 
coarse silver sand suit it well. (Part of frond) 
REFRACTUM (Plate IV).—Is a very marked variety, the fronds of 
which bear bulbils in the axils of the pinne. Its history, however, 
is obscure ; reported to have been found in Scotland. 
ASPLENIUM GERMANICUM (THE ALTERNATE-LEAVED SPLEENWORT) 
(Plate VI) 
This is one of our rarest Ferns, and as will be seen by Fig. 31 
and Plate VI, is of very simple make. It is a true rock Fern, and 
has been found in Cumberland, Wales, and Scotland, frequently 
Fig. 31. Asp. Germanicum. 
associated with the very similar Fern, Asp. septentrionale. It 
grows in small tufts, and has yielded no variety worthy of note. 
Its culture must imitate its conditions as far as possible ; thorough 
drainage, porous sandstone mixed with the soil, and as dry con- 
ditions as are consistent with fern existence. 
ASPLENIUM LANCEOLATUM (Tuz LANCEOLATE SPLEENWORT) 
(Plate VI) 
This is by no means a widely spread species, being found as a 
rule only in the vicinity of the coast, where it occupies the chinks 
of stone dykes, the fissures of rocks, and similar habitats to those 



