THE SEA SPLEENWORT. 97 
not adhesive, should be made firm about the roots, because it is 
then less subject to alternations of moisture. Unless the pots become 
filled with roots, so that more nourishment is required by the 
plants—and this is generally evidenced by the soil in the pots 
drying rapidly compared with others not so circumstanced—the 
less the soil or the plant is disturbed the better, so long as both 
continue in a free healthy state. If the soil becomes soddened with 
water, as sometimes happens from the drainage becoming choked, 
either through careless watering, or from the plants standing under 
a drip, then the plants should be repotted, so as to rectify the evil. 
No Ferns, on the other hand, like to be kept dry at the root; but 
they should have such supplies of water as will keep the soil just 
moistened thoroughly. A moderately damp and rather shady situa- 
tion is most congenial to the growth of the fronds; no situation can 
be more suitable than a close cold shady frame or pit, from which 
frost is just excluded. The plants increase with tolerable facility by 
division. 
When obtained from their wild localities, the roots of Ferns 
growing like the Sea Spleenwort in rocky situations, are often much 
damaged in detaching the plants from the rocks to which they cling, 
and under such circumstances they require some care to get them 
established. Itis better in cases of this kind to choose small compact 
` plants in preference to larger ones. Once established, they grow 
readily, and may then be increased by dividing the crowns at the time 
of repotting, which is we believe, in all cases best done in spring. 
There are some very curious and interesting variations of this 
plant now known. The thick substantial deep green blunt crenately 
toothed pinne of the normal forms, give place to others which become 
narrowed and tapering, or deeply lobed, or in one instance almost 
bipinnate :— 
1. trapeziforme (Claph.). This is supposed to be the same as the 
var. minor of Link, and also the plant called Adiantum trapesiforme 
by Hudson. It is a permanent dwarfish variety compared with 
some other forms, and is of robust habit. The fronds are leathery 
in texture, dark-green ; the pinne are short, rounded, but scarcely 
VOL. II. H 

