ТНЕ АЗРГЕМТА 77 
stalks, and set at short distances from each other, which are of equal 
size all the way up until they taper off to a blunt tip. The same 
description applies fairly closely as regards form to its relative 
Asp. viride, but this has a green stalk and midrib, affects somewhat 
different habitats, and the side divisions are not jointed at the 
junction with the midrib, and therefore do not detach themselves, 
when their course is run, as does Asp. trichomanes. Its culture has 
already been indicated, but we may add that when protected, if 
the fronds are wet for any length of time, they turn black and rot, 
and so impoverish the plant, which, clearly enough, is a lover of 
fresh air. If, however, the fronds be not wetted, it will grow 
very well in a Wardian case, but only on that condition. The 
chief varieties are :— 
BIPINNATUM.—This is a remarkable form, found by Mr. Roberts 
in Wales, and having true bipinnate fronds, the pinnae in well-grown 
specimens being quite pinnate and resembling small fronds. A 
strong plant looks like one of the bipinnate exotics. 
Fig. 38. Asp. trich. confluens Stabler. 
CONFLUENS STABLER (Fig. 38).—In this remarkable variety, 
which is a robust form, the upper pinne are confluent, or non- 
divided, the texture is extra stout, and, although it is apparently 
abundantly fertile, the spores are abortive and dustlike. Ї has 
been regarded as a hybrid between Asp. trichomanes and Asp. 
marinum, but this is doubted, as no marinum grew or was likely 


