F£A\VS. 267 



Mar(;ix.\i. Shield Fern — Aspidiuui niargiuale, (Swz.) 



A handsome fern, but bearing too close a general resemblance to A. 

 Filix-mas to make it a desirable species for transmission to Britain. 

 A. Filix-mas, although so rare on this continent, like Scolopeiidrinm 

 7'uigare, is one of the most abundant species all over C.reat Britain. 



Evergreen Wood Fern — Aspidium spiiiulosinii, (Swz.) var. 

 ififermediuiii, (Gray). 



This common variety ot A. spimilosum which is found everywhere 

 in our woods, is not among those which grow in England. It is the A. 

 Americaiiuin of Davenport, and is a graceful plant, which should be 

 included in all collections of ferns sent to Europe. It is hardy, very 

 easy of culture, and easily obtained. The fronds are evergreen and ot 

 a bright colour. 



Boott's Wood Fern — Aspidium spitudosum, (Swz.) var. Bootiii (Clray). 



This is a much rarer fern than the preceding, with thicker and less 

 cut up foliage, sometimes resembling A. cristatum as much as A. 

 spinulosiim in appearance, and much more like the British form of A. 

 cristatum than the Canadian ; it is considered, however, to be a variety 

 of A. spimilosum. It requires a good depth of leaf-mould, shade, and a 

 liberal supply of moisture. 



Clinton's Crested Shield Fern — Aspidium cristatum, (Swz.) var. 

 Cliutonianum (Gray.) 



This handsome fern is quite unlike any European form of A, 

 cristatum, and in some respects bears a much closer resemblance to our 

 own A. Goldiatium. Its habitat is wet swampy woods and in the deep 

 forest, where it sometimes grows to a large size. It is a very desirable 

 species for European collectors to compare with their own forms of 

 A. cristatum. 



Scented Shield Fern — Aspidium fragraiis, (Swz.) 



There are few of our native ferns more attractive than this ; the 

 deep blue-green fronds hang in rich clusters from the crevices of rocks 

 where it giows. It is considered one of our rare species, but is generally 

 to be found in abundance where it occurs. The Lake Superior region 

 seems to be the centre of its distribution ; there it is most abundant^ 

 growing on trap rocks. The close compact growth of the plant and the 

 abundance of the sori with their lead-coloured indusia, give this fern a 



