
202 THE BRITISH FERNS. 
to belong to the Aspleniee ; but we have never been able to find in 
the British plant, though we have in the larger species found in the 
Canary Isles, an evident and indisputable indusium. The dense 
clothing of scales may perhaps prevent the formation of this organ, 
which is doubtless represented by the raised membranous ridge which 
. may sometimes be observed behind the line of spore-cases. 
The Scaly Spleenwort, Scale Fern, or Miltwast, under each of 
which names the plant is known, grows usually on walls and ruins, 
less frequently on calcareous rocks, and rarely epiphytal. This 
Fern is generally dispersed over England and Wales, abundant in 
the West and North-West, and much less frequent on the Eastern 
side. In Ireland it is local but abundant, most so in the West, 
occurring, according to Prof. Kinahan, sometimes on granite rocks, 
sometimes on clay slate. In Scotland it is somewhat rare, occurring, 
however, in the Lowlands, in Perthshire, in Argyleshire, and 
Tona, but apparently absent from the Orkney and Shetland Isles, 
and from the Outer Hebrides. It is found in Jersey. The alti- 
tudinal range over which it is distributed is computed to extend 
from the sea-level to an elevation of about 600 feet. Some of the 
habitats which have been recorded are here enumerated :— 
Peninsula.—Cornwall: Trevenna; Truro; Newlyn; Pentillie 
Castle, Miss Warren; Calstock, by the Tamar, Rev. H. Pinnock. 
Devonshire, frequent in S., rare in N.: Topsham; Tavistock ; Tot- 
ness, C. Scott; Torquay, Miss Griffiths ; Kentesbury Church, Miss 
Griffiths; Marwood, Rev. F. Mules; Bideford; Lynmouth, R. J. 
Gray ; Babbicombe ; Plymouth, H. C. Watson; Chudleigh, R. J. 
Gray, &c. Somersetshire, abundant: Forscote, near Bath, abundant, 
Rev. E. Bosanquet; Nunney ; Martock, T. H. Cooper; Bristol, Ray ; 
Bream Down, E. Lees; Selworthy ; Ashton; Clevedon ; Cheddar, Sir 
W. C. Trevelyan, Bart. ; W eston-super-Mare, dc. 
Channel. Hampshire : Winchester Cathedral and elsewhere ; 
Pitt near Winchester, epiphytal, W. R. Smith; Netley Abbey, T. 
B. Flower; Selborne Church, H. G. Johnson; Breamore Church, 
W. Moore; Old Alresford Church ; Titherly, E. T. Bennett; Botley, 
W. W. Reeves, &c. Isle of Wight: Brading; Carisbrooke Castle; 

